The uncovering of the Holy Relics of St. Neilos the Myrrh-streamer

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!

The uncovering of the Holy Relics of St. Neilos the Myrrh-streamer - Commemorated on May 7 (http://vatopaidi.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/cebdceb5ceb9cebbcebfcf83.jpg)

  
Today we commemorate the uncovering of the relics of St Nilus in 1815.

On his deathbed, St Nilus told his disciples to bury his body in a small cave beneath the cave where he lived, sternly forbidding anyone to disturb his body. Although the saint did not seek human glory during his life or after his death, the Lord glorified him in the following way. From his grave, a fragrant myrrh began to flow through a small opening in the cave and down the side of the cliff into the sea. Soon this miracle became widely known, and ships would come to collect the myrrh. The myrrh had curative properties, and many people were healed of their illnesses.
  

The river of Holy Myrrh that flowed from the Tomb of St. Neilos was so great that it flowed down this great mountain upon which was his cave, and reached the sea below, where soon many from afar gathered to collect it. This created great difficulty for the monks at his cell, so they entreated St. Akakios of Kavsokalyvia (April 12) to help. The Saint came to the Cave of St. Neilos and prayed: "O Saint Neilos, you who were in life so humble and quiet, why do you allow these disorders and abnormalities among the crowd of pious men?" And before St. Akakios finished these words, the flow of myrrh ceased! (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtidRDkl3fEIRolQVcNO2E7FKD3zgA1MCN7O0KjjuQm1e8pt6-IMrQO8WHRegQUree7b7mmugMfWgOB0hJyJefYVVcAASVkAUYyoosXinFQ3ECc7O3ZI25SCgE0egfcugJnDd4TFnYNQ/s1600/01.jpg, http://users.uoa.gr/~nektar/orthodoxy/agiologion/osios_neilos_myroblyths.htm)

  
Once, two monks came to the cave and tried to find the relics of St Nilus. While they were digging, a large rock fell from above, crushing the foot of one monk. Unable to help his companion, the other monk went to get a mule and someone to help him carry the injured brother from that place.

As he lay there in agony, the monk saw St Nilus before him. He asked the monk what was the matter. The monk explained what they intended to do and how he had been injured. The saint said, "How dare you, poor man, attempt something so dangerous without the saint's express wish? Take care in future that you do not attempt a task beyond your ability, and without the will of God."

St Nilus touched the monk's leg, and he was made well. With great joy he started back to his cell. On the way, he met his companion who was leading a mule. The monk who was healed told the other how he had been healed by St Nilus. Then they both glorified God and St Nilus. After this, no one dared to disturb the saint's relics.

In 1815, a certain monk called "Prisoner" was troubled by a demon, and he also had a hernia. St Nilus appeared to him several times and healed him. The saint predicted the Greek Revolution (1821), and many dangers which the Holy Mountain would face from the Turks. Then St Nilus told him he wanted a path made to his cave so that monks could go there to pray. He also wanted the Liturgy to be served in the cave church he himself had built.

The chapel built in the Cave of St. Neilos the Myrrh-streamer (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHp6Mju8gaMEhD6Q-aqaV7bSN2PaKYd20Ve_Lk4j1B24JNUGgiWeAvCeVdQsotGyHSQ6P2USZB66bwGs6pZeZ75b9xkGZYpdTIt_nuEOo7YkAfNlWPhk8QBJA7wX1v46UXNUnudBSvfnA/s1600/image001%25282%2529.jpg)

  
When the Fathers heard this, they wished to build a new church in honor of St Nilus. As they were digging the foundation, they found the saint's grave. From his relics an ineffable fragrance came forth. This took place on May 7, 1815.

Then the monks informed the Fathers of the Great Lavra of their discovery. They came and transferred the relics to the Lavra, leaving only a portion of the saint's jaw at the cave to be venerated by those who came there.

See November 12 for the Life of St Nilus.
(http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=101323)
  
"Churches in honor of St. Neilos the Myrrh-streamer in Greece exist in Piraeus, Tripoli, St. Peter Kyrourias, and the Holy Monastery of Panagia Malevi (in addition to many other places)." (source)
  
Regarding the "Prophecy" of St. Neilos the Myrrhstreamer
According to the following biography of the Saint in Greek (http://users.uoa.gr/~nektar/orthodoxy/agiologion/osios_neilos_myroblyths.htm), the famous, so-called "Prophecy of St. Neilos" that has circulated widely through the internet was actually the result of false "revelations" to a Monk Theophannes who was healed by the Saint, but was later deluded in thinking that the revelations in his dreams were of divine origin. They were never recognized by the Athonite Fathers as being genuine, which is why the Holy Administration of Mount Athos refused to endorse their translation and publication into Russian in 1912. For more information, see: http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2012/05/truth-about-prophecies-of-saint-nilus.html.
  

St. Neilos the Myrrh-streamer (http://www.egolpion.com/dat/F0476D85/image1.jpg)

  

Απολυτίκιον. Ήχος δ’. Ταχύ προκατάλαβε.

Ως άνθη πανεύοσμα, της αιδίου ζωής, τα θεία σου λείψανα, εκ των ταμείων της γής, ημίν ανεφάνησαν. Όθεν μνείαν τελούντες, της ευρέσεως τούτων, μέλπομεν Πάτερ Νείλε, την δοθείσαν σοι χάριν, δι’ ής πάσι προστάτης, ευρίσκη θερμότατος.

  

Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone (amateur translation)

As all fragrant flowers of eternal life, your divine Relics have appeared to us from the depths of the earth. Therefore celebrating the memory of their finding, we praise you, Father Neilos, for to you was granted grace to become the most-fervant protector of all.

  

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs, bestowing life!

Truly the Lord is risen!

St. Pachomios the New Righteous Martyr (+1730)

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!

St. Pachomios the New Righteous Martyr (+1730) - Commemorated on May 7 (http://agioritikesmnimes2.pblogs.gr/files/f/324651-000000.jpg)

  
The holy New Martyr Pachomius was from Little Russia, and was captured by Moslem Tatars who made him a slave. He was taken to Usaki, near the ancient city of Philadelphia in Asia Minor, where he was sold to a Moslem tanner.

While teaching Pachomius his occupation, the tanner also tried to instruct the young man in the Islamic religion and convert him. Although Pachomius was eager to learn his new master's trade, he had no desire to become a Moslem. Since he would not deny Christ, he was sometimes beaten and denied food.

This faithful warrior of Christ lived for twenty-seven years as a slave, working for his master in the tannery. The tanner was so pleased by the work of his servant that he offered to give him his own daughter in marriage and make him his heir, even though the righteous one would not convert to Islam. Since he would have to become a Moslem in order to marry the tanner's daughter and to inherit anything from him, Pachomius declined the offer. Impressed by the principled stand of his servant, he freed him and told him that he could go wherever he wished.

St Pachomius became ill just before he was to leave his master. Some Moslems spread the rumor that he had already denied Christ and accepted their religion. Due to his illness they did not circumcise him, but dressed him in green clothing such as Moslems wear. Christians were not permitted to wear green. When he recovered Pachomius traveled to Smyrna and became a merchant.

After some time had passed, the saint discarded his Moslem clothes and went to St Paul's Monastery on Mount Athos. There he met Hieromonk Joseph, confessed the secrets of his heart to him, and told him he wished to become a monk. He lived with Elder Joseph for the next twelve years living the monastic life, and acquiring the virtues.

After hearing of St Acacius of Kavsokalyvia (April 12) (http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2010/04/st-akakios-righteous-younger-of.html), he transferred to that monastery and became a disciple of Elder Acacius. For six years he devoted himself to the life of unceasing prayer, and became the very type and paradigm of a virtuous monk.

Day by day, the desire to become a martyr for Christ grew within him, because he feared that he might have spoken a careless word and denied the Lord when he was sick and not in his right mind. St Acacius tried to persuade him not to follow this course, because he thought that this desire might have arisen from Pachomius's pride.
  

St. Akakios the Righteous of Kavsokalyvia (Commemorated variably April 12, Bright Thursday, and the Sunday of the Myrrhbearers), and the spiritual father to the Holy Neomartyrs: Sts. Pachomius, Romanos and Nikodemos (http://vatopaidi.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/saint-acacius-of-kavsokalyvia.jpg)

  
St Acacius did not want to let Pachomius go, and so he decided to test his resolve. For the next year, he imposed various rules and obediences on him, and both of them prayed that God would make His will known to them. They also consulted the most virtuous Fathers on the Holy Mountain, who all agreed that Pachomius should be blessed to leave the monastery and to seek martyrdom. He removed his monastic garb and dressed in the clothes of an ordinary Christian. He did this so that his actions would not lead to reprisals against the Athonite monasteries.

Accompanied by Elder Joseph, Pachomius returned to Usaki, the site of his supposed denial of Christ. Elder Joseph stayed at an inn, while Pachomius went to the home of his former master, and then walked through the marketplace, hoping to be recognized. It did not take long for him to be arrested and brought before the kadi. He was charged with accepting Islam, and then returning to the Christian faith, a "crime" which was punishable by death. His accusers pointed to the saint's Christian clothing as evidence. "Behold what sort of garments he is wearing," they shouted.

The kadi told Pachomius that he was not allowed to wear Christian garb, because he had previously denied Christ. He urged Pachomius to go back to being a Moslem, or to be put to death. With resolute courage, St Pachomius replied that he abhorred their religion, and that he would never deny the Savior. Furthermore, he declared that he was quite willing to endure any torture, and to die for Christ many times over, if such a thing were possible.

The holy one was thrown into prison, where he was deprived of food, sleep, and also of any sort of comfort. During this time he was sustained only by his trust in the Lord. After three days, he was sentenced to death. The martyr rejoiced, and told the kadi to carry out the sentence without delay.

Bound and dragged to the place of execution, St Pachomius was cursed and spat upon by some of the Turks in the crowd, while others urged him to return to Islam. As the holy athlete of Christ knelt for his beheading, even the executioner entreated him to save himself accepting the Moslem religion. St Pachomius remained firm in his resolve, and told the executioner to do as he was ordered without delay. The victorious martyr was beheaded on May 7, 1730 (which happened to be the Feast of the Ascension), thereby receiving an incorruptible crown from Christ.

St. Pachomios the New Righteous Martyr (http://vatopaidi.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/pachomios2.jpg)

 
The body of St Pachomius remained exposed to the elements for three days, and then the Orthodox were granted permission to bury him. After the burial, the executioner was possessed by demons, and ran through the city, shouting and foaming at the mouth. He died a few days afterward.

Elder Joseph left the inn where he was hiding, and went to the place where the saint's body was. He spoke to St Pachomius as if he were still alive. "My dear Pachomius", he said, "you have achieved what you desired. Intercede with the Lord for me, and for all who call upon you."

Father Joseph was troubled at the thought of trying to leave the area without being captured. St Pachomius appeared to him in a dream and said, "Do not be afraid, O Elder, for no harm shall come to you." Trusting in the words of the saint, he left the city and went back to the Holy Mountain without any trouble.

A local Christian woman, who had been suffering from severe headaches for many years, prayed to St Pachomius and asked for his help. She placed some of his blood on her head, and she was healed. She wrote to the monks on Mount Athos, asking them to paint an icon of the martyr for her. Since they had known him when he lived there, they remembered how he looked, and were able to paint the icon. The woman received the icon, and reverently honored the memory of St Pachomius every year on the anniversary of his martyrdom.

Later, his holy relics were taken to the Monastery of St John on the island of Patmos. On January 26, 1953 the Monastery of St John gave a piece of the relics of St Pachomius to the Monastery of St Paul on Mount Athos, where the saint had lived for a time.

Through the prayers of the holy New Martyr Pachomius, may we also be accounted worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven.
(http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=101324)
  

St. Pachomius the New Righteous Martyr (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVwHUccOnsFJMF-hdpTA3eEcwqbmVR2FtZ8g1L7SxpfK6tTcubhO2thUyTXlYKMm9SxJ5iWU4SPfFqIm5ymVDA-2JC_WpfJXbd_8wzVKbYOxTbrKyTSvBLlX0EEqXxlEmv4pRF6ov0qU/s1600/sel+84.tif)

  

Ἀπολυτίκιον. Ἦχος πλ. α΄. Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον.

Καθαρθεὶς ἐγκρατείας ταῖς ἐπιδόσεσι καὶ ἀγωγῆς θεοδέκτου ταῖς ἀναβάσεσι, καὶ τῆς ἀθλήσεως ἐλῶν στεῤῥῶς τὰ σκάμματα, νικητικὼς τοῦ δυσμενοῦς, πάσας καθεῖλες τὰς ὁρμάς, καὶ ἠθλησας θεοφρόνως, Παχώμιε θεομάκαρ, ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν Χριστῷ δεόμενος.

  

Ἕτερον. Ἦχος δ΄ . (Σεραφείμ).

Ἀσκητικὼς προγυμνασθεις ἐν τῷ Ἀθω, τὰς νοητὰς τῶν δυσμενῶν παρατάξεις, τῇ πανοπλία ὤλεσας παμμάκαρ τοῦ Σταυροῦ. Εἶτα δὲ πρὸς ἄθλησιν ἀνδρικῶς ἀπεδύσω καὶ τελέσας ἄριστα μαρτυρίου τὸν δρόμον, ὑπὸ Χριστοῦ ἐστέφθης ἀθλητά, Ὁσιομάρτυς Παχώμιε ἔνδοξε.

   

Κοντάκιον. Ἦχος δ΄. Ὁ Ὑψωθεὶς ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ.

Ταῖς ὑποθήκαις Ἀκακίου τοῦ θείου, καταυγασθεις μαρτυρικοὺς πρὸς ἀγῶνας, ἐχώρησας Παχώμιε καὶ ἠθλησας στεῤῥῶς· ὅθεν ἀγαλλόμενος, σὺν αὐτῷ αἰωνίως, πάντων τῶν τιμώντων σε, τὰ αἰτήματα πλήρου, ἁμαρτημάτων συγχώρησιν ἀεί, ἐπιβραβεύων ταῖς σαῖς παρακλήσεσιν.

  

Ἕτερον. Ἦχος δ΄. Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον. (Σεραφείμ).

Τοῖς πιστῶς προστρέχουσι, τοῖς σοῖς λειψάνοις καὶ τελοῦσιν ἔνδοξε, σεπτὴν σου μνήμην εὐλαβῶς, δίδου αὐτοῖς τὰ αἰτήματα, Ὁσιομάρτυς Παχώμιε ἔνδοξε.

  

Ὁ Οἶκος.

Τὴν κοσμικὴν λιπὼν λειότητα, καὶ τοῦ Σωτῆρος τὸν Σταυρὸν ἀράμενος, ὁλοψύχως τῷ θείῳ Ἀκακίω ὑποτέταξαι, ἀσκητικὼς ἀγωνιζόμενος, τὸ χεῖρον ὑποτάττων τῷ κρείττονι, ὅθεν καὶ ὅλος ἁλοὺς τῷ ἀκορέστῳ τοῦ Κυρίου ἔρωτι, μαρτυρικοὺς ὑπῆλθες ἐν ἀνδρεία ἀγῶνας, καὶ τῶν πάλαι ἀθλητῶν ἐφάμιλλος καὶ ἰσότιμος ἐν δόξῃ δέδειξαι μεθ’ ὧν τὰς τῶν καμάτων ἐπικαρπίας δρεπόμενος, μὴ παύσαι κατοπτεύων τοὺς σε μακαρίζοντας, κινδύνων παντοίων ῥυόμενος, καὶ ἁμαρτημάτων συγχώρησιν ἀεί, ἐπιβραβεύων ταῖς σαῖς παρακλήσεσιν.

  

Συναξάριον.

Τῇ 7η τοῦ αὐτοῦ μηνός, μνήμην ἐπιτελοῦμεν τοῦ Ἁγίου καὶ ἐνδόξου Ὁσιομάρτυρος Παχωμίου, ἀσκήσαντος ἐν τῇ Νέα Σκήτη καὶ τῇ Σκήτη τῶν Καυσοκαλυβίων ἐν τῇ Καλύβη τοῦ Γέροντος αὐτοῦ Ἁγίου Ἀκακίου καὶ ἀθλήσαντος ἐν ἔτει 1730 τῇ ἡμέρα τῆς Ἀναλήψεως τοῦ Κυρίου.

  

Στίχοι:

Ποῦ πάχος ἐν σοι Παχώμιε εὑρέθη,

Πόνοις ξίφεσι τε λεπτύναντι τὸ βρίθον;

Ἠμματι ἑβδόμῳ τε Παχωμίοιο κέκαρται δειρή.

(http://voutsinasilias.blogspot.com/2009/05/7.html)

  

Apolytikion in the Plagal of the First Tone (amateur translations below)

You were purified through acts of chastity, and ascent through godly-founded struggle, and you steadfastly seized the abyss of martyrdom, becoming victorious against the enemy, deposing their wiles, and struggled in a godly-minded manner, O Pachomios, blessed by God; pray to Christ for us.

  

Another Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone

You first struggled in asceticism on Athos, and trampled upon the ranks of the noetic enemies through the full armor of the Cross, O blessed one, Then you proceeded towards martyrdom manfully, and completed the road perfectly, being crowned by Christ, O glorious champion, Pachomios the Righteous Martyr.

  

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone

Through the counsels of the divine Akakios, you were enlightened, and you fled towards the struggle of Martyrdom, O Pachomios, and struggled steadfastly. Therefore, you rejoice with him eternally, and you fulfill the requests of all those who honor you, that they might ever be granted forgiveness of sins through your prayers.

  

Another Kontakion in Fourth Tone

For those who hasten to your Relics, and celebrate your sacred memory with piety, grant their requests, O glorious Righteous Martyr Pachomios.

  

Oikos

Abandoning the guile of the worldly life, and taking up the Cross of the Savior, you submitted yourself to the divine Akakios with your whole soul, and struggled ascetically, the lower submitting to the greater, and therefore being filled with eros for the Lord, you pursued the martyrical struggle with manliness, and were shown to be equal in glory to the former champions, and sharing of their fruits. Do not cease to visit those who bless you, delivering them from every danger, that they might ever be granted forgiveness of sins through your prayers.

  

Synaxarion

On the seventh of this month (May), we commemorate the memory of the Holy and glorious Righteous Martyr Pachomios, who struggled on the Holy Mountain in the New Skete and the Skete of Kavsokalyvia under St. Akakios, and was martyred in the year 1730, the day of the Ascension of the Lord.

  

St. Pachomius the New Righteous Martyr (source)

   

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs, bestowing life!

Truly the Lord is risen!

All Saints of Eurytania, Greece

I thought to continue a series of posts, each highlighting a region of the world and its local Saints. As is clear, the light of Christ has reached the farthest reaches of the earth, and thus, there is not one area which has not produced, as fruit of the Holy Spirit, Orthodox Saints. The following is regarding a region in central Greece called Eurytani. Also note, if you are have a preference for information about Saints from a region of your interest, please post to let me know, and I will do what I can to provide what info I can gather online. May Christ have mercy on us all and save us, through the prayers of our Holy Fathers!
  

Synaxis of All Saints of Eurytania (http://www.saint.gr/4098/saint.aspx)

 
The feast of the Saints of Eurytania was instituted with the permission of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece in 1971, and is celebrated the last Sunday of August each year.

The Saints include:

• St. Andrew the Hermit and Wonderworker - May 15
• St. Michael Mavroudes - Thursday of Bright Week
• St. Damian the Monk - February 14
• St. Seraphim the New Hieromartyr - December 4
• St. Nicholas the Grocer, the New Martyr from Karpenesi - September 23
• St. Cyprian the New Righteous Martyr - July 5
• St. Romanos the New Righteous Martyr - January 5 / February 16
• St. Akakios the New of Kavsokalyvia - April 4 / Sunday of the Myrrhbearers
• St. Gerasimos the New of Karpenesi - July 3
• St. Eugenios Aitolos - August 5
• St. Kosmas Aitolos - August 24
• St. John the New Martyr of the Hagarenes - September 23

(12 in total)
(http://www.saint.gr/4098/saint.aspx)

All Saints of Eurytania (http://www.saint.gr/4098/saint.aspx)

  
See the following link for the website of a church of All Saints of Eurytania, with more information about each of the Saints: http://www.evrytanesagioi.gr/index.htm.

    

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

St. Akakios the Righteous (the Younger) of Kavsokalyvia

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!

St. Akakios the Righteous (the Younger) of Kavsokalyvia - Commemorated on April 12 (Note that he is commemorated on Bright Thrusday in the Saint's home village of Goltza, Agrapha, while he is commemorated on the Sunday of the Myrrhbearers in Kavsokalyvia, because that was the day of his dormition. He is also commemorated on the First Sunday in October as one of the seven Righteous Saints of Kavsokalyvia) (http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=101069, http://www.agion-oros.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=92&Itemid=48&lang=gr)

"Saint Acacius the New was a monk at the Holy Trinity monastery of St Dionysius of Olympus (January 24) at Zagora. After visiting several monasteries on Mount Athos, the saint on the advice of his father-confessor, Father Galacteon, settled in the skete monastery of St Maximus the Hut-Burner ("Kavsokalyvites", January 13), who repeatedly appeared to the ascetic.

The exploits of St Acacius were extremely severe: in place of bread he ate dry grass, which he crushed with a piece of marble. When asked how much a monk ought to sleep, he said that for a true monk half an hour even was sufficient. He said, "In order to conquer the flesh, a monk must practice two virtues: fasting and vigil." In spite of his age and illness, he was an example of this.

Once, when St Acacius had come on a Sunday to the skete church, the igumen Neophytus handed him his own staff and said, "Father, take the staff, and be the Superior for all these brethren until your last breath." St Acacius kissed the hand of the igumen, and accepted the staff with all humility. Although previously he had walked with a staff because of his age, from that time forward the righteous one no longer held a staff in his hand.

[St. Akakios was a spiritual guide to no less than three New Martyrs: St. Romanos (January 5th, see: http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2010/01/st-romanos-new-righteous-martyr-1694.html), St. Pachomios (May 7th or 21st, see: http://ancientfaith.com/podcasts/saintoftheday/may_21_-_holy_new_martyr_pachomius) and St. Nikodemos (July 11th)]

For his exalted exploits St Acacius was granted the gifts of unceasing mental prayer and divine revelations. He fell asleep in the Lord on April 12, 1730, being nearly a hundred years old."
(http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=101069)

The Cave of St. Akakios, Kavsokalyvia, Mount Athos. The wooden sticks lying horizontally were his bed, while the stick leaning against the rear of the cave is an ascetic tool to keep vigil at night (http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/19815390.jpg)

The Holy Water of St. Akakios (amateur translation/summary)
The Skete of the Holy Trinity, Kavsokalyvia, is located in a very remote location of the Holy Mountain. The Fathers there had long depended on collecting rain water for use within the Skete. However, at the prayers of St. Akakios, a better solution was found.

A man who was adept at digging wells left for the Skete to become a monk. After prayer to the Most-Holy Trinity, St. Akakios told this man to dig at a certain spot so that they would find water. This man tried three or four times to perform this excavation, but each time it would collapse (due to the work of the demons, according to St. Akakios). But the Saint prayed, and it finally began to hold. Soon, they uncovered an incredibly clean spring of water to satisfy their uses. This spring is since known in Kavsokalyvia as the "Holy Water of St. Akakios"

Icon from the Phiale of Gregoriou Monastery, showing St. Akakios praying, and the miraculous spring of water (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NSATyizRRsAn4oGxsWGcLVUcEOcoeg6npwYxNaN5msSSGwJKF-ZycLdJRY4R86jLFIk0dr1-0I13fubS8y1MlHWDvnlWAj838SvXVm5w2nwYlvAgW6htu8dNo-zddeOC69SoFOiRba5t/s1600/11.+St.+Aniketos,+St.+Akakios+of+Kavsokalyvia,+St.+Sampson.jpg)

The Fathers of the Skete, in gratitude to the Most-Holy Trinity for granting them water, named their Katholikon, or main church after the Holy Trinity.
(taken from the full life of the Saint in Greek here: http://users.uoa.gr/~nektar/orthodoxy/agiologion/osios_akakios_kaysokalybiths.htm)
 
For a wonderful video of Fr. Patapios of Kavsokalyvia discussing the life of St. Akakios and giving a tour of his Kalyve (in Greek), see here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gztadrFqz3U.
 

St. Akakios the Righteous of Kavsokalyvia (http://vatopaidi.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/saint-acacius-of-kavsokalyvia.jpg)

Ἀπολυτίκιον. Ἦχος πλ. α’. Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον.

Ἀκακίᾳ ἐμπρέπων Πάτερ Ἀκάκιε, καὶ λαμπρότητι βίου ἀστὴρ ὡς πάμφωτος, τῶν Ὁσίων μιμητὴς τῶν πάλαι γέγονας, καὶ χαρισμάτων θεϊκῶν, δαψιλῶς ἀξιωθείς, μὴ παύσῃ καθικετεύων, τὴν Παναγίαν Τριάδα, διδόναι πᾶσι τὸ θεῖον ἔλεος.

Apolytikion in the Plagal of the First Tone (amateur translation)
O Father Akakios, you were majestically good***, and shone in your life as an all-bright star, for you become an imitator of the former Righteous ones, and were made worthy to profusely receive divine gifts, do not cease to entreat the All-Holy Trinity, to grant to all the divine mercy.

Κοντάκιον. Ἦχος δ’. Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον.

Ἐπεφάνης Ὅσιε τῇ Ἐκκλησίᾳ, ὡς ἀστὴρ νεόφωτος, καταλαμπρύνων τηλαυγῶς, τῶν Ὀρθοδόξων τὸ πλήρωμα, τοῖς σοῖς ἀγῶσι, παμμάκαρ Ἀκάκιε.

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone (amateur translation)
You have appeared, O Righteous one, to the Church as a newly-radiant star, clearly illumining the fullness of the Orthodox, with your struggles, O all-blessed Akakios.

Μεγαλυνάριον.

Χαίροις τῶν Ὁσίων ὁ κοινωνός, καὶ τῶν Μοναζόντων, ἀπλανέστατος ὁδηγός· χαίροις ἀκακίας, κατάκαρπος ἐλαία, Ἀκάκιε παμμάκαρ, Ἄθωνος καύχημα.

(http://synaxarion.gr/gr/sid/2637/sxsaintinfo.aspx)

Megalynarion (amateur translation)
Hail O companion of the Righteous, and the most unerring guide of Monastics, hail O most-fruitful olive tree of goodness***, O all-blessed Akakios, the boast of Athos.
  
***The name "Akakios" means without any evil, innocent, good.
  

Icon depicting the Synaxis of All Saints of Kavsokalyvia (source)

  

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs, bestowing life!

Truly the Lord is risen!

St. Maximos Kavsokalyvites ("The Hut-burner")

St. Maximos Kavsokalyvites ("The Hut-burner") - Commemorated on January 13th (icon taken from: http://christopherklitou.com/icon_13_jan_maximus_causokalyvites.htm)

"Saint Maximus Kavsokalyvites was educated at the church of the Most Holy Theotokos at Lampsakos. At seventeen years of age he left his parental home, became a monk, and passed his obedience under Elder Mark, the finest spiritual instructor in Macedonia. After the death of his teacher, the saint pursued asceticism under the guidance of several desert Fathers of extremely strict life. Arriving in Constantinople, St Maximus was constantly at the Blachernae church of the Most Holy Theotokos, as though he had taken up his abode at the entrance.


From his youth, St Maximus had a great love for the Mother of God. He persistently entreated Her to grant him the gift of unceasing mental prayer. One day, as he was venerating her icon, he felt a warmth and a flame enter his heart from the icon. It did not burn him, but he felt a certain sweetness and contrition within. From that time, his heart began to repeat the Jesus Prayer of itself. In this way, the Virgin Theotokos fulfilled his request.

The Most-Holy Theotokos and Christ appearing to St. Maximos (http://agioritikesmnimes.pblogs.gr/files/f/197213-03.JPG)

  

St Maximus fulfilled his obedience in the Lavra of St Athanasius on Mt. Athos. In order to conceal his ascetic deeds of fasting and prayer, and to avoid celebrity, he behaved like a fool. One day, he had a vision of the Mother of God, who told him to ascend the mountain. On the summit of the Holy Mountain, he prayed for three days and nights. Again, the Most Holy Theotokos appeared to him surrounded by angels, and holding Her divine Son in Her arms.

Prostrating himself, the saint heard the All-Holy Virgin speak to him, "Receive the gift against demons... and settle at the foot of Athos, for this is the will of My Son." She told him that he would ascend the heights of virtue, and become a teacher and guide for many. Then, since he had not eaten for several days, a heavenly bread was given to him. As soon as he put it in his mouth, he was surrounded by divine light, and he saw the Mother of God ascending into Heaven.

 St. Maximos the Righteous burning his hut (taken from: http://misha.pblogs.gr/2010/01/o-latinofronas-kakokindynos-kai-o-osios-maximos.html)

St Maximus told his vision to a certain Elder living by the church of the holy Prophet Elias at Carmel. He was skeptical, but the saint turned his disbelief to good. He pretended to be slightly crazy in order to conceal his prodigious ascetic deeds, privations, his hardship and solitude. St Maximus did not live in a permanent abode, but wandered from place to place like a lunatic. Whenever he moved, he would burn his hut down. Therefore, he was called "Kavsokalyvites," or "Hut Burner."

St. Maximos building and burning his hut, from the Kyriakon of the Skete of the Holy Trinity, Kavsokalyvia (http://www.athosmemory.com/index.php?option=com_fotothiki&Itemid=75&func=detail&id=18820)

  

Those on the Holy Mountain, knowing of the extreme deprivations and sorrows of St Maximus, for a long time regarded him with contempt, even though he had attained the height and perfection of spiritual life. When St Gregory of Sinai (August 8) arrived on Athos, he encountered the holy fool. After speaking to him, he began to call him an earthly angel. St Gregory persuaded St Maximus to stop behaving like a fool and to live in one place so that others might benefit from his spiritual experience. Heeding the words of St Gregory and the advice of other Elders, St Maximus selected a permanent dwelling in a cave near the renowned Elder Isaiah.

[For an excerpt from the conversation between St. Gregory and St. Maximos, see: http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2010/01/saint-maximus-kavsokalyvites-on-noetic.html.]

Knowing of his gift of clairvoyance, the Byzantine Emperors John Paleologos (1341-1376) and John Kantakouzenos (1341-1355) visited him and were surprised by the fulfillment of his predictions. Theophanes, the igumen of Vatopedi monastery, wrote about St Maximus: "I invoke God as my witness, that I myself saw several of his miracles. Once, for instance, I saw him travel through the air from one place to another. I listened as he made a prediction concerning me, that first I would be an igumen, and then Metropolitan of Ochrid. He even revealed to me how I would suffer for the Church."

More icons of St. Maximos from Kavsokalyvia: (left to right) St. Maximos flying through the air, St. Maximos' prophesies to the Emperors, and St. Maximos meeting with St. Gregory of Sinai (http://www.athosmemory.com/index.php?option=com_fotothiki&Itemid=75&func=detail&id=18809)

   

St Maximus abandoned his solitude only just before his death, and settled near the Lavra of St Athanasius, where he surrendered his soul to the Lord at 95 years of age (+ 1354). After his death, as in life, St Maximus was glorified by many miracles."

(taken from: http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=100171)

Icon of Saints from the Holy Mountain (St. Maximos is depicted in the center of the front row, next to Sts. Peter and Athanasios of the Holy Mountain) (taken from: http://vatopaidi.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/agioreites-agioi.jpg)

St. Maximos and Akyndinos (amateur translation)
One day some monks from the Lavra went to the Righteous one, for reasons of interest, and with them went a lay person.


As soon as the Righteous one saw him from afar, he sent him away from afar calling him Most-harmless [Ακινδυνάτος¹] and faithless, despite the fact that he didn’t know him before, but only from that time [he saw him].


For the Saint offered much against Akyndinos², and named him dangerously-evil [κακοκίνδυνον], demonic, a communicant with every heresy and servant of the Antichrist. Therefore, heretics as this, he would drive away and anathematized them with boldness.


(from the book of the Righteous St. Maximos the Hut-Burner, written by the Righteous Theophanes Bishop of Peritheoriou and later published? [μεταγραφέντα] by the Righteous St. Nikodemos of the Holy Mountain; amateur translation from the Greek text: http://misha.pblogs.gr/2010/01/o-latinofronas-kakokindynos-kai-o-osios-maximos.html)

¹ St. Maximos calling him "Ακινδυνάτος" is using a superlative version of his name (which he knew miraculously through the Holy Spirit) most likely in a negative connotation, but I can't find a translation that accurately reflects this.
² Gregory Akyndinos (ca. 1300-1348) “was involved in the theological dispute surrounding the doctrine of Uncreated Light between [St.] Gregory Palamas and Barlaam of Calabria in the 1340s. A student of Palamas', he mediated between the two from 1337, warning Barlaam in 1340 that his attempts against his doctrine would be futile, but from 1341 he became critical of Palamism, denouncing it as Messalianism, and came to be Palamas' most dangerous adversary after Barlaam's return to Calabria. He was excommunicated at the council of Constantinople of 1347 and died in exile…” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_Acindynus)


[Note: From this we can glean both the great grace given to St. Maximos, as he knew a person he had never seen before and recognized his false beliefs, and the great zeal the Saint had for true Orthodox dogma. Let it be clear that St. Maximos is not showing any hatred towards Akyndinos as a person, but dispassionate, righteous anger against the heresy that he would espouse. St. Paul gives St. Titus the same admonitions: "Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned" (Titus 3:10-11).]

Icon of Panagia of the Holy Mountain, Mount Athos (Icon courtesy of www.eikonografos.com used with permission)

Divine Vision of St. Akakios of Kavsokalyvia (amateur translation)
St. Akakios [April 12th], as is mentioned by his successor Fr. Ionas, saw St. Maximos Kavsokalyvites during the time of the Holy Service in the Kyriakon, censing holding a priestly stole, censing around the Church and the Fathers, and following him were another forty venerable-looking and righteous ones with their epanokalymmavchos [monastic head covering].


When St. Akakios saw this, he asked St. Maximos: “Who are these, who are following you censing?” And he came and responded that they are those saved through St. Maximos the Righteous from the area of Kavsokalyvia.
   

St. Akakios beholding a vision of St. Maximos Kavsokalyvites (source)

   
The history-writer of the Kyriakon of this Skete, in the Narthex of the church has depicted, in confirmation of the revelation of St. Akakios, the following Saints in turn: Sts. Athanasios the founder of Megiste Lavra, Peter the Athonite, Neilos the Righteous, on the lower part, Maximos, Nephon the Righteous and others kneeling, along with the Righteous Akakios the New, before the throne of the All-Holy Trinity and interceding for all of the Fathers and brothers who will complete their lives in a God-pleasing manner at that holy and blessed place, the “Garden of the Panagia”.
(amateur translation of Greek text from: http://www.agiasma.info/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=336)

St. Maximos Kavsokalyvites (http://pravicon.com/images/sv/s1341/s1341002.jpg)

For more on St. Akakios of Kavsokalyvia, see: http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2010/04/st-akakios-righteous-younger-of.html.

For the service of St. Maximos of Kavsokalyvia (in Greek), see: http://analogion.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13740.
  

St. Maximos the Hut-burner (http://days.pravoslavie.ru/jpg/im3955.jpg)

  

Apolytikion in the Plagal of the First Tone (amateur translations below)

From your mother’s womb, O Righteous Maximos, you were chosen as a treasury by God. You were made worthy of the divine darkness as Moses, and to see things far off, as Samuel, the divine wonder of Athos, the mystic of the Theotokos, and the one who interecedes for us, O Father.

Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
As one who loves to behold exalted theorias, and a disciple working noetic prayer, your servants praise you, O Godly-wise one. But as a mystic of godly ascent, lead us towards the coming life, those who cry out to you: hail O Righteous Maximos.

Megalynarion
You were surrounded by unapproachable light through the revealing of the Virgin and Pure Theotokos, for surpassing the flesh, mind and word, you were shown a citizen of the heavens, O Righteous Maximos.
(http://www.synaxarion.gr/gr/sid/1736/sxsaintinfo.aspx)

  

Scenes from the life of St. Maximos of Kavsokalyvia: him praying before the Theotokos, the appearance of the Theotokos, burning his hut, talking with St. Gregory the Sinaite, and seen flying through the air, all through the Holy Spirit (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimI9YXDaNaPgidykhITBWeiOapMChPIKg_wfBVo68ybwCLJGwyEv9b34J7eGMSAYMTlAjLBxhTzqsVGwL_oNV-74cBnTlEplXI9jmcft-JySG0WkAGMXLU8URUf6CO3H9cLhdQn4MkqCWQ/s1600/maximus+life.jpg)  

  

Icon depicting the Synaxis of All Saints of Kavsokalyvia, Mount Athos (source)

  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

St. Romanos the New Righteous Martyr (+1694)

St. Romanos the New Righteous Martyr (+1694) - Martyred in Constantinople on January 5^th 1694 (icon taken from: http://vatopaidi.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/romanos.jpg)

 The Saint was from Karpenesi. He was totally illiterate. The only thing he knew was that he was a Christian.

 One day he heard that some were going to venerate the All-Holy Tomb [of Christ in Jerusalem] and he followed them. After he venerated all of the Holy Places, he also went to the Monastery of St. Sabbas. There he heard the monks reading about the Holy Martyrs, how they suffered so many tortures for Christ preferring instead to receive the future good things. The Saint asked what were these future good things, and when he learned from the fathers about the life to come and Paradise, the desire to receive the future goods through martyrdom was born in him.

Because of this he went to Jerusalem and shared his idea with the Patriarch, who prevented him in case he couldn’t endure the tortures and might deny martyrdom and not to have the matter adverse to the Patriarchate. This blessed one however who desired martyrdom could not keep within himself the fire that was kindled in his heart.

He therefore traveled to Thessaloniki, where he appeared before the judge, confessed Christ as true God, creator and savior of the world and called mohammed an imposter and antichrist, and his religion an error filled with myths to laugh at. The judge ordered him to be tortured. They beat him mercilessly, they tore of strips of skin from his back, they cut his cheeks with petala and did many other tortures to force him to deny his faith. Because the Saint remained firm in his believe in Christ, he was ordered to be beheaded.

There happened to be at that time in Thessaloniki the Admiral of the fleet who sought the judge to give him the martyr to put him in a boat, telling him that this would be worse than death for the martyr. Because of his position as a rower on board he would be tortured throughout his life mentally and physically. He liked the idea and the Admiral took him, cut his hair and beard and put him at the paddle [i.e. to be a rower on a boat].

After a short time however, some Christian friends of the captain bribed him, and he set the Saint free and sent him to the Holy Mountain, to the Skete of Kavsokalyvia, near St. Akakios (April 12). There he struggled continuously and superhumanly, but he had no peace. He lived like a stranger in this life, and he thought neither for food nor water; his nous was on martyrdom.

St. Akakios of Kavsokalyvia (April 12) (taken from: http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=101069)

 As the two of them fasted, Elder and novice, and as St. Akakios received information regarding the favorable result of martyrdom, he tonsured him a monk and with the prayers of the fathers he let him leave with the goal of confession and martyrdom. At first he went to Jerusalem, where he couldn’t complete his goal, because there was a fear that the muslims would harm the All-Holy Tomb. Thus he traveled to Constantinople. There he caught a little dog, tied it up with his belt and led him to the bazaar. The Turks seeing this asked why he was dragging the little dog. He responded to them: “to feed him as the Christians feed you Turks.” As soon as they heard this they grabbed him and brought him to Vezyre, where he repeated the same words. Then Vezyre ordered them to torture him until he would deny his faith.

They threw him in a wooden container, in which they threw their murderers. There the blessed one remained without food for forty days. Later they took him out and tortured him mercilessly in various ways without in any way convincing him. Then Vezyre ordered him to be beheaded by sword.

As they took him to the place of execution, he greeted any Christian he saw with great joy saying that he was going to a wedding and not a slaughter, a fact that stunned many. Passing by the mosque at the hour when the chotza called for mid-day prayer, the martyr gazed and spat on him, for which cause the executioners immediately cut out his tongue, which he extended on his own for them to cut. And again he intelligently greeted the Christians with blood running from his mouth. When he reached the place of execution they beheaded him, as he thanked God and his beheaded body on its own fell towards the east, as if it were still alive. Angered by thus sign the Turks drove away the mass of Christians.

The holy relic remained three days and nights at the place of execution and the divine grace illumined it with a heavenly light, which was seen by all, Christians and Turks. In the end the relic of the martyr was bought for 500 grosia by some Englishmen who were stationed in Constantinople, and took it to England.

(amateur translation of Greek text from: http://vatopaidi.wordpress.com/2010/01/05/%ce%bf-%ce%ac%ce%b3%ce%b9%ce%bf%cf%82-%ce%bd%ce%b5%ce%bf%ce%bc%ce%ac%cf%81%cf%84%cf%85%cf%82-%ce%ba%ce%b1%ce%b9-%ce%bf%cf%83%ce%b9%ce%bf%ce%bc%ce%ac%cf%81%cf%84%cf%85%cf%82-%cf%81%cf%89%ce%bc%ce%b1/)


A napkin that was dipped in the blood of St. Romanos was offered by a ruler to the Monastery of Docheiariou. He later became a monk himself with the name Agapios. The Church also celebrates the memory of St. Romanos on February 16th.
(http://www.synaxaristis.googlepages.com/5ιανουαριου)
  

St. Romanos appearing amidst the uncreated light to his Elder, St. Akakios of Kavsokalyvia (http://agioritikoslogos.blogspot.com/2012/01/5.html)

St. Akakios' Vision of St. Romanos (amateur translation)

In the chapel of the Dormition of the Theotokos, of the Cell of St. Akakios, where the Righteous Martyr Romanos lived in asceticism, is depicted on the north wall a striking icon dated to 1759, from the workshop of the hieromonk Parthenios from Agrafon, whose source is the life of St. Akakios of Kavsokalyvia. It depicts the appearance of the Righteous Martyr Romanos with lightning-white robes.

Before St. Romanos left to pursue martyrdom, he made a promise to St. Akakios, that if he was able to complete martyrdom, then he would intercede to God for his salvation, following his death, being in the Kingdom of Heaven. St. Akakios, on the other hand, until St. Romanos would be made worthy of the crown of martyrdom, would pray to God for him ceaselessly. St. Akakios had agreed to remain in his cave until the end of his life. After the martyrdom of St. Romanos, however, St. Akakios left his cave of asceticism for a few months, to descend to the Cell of St. Athanasios above Kavsokalyvia. There he one time was praying, when he came into ecstasy, and he saw St. Romanos shining in an indescribable manner. His face shinned more than the sun, as he was amidst the glory of God. He, however, turned his godly head from the Elder, and showed his displeasure for his breaking of their agreement, that he left his cave. St. Akakios fell to his knees, and entreated him to look upon him with sympathy and compassion and to forgive his error. St. Romanos, however, did not hearken to St. Akakios' entreaties, and he straightaway disappeared. After this, St. Akakios immediately returned to his cave in Kavsokalyvia. There during prayer, he many times beheld St. Romanos, again drenched with the uncreated light, however, not with the same austere expression. Instead, he had a joyous and sweet expression, and he consoled and strengthened his friend and Elder.

(http://agioritikoslogos.blogspot.com/2012/01/5.html)

St. Romanos the Neomartyr (http://www.evrytanesagioi.gr/Agioi/AgiosRomanos.htm)

Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone (amateur translaion)

You first wrestled ascetically on Athos, and received the Divine will through the teachings of the Righteous Akakios, and hastened towards the trials of martyrdom and death, and you, O Romanos, stand beside the crown-bestowing Martyr of Christ, interceding for us, O all-glorious one.

  

Let us honour in songs the glorious Romanos, pride of ascetics and sweetness of the new martyrs of Christ, whom the Skete of the Lavra of Kavsokalyvia blossomed as a rose, and whom Akakios, young in years and old in asceticism had as his own disciple.

(from Ode 8 of the Canon in praise of All Saints of Athos, taken from: http://web.ukonline.co.uk/ephrem/athoscan.htm)

  
For the full service of St. Romanos the New Martyr (in Greek), see: http://voutsinasilias.blogspot.com/2012/01/5_07.html.

St. Romanos the Righteous Martyr (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QHFmyrBkuTg/TwgPIXSyHHI/AAAAAAAAHAA/4YAm8gKHqnQ/s1600/5.%2B%25CE%25A1%25CE%25A9%25CE%259C%25CE%2591%25CE%259D%25CE%259F%25CE%25A3%2B%25CE%259D%25CE%2595%25CE%259F%25CE%25A3%2B%25CE%259F%25CE%25A3%25CE%2599%25CE%259F%25CE%259C%25CE%2591%25CE%25A1%25CE%25A4%25CE%25A5%25CE%25A3%2B%25283%2529.jpg)

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!