St Phanourios
Feast Day August 27th
St Phanourios - There was no literature available in the church prior to discovering his little church in Rhodes so not much is known about St. Phanourios' life other than the images of his martyrdom on his icon. St Phanourios, lost for centuries in the ruins of a church, became the patron saint of things lost. He is a beloved saint known throughout the Orthodox world, and is often called upon to help the faithful in finding lost things, or helping them find things. There is a tradition that once a lost item is found, the faithful will bake a cake which should be shared with others.
In this guide you’ll find simple and easy ideas to celebrate the feast of St Phanourios with your kids - including feast day traditions, activity suggestions, book recommendations, and additional information so you can share his story so together you can grow to love him even more!
Scroll to learn more about St Phanourios and find activity and reading suggestions and more to celebrate this feast day!
First, let’s learn about the life of Saint Phanourios:
In 1500 AD, in Rhodes, Greece, an icon of St Phanourios was uncovered in the ruins of an ancient church. Tradition tells us that when the island of Rhodes fell to the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century, the new Muslim occupiers wished to rebuild the walls around the city. To do so, the stones from several ruined buildings near the fortress were transported and used to build and reinforce the wall. While this work was being done, a beautiful church that had been destroyed was discovered and it contained many icons. All of the icons were in a state of decay or near ruin with the exception of one, which appeared as new and as fresh as though it had been painted the day before. It was the icon of St Phanourios. At the time, he was an unknown saint, but examining the icon further, it was inscribed with the name “Phanourios” in what appeared to be fresh lettering. Drawn around the saint were twelve additional icons showing how he endured such cruel tortures, ultimately ending in his martyrdom.
Activity Ideas to Celebrate St Phanourios:
Make Phanouropita (Fanouropita)
“Phanouropita” means Phanourios cake or bread. I can’t think of a more fitting activity for the feast of St Phanourios! The faithful generally make this cake whenever the saint helps reveals a lost object, or anything else the person has sought to find, is found. You can also make it on his feast day! You can find a traditional phanouropita recipe from Mia Kouppa Blog or check out these mini phanouropita bundt cakes, perfect size and easily sharable! If you’ve never made phanouropita, it’s a very simple, vegan, citrusy batter, topped with powdered sugar. Just be sure to share it with others, and say a prayer to St Phanourios.
If you are needing a gluten-free version, check out this recipe!
Also, check out this recipe for a mini bundt cake version:
Play “Hide and Seek” Games
A fun way to remember St Phanourios is to play some games like “Hide and Seek” or “Sardines” or have a scavenger hunt! You can also play a version of hide and seek where you hide items around the room ahead of time for the children must find them! There are so many fun ways to engage in these games. Be sure to read the story of St Phanourios who is the patron saint of lost things!
Print this icon and Hide St. Phanourios
An easy way to remember the story of the miraculous discovery of the icon of St Phanourios would be to hide the icon somewhere and send your kids to find it! Or pint it and add it to your prayer corner along with the prayer so you can sing it together during family prayers. You can download the document (page 3).
Book Recommendations :
Saint Phanourios by Potamitis Press
Check out this mini book by Potamitis Publishing which tells the story of Saint Phanourios.
Orthodox Search and Find Book by by Orthodox Design Co.
Although not specifically about St Phanourios, this can be a great activity for the his feast day! Like the beloved “I-Spy” series, but with an Orthodox twist! Not specifically for St Phanourios but a perfect pairing for his feast day if you have a copy! These rhyming riddles will be enjoyed by young and old, and the pictures contain things recognized by any Orthodox person.
For Older Kids:
3. The Lost Saint by Ancient Faith
Age Range: 10 - 14 years, this is a fictional story of a young boy named Marko who’s life changes in an instant when he spies an armada of Ottoman ships. After a battle separates him from his family, he finds help and guidance with a small group of monks. But when they stumble upon an abandoned church and a mysterious icon (of St Phanourious), Marko must conquer his own fears in order to make peace with God and to reunite with his family.
The Prayer of St. Phanourios
Master Lord Jesus Christ our God, the maker of light and source and fount of wisdom and knowledge, the cause of all that is good, the fullness of goodness and the incomprehensible sea of compassion, Who does excellent things and works wonders in His Saints, by whom Your magnificent and All-holy Name is glorified, Who reveals to us the ways of salvation by the knowledge of Your holy commandments, O Good One, and shines upon our souls with Your gladsome and un-waning light, You Whose grace is wondrous through all Your Saints, Your chosen and faithful stewards, to all those who call upon them with their whole heart, who through Your all-working power working awesome and paradoxical wonders, of which there is no number, Who through your Holy Great-martyr Phanourios the newly-revealed, revealed that which was hidden from us and reveals them speedily, Who teaches us to ask faithfully in humility, that richly You may give according to Your compassionate and all-merciful nature, Who wishes that all be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, Who said that “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life”. Do therefore now, all-good King and Lord of all, by this Your Holy Great-martyr Phanourios the wonderworker whom we entreat, bestow upon us who faithfully honor him, an intercessor towards You armed with Your strength, and grant to us the illumination of Your grace, make us worthy to walk in the paths of Your commandments, to come to the knowledge of Your good and complete will, reveal to us the paths of salvation, show to us the way of repentance, that pleasing You through these, Who works what is beneficial to our souls, reveal to us the treasures of Your knowledge, that to those seeking these, we who entreat You in faith, make our heart the dwelling of Your bright Holy Spirit and a receptacle of Your grace, so that with all Your Saints from the ages we may glorify You O Light-giving Lord, who in these is glorified and to You do we offer up honor and worship, together with Your beginningless Father and Your All-holy and Good and life-giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
-A Prayer to the Holy Great-martyr Phanourios by Nun Isidora
Final Thoughts
When it comes to Feast Days, I always prioritize 2 things: (1) Attending the service and (2) telling my children about the feast day prior - or afterwards. Usually this is done by showing them the icon of the saint or reading the story of their life from the above resources. If I can do those two things, I feel a great sense of success! My hope is that these feasts days imprint on their hearts during their childhood and they have a greater love for our Savior as they grow up because of them. Now, if you are able to do those two things, you’re a gold star! Bravo! If you are in a season where you want to go a little deeper and make those connections stronger, I will cheer you on and encourage you on that venture. Some seasons allow for more, especially as children grow older. But if you find yourself in a busy season with littles, rest assured, you have many many years ahead to be able to add more to your plate!