Spyridon

spiridion) (d. c.348. Bishop of Tremithius, Cyprus. According to tradition he was a simple shepherd who suffered in Diocletian's persecution and who, after becoming bishop, attended the Council of Nicea* (325). He certainly attended the Council of Sardica about 343. Many stories have gathered around him, recorded by Socrates, Rufinus, and Sozomen in their histories. He is reputed to have recited a statement of the Christian faith at the Council of Nicea to a pagan philosopher, Eulogius, who had previously refuted other Christian disputants, which led to Eulogius's conversion and baptism.