If you’re in Greece on August 27, don’t be surprised if you see a bustle of activity around certain churches and chapels, as mostly women are seen entering the place of worship with trays of cakes, sometimes with candles, and holding small pieces of papers – the latter bearing lists of names of beloved ones. It is all part of an annual religious rite held in observance of the Feast Day of St. Phanourios – Fanourios in the simplified form.

St. Phanourios is revered in predominately Orthodox Greece and Cyprus, where the Orthodox Church venerates his memory as the Great Martyr & Newly Appeared of Rhodes; a patron saint to whom the faithful seek divine intercession for the revelation of lost things and clarity to those who seek it.

Who Was St. Phanourios?

St. Phanourios, or Aghios Fanourios as its sounds in Greek, is believed to have been a Christian martyr on the large Aegean island of Rhodes during raids by Ottoman or Saracen Muslim pirates, though his exact particulars remain largely unknown.

The primary source of information about him comes from the serendipitous discovery of an icon in roughly the year 1500 AD on Rhodes.

According to tradition, a group of Christians unearthed an antiquated icon depicting a young soldier holding a cross, and surrounded by scenes of his martyrdom.

These scenes depicted the young man enduring various tortures, which led the local bishop to declare him a saint.

The name “Phanourios” is derived from the Greek verb “fanerono,” meaning “I reveal,” reflecting the saint’s association with finding lost objects and revealing truth.

Religious Significance

St. Phanourios is especially honored for his ability to intercede on behalf of those who have lost something valuable, be it a physical object, peace of mind, or spiritual direction.

His feast day is celebrated on August 27, a day that holds special significance for the faithful who believe in his power to reveal lost things.

On this day, believers often attend church services, where the con-celebratory Orthros on the eve of the Feast Day and a Divine Liturgy on the actual Feast Day dedicated to the saint. Prayers are heard and hymns sung for his intercession.

Tradition and Commemoration

One of the most notable traditions associated with St. Phanourios is the baking of “Fanouropita,” a dedicated cake made in his honor.

The cake is usually prepared with simple ingredients like flour, sugar, and oil, and it is traditionally made by those who seek the saint’s help in finding something lost or in fulfilling a wish.

It is customary to bake the cake with nine ingredients and share it with at least nine people, symbolizing the nine days of the saint’s suffering, as depicted on his icon.

The preparation and sharing of Fanouropita is not just an act of devotion, but also a communal activity that strengthens social bonds and spiritual connections among those who participate.

The tradition underscores the saint’s role as a helper and a symbol of divine revelation, making St. Phanourios a beloved figure in the Orthodox Christian world.