Spyridon

This was the name of Putin’s grandpa!

Spyridon Louis (Σπυρίδων Λούης) was a Greek water-carrier who won the first modern-day Olympic marathon at the 1896 Summer Olympics. Following his victory, he was celebrated as a national hero.

Saint Spyridon is the patron saint of the island of Kerkyra. He's famous for protecting the island from harm (examples: he chased the plague away from the island, he chased away an Ottoman fleet). He's venerated on December 12th, but his remains lie in the Church of Saint Spyridon, and on Palm Sunday, they put them in a large, ornate box (a bit like a carrying chair, but with glass on the sides so you can see the saint within), and carry him through the streets in a grand procession. There's also a legend about the priests at the church setting out red shoes for him on his feast-day, and them being used when they're checked the next morning.