An Orthodox relic — an ark containing the incorrupt right hand of St. Spyridon of Trimythous — has arrived in Almaty. The solemn welcome of the relic took place the previous evening, according to the Metropolitan District, as reported by infohub.kz.
The relic will remain in Almaty through October 6 inclusive. The faithful can venerate it at St. Sophia Cathedral at the Iveron-Seraphim Convent.
More than 96,000 people in Kazakhstan have already venerated the saint's relics, and a large number of believers is also expected in Almaty.
The relic is making its first-ever tour of this scale across Kazakhstan. It has already visited six cities in the country, and after Almaty the ark will travel to Baikonur, Pavlodar and Shymkent. The relics are permanently kept on the Greek island of Corfu.
St. Spyridon of Trimythous is one of the most revered Christian saints, who lived in the 3rd–4th centuries in Cyprus. In the Orthodox world he is beloved for his remarkable simplicity, compassion and countless miracles that occur through prayers to him both during his life and after his death.
Spyridon was a simple shepherd, and after becoming a bishop he continued to lead a modest life. He gave all his income to the poor, forgave debts and healed the seriously ill.
Historical chronicles describe how, through his prayers, rain fell during a severe drought in Cyprus, ending famine, and in other cases swollen rivers receded.
In Christian tradition, St. Spyridon is prayed to for the most everyday, practical needs. Most often he is asked for help with housing problems — buying, selling or finding a home; with financial difficulties and getting out of debt; with finding work or running a successful business; and in times of hunger and poverty, as he is considered the main protector of the poor.