Mother Gabriela, the Ascetic of Love, is canonized (Gerontissa Gavrielia Papagiane +1992)

St. Gabriela, the Ascetic of Love - Commemorated on March 28th (the day of her repose), and July 18th (the day of the translation of her relics) (source)

Gerontissa Gabrielia (Gavrielia) was born in Constantinople more than a hundred years ago on October 15, 1897 to Helias and Victoria Papayanni and was the fourth and last child of the family.

Gerontissa means further than an older nun, supervising the youngers, a spiritual person, who guides others with wise advice and knowledge given from God, in prayers. Her life is a trail of wonders.

She grew up in Constantinople until her family moved to Thessaloniki in 1923. She went to England in 1938 and stayed there throughout the Second World War. She trained as a chiropodist and physiotherapist. In England they honored her for her services during the war and after.

In 1945, she returned to Greece. In 1954, March, her mother died and it changed her life. Sister Gabrielia left Greece and traveled overland to India, where she worked with the poorest of the poor, even the lepers, for five years. She worked with Baba Amte and his family, who built and organised village-communities for the lepers of India. She kept no penny in her pocket. Just trusted herself in His hands.

In 1959, she went to the Monastery of Mary and Martha in Bethany, Palestine, to become a nun. When she arrived, she asked Fr. Theodosius the chaplain for a rule of prayer. Fr. Theodosius was somewhat surprised to find that she could read even ancient Byzantine Greek. Therefore, for her first year in the monastery he set her to reading only the Gospels and St. John Climacus.

She was three years in Bethany. In April 1962, Patriarch Athenagoras of Constantinople sought to send an Orthodox monastic to Taize in France. Sister Gabrielia went from Taize to America.

In 1963, she was back in Greece. The Gerontissa was tonsured to the Small Schema by Abbot Amphilochios (Makris) on Patmos in the Cave of St. Anthony under the Monastery of Evangelismos just before she and the nun Tomasina left again for India. Elder Amphilochios was enthusiastic at the idea of a nun, who would be open to the active outreach in the world. In India, she was for three years in Nani Tal in Uttar Pradesh, where Fr. Lazarus (Moore) was the priest and where he consulted the Gerontissa in his translations of the Psalter and the Fathers. Between 1967 and 1977, Gerontissa traveled in the Mission field of East Africa, in Europe, including visiting old friends and spiritual fathers Lev Gillet and Sophrony of Essex, again to America, and briefly in Sinai, where Archbishop Damianos was attempting to reintroduce women's monasticism.

She traveled extensively, with much concern and broad love for the people of God. Some of her spiritual children found her in Jerusalem beside the Tomb of Christ; others found her on the mission field of East Africa. In the 50s and 60s, she used to have a few thousands of spiritual friends from all over the world! She used to pray for everybody day and night!

In the year 1977, she lived hidden in a little apartment, the "House of the Angels" in Patissia, Athens, in the midst of the noise and smog and confusion of central Athens. In 1989, she moved to Holy Protection hermitage on the island of Aegina, close by the shrine of St. Nectarios. There she called the last two of her spiritual children to become monastics near her, and there she continued to receive many visitors. At the start of Great Lent in 1990, she was hospitalized for lymphatic cancer. She was forty days in the hospital, leaving during Holy Week and receiving communion on Pascha. And to the puzzlement of the doctors, the cancer disappeared. It was not yet her time.

Gerontissa finally withdrew to quiet. With only one last nun, she moved for the last time in this life, to the island of Leros. There they established the hesychastarion of the Holy Archangels. Only in this last year of her life did she accept the Great Schema at the hands of Fr. Dionysious from Little St. Anne's Skete on Mount Athos. He came to give her the Schema in the Chapel of the Panaghia in the Kastro on the top of Leros.

Gerontissa Gabrielia reposed on March 28, 1992, having never built a monastery. Her biography and collected writings were published in Greek in 1996, through the work of her last monastic daughter and the contribution of many, many others, who held the Gerontissa dear.

Anyone, who knew the Gerontissa realized that God has not left us without His saints, even down to the present day. The few words recorded here scarcely suggest the clarity and love of her soul. Words are only the tools of this world; the wonder of Gerontissa was wrapped in the mystery of the silence of the world to come. She was humility and love incarnate.

(source)

See here for a recent feast on the 22nd anniversary of the translation of her holy relics.

St. Gabriela, the Ascetic of Love (source)

On October 3rd, 2023, she was canonized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate (source)

Selected Quotes

Two things are very important… “Love one another,” and “Fear not, only believe.”

We become a reflection of Heaven by saying: ‘Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven’.

 If you have love for all the world, the whole world is beautiful.

If you do not get rid of “No” and “Tomorrow” from your life, you will never get to where the Lord wants you, Who grants you everything. He will give you the bodily strength when you answer “Yes” and “Now”. The prophets, the angels and the saints all said, “Behold here I am… Let it be according to Your word.”

Truth and light are synonymous.When you follow the truth you are in the light, you are with Christ.

True prayer always reaches heaven. The angels carry it to the right place and the answer comes. Its basis is Truth, and “Not My will, but that of the Father Who sent me.”

Say prayer-ropes also just with “Thank you”. 
 The angels always come. You should have continual conversation with your guardian angel. About everything. Especially in difficulties and when you cannot get across to someone. He always helps.

 When it is in God’s programme for you to go somewhere, you will go. That is why I am generally quiet in life. I have observed that even if a person does not want to, God moves him.

Never expect anybody to understand you. Only God.

When one is alone with God, the time passes unimaginably quickly. More quickly than when you have companionship… And yet even within the world one can remain united with God. How? When whatever he is doing he directs his thoughts to Him… when whatever good comes his way he gives Him glory… and whatever testing he meets, he gives Him thanks.

Love means to respect the freedom of the other.

You must not talk about persons who are absent.

 Love is always on the cross. Because Christ is on the cross.

If coal is not “beaten”, can it become diamond?

The Lord allows those who love Him to be tested, first, so that their faith in Him may grow stronger, and second, to set an example for those around.

Some people want to go to the Resurrection without passing by way of Gologatha.

The sermon on the mount and the epistle of Saint James. Every day! What a pity that we do not hear them more often…

My wishes: may the grace of our Christ, the love of the omnipotent Father and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit be with you! May your example be the life of the Mother of God, who will lead you at every step with her archangels and angels as your heavenly mother; that you love your mother who brought you into life and brought you up, and may you give love and joy first to her, and then to all who come near you.

Nun Gavrilia (1999). Mother Gavrilia: The Ascetic of Love. Athens: Ekdoseis K. Papagiannoulis Tertios & Sia. (source)

Another interview on the Saint here, and writing here.

St. Gabriela, the Ascetic of Love (source)

Apolytikion (Plagal of the Fourth Tone)

In thee the image was preserved with exactness, O Mother; for taking up thy cross, thou didst follow Christ,and by thy deeds thou didst teach us to overlookthe flesh,for it passeth away, but to attend to the soul since it is immortal.Wherefore, O righteous Gavrilia, thy spirit rejoiceth with the Angels.

(source)

"My heart will burst from Love" - About Mother Gavrilia - Orthodox Christian Talk (Nov 30 2019), Speaker: Heiromonk Michael of St. Gregory Palamas Monastery in Perrysville, Ohio - Recorded Nov 30 2019, In this presentation Fr Michael will offer reminiscences of Mother Gavrilia of Leros, "The Ascetic of Love," and her five languages of Christian living. Given at the St John the Baptist  Ukrainian Orthodox Church Oshawa Spiritual Retreat (Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church Oshawa) (source)

The first liturgy celebrated in her honor at the Metropolis Chapel of St. Sophrony on Leros, before her Holy Skull, celebrated October 4th, 2023 (source)

The Metropolitan of Leros chanting her Megalynarion for the first time during liturgy on October 4th, 2023 (source)

   

Icon depicting Sts. Maria of Paris, Matrona of Moscow and Gavrilia (source)

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

St. Amphilochios of Patmos on the Catastrophe of Asia Minor, the Turks and the Churches of the Apocalypse

The Vision of St John the Theologian of the Revelation on Patmos (source)

   

 Metropolitan Amphilothios (Tsouchos, formerly of New Zealand, and currently Bishop of Ganou and Chora of Eastern Thrace), a spiritual son of St. Amphilochios Makris, related in October 2014 some astonishing prophecies of St. Amphilochios, which we are seeing being fulfilled in our times:

"Do you know why the Greek Christians [were forced to leave] Asia Minor? God allowed them to leave, so that they might not be found there on that day when there will be the great evil."

A beautiful example of a iconographic depiction of Orthodox faithful being driven from their homes in Asia Minor (specifically here from the areas of Klazomenai, Ephesus, Meli and Smyrna, bringing the blessings of their Patron Saints and their treasures to mainland Greece and other lands) (Source)

He was greatly troubled when he faced the mountains of Asia Minor, and knew that the Seven Lampstands of [the Churches] of Revelation were put out: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyateira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea, and the only Lampstand left lit was that of the Revelation (on Patmos).

He said: "May God make you worthy to take this LIGHT from the burning Lampstand of the Revelation (on Patmos), and to bring it to light the extiniquished Lampstands of the Evangelist John in Asia Minor."

"We have an outstanding debt first to those Crypto-Christians across, who are waiting until now for something from us, and secondly, to the Turkish people (who, as a whole, are about 50% from Greeks who became moslem). Within their veins runs Greek and Christian blood. The Monasteries of the Dodecanese should become missionaries to them.

The continuation of the above image, here showing the Refugees of Asia Minor coming to Athens, bringing their blessings and being greeted by the Saints in their new land, specifically Athens and St. Philothei, and building new churches (source)

"However, that great evil will occur, as St. Kosmas Aitolos prophesied, that a third of the Turks will fall in war, and a third of the Turks will go to "Kokkine Milia", and a third will become Christians...Therefore, then we must be ready nearby to help them more."

Another unpublished prophecy of the Saint to his spiritual children: "You should learn Turkish! Because you will be needed to catechize the Turks who will come to our faith!"

(source)

St. Amphilochios of Patmos (source)

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

St. Amphilochios of Patmos: "It is a beautiful, wondrous thing..."

The Wedding at Cana (source)

  
"It is a beautiful, wondrous thing to behold people united with the love of Christ!"
-St. Amphilochios of Patmos (+1970)

(source)

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

"The Monastic equal to the Angels, and the wondrous one among Priests..."

St. Amphilochios of Patmos (source)

  
The Monastic equal to the Angels, and the wondrous one among Priests, the flowering of the Gospel, he who promoted piety, and the teacher of repentance, let us bless Amphilochios, for being aflame with virtues, he was lifted up to the heavens like Elias the Zealot, and left behind as his mantle the treasury of his relics, which work awesome wonders. Therefore, today we gather around with faith and cry out together: O most-venerable Father, do not neglect those who honor you, but intercede with the Triune God that our souls may be saved.
-Doxastikon of the Litia from the Feast of the Uncovering of the Holy Relics of St. Amphilochios of Patmos, commemorated on September 19th

(source)

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

Bishop Kallistos (Ware) on his Spiritual Father, St. Amphilochios of Patmos

This video is of a talk of Bishop Kallistos (Ware), in which he gives an overview of the life, sayings, and his personal experiences of St. Amphilochios of Patmos, his spiritual father. Bishop Kallistos' talks are typically wise, humorous and generally edifying, and so, on the first feast day of the newly-canonized St. Amphilochios of Patmos, may this new Saint pray for all those who are suffering throughout the world.

(source)

  

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

St. Amphilochios of Patmos: "Your heart must really be aflame..."

Jesus Christ the Bridegroom (source)

   
Please put this commandment into practice:  Cultivate love towards the Person of Christ to such an extent that, when you pronounce His name, tears fall from your eyes. Your heart must really be aflame. Then He will become your teacher. He will be your Guide, your Brother, your Father, and your Geron (Elder).
-St. Amphilochios of Patmos
(source)
   

Sts. George Karslides, Amphilochios of Patmos and Silouan the Athonite (source)

   

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

Akathist to St. Amphilochios (Makris) of Patmos

St. Amphilochios of Patmos (source)

 
Note: In honor of the upcoming feast of the Translation of the Holy Relics of St. Amphilochios of Patmos on September 19th (notably his primary feast is April 16th which often falls in Great Lent), and in honor of this great and newly-canonized Saint of the Orthodox Church, the following is my translation of the Akathist to the Saint from the Greek text here, offered for the many who love the Saint and who benefit from his speedy help. Also note that the meter of this translation is not set to match the original music. May St. Amphilochios intercede for us before the Throne of our Lord, to help all who suffer throughout the world, to help heal the wounds of Orthodox Christians, to guide our leaders towards peace, reconciliation, love and truth in these difficult times, and to especially protect his Monasteries and spiritual children!
  

St. Amphilochios of Patmos (source)

  
Akathist to St. Amphilochios (Makris) of Patmos
  
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone. O Champion General.
To praise you as is right, O Amphilochios, we would need heavenly mouths and tongues, for similarly you appeared to the Bodiless Ones, but desiring to hymn your victorious struggles from defiled lips, therefore I cry out to you: Rejoice, O blessed Amphilochios.

You appeared as an Angel, O Father Amphilochios, living righteously in the world (3), and having found the ancient beauty, you madly loved God, O venerable one, together with your neighbor, therefore you hear from us these things:
Rejoice, you through whom Christ is hymned,
Rejoice, you through whom the enemy is defeated.
Rejoice, the strengthening of the Orthodox fold,
Rejoice, the folly of heterodox rulers.
Rejoice, earthly angel of heavenly mind,
Rejoice, man translated to and ever dwelling in Eden.
Rejoice, for you stand before the throne of the King of all,
Rejoice, for you dissipate earthly pains.
Rejoice, river pouring forth healings,
Rejoice, spring watering forth wonders.
Rejoice, you through whom the Church now rejoices,
Rejoice, you through whom the island of Patmos rejoices together.
Rejoice, O blessed Amphilochios.

Beholding you greatly shining like a radiant star with the glory of the Lord, we who have been darkened in mind have received the gifts of your wonders, O all-radiant one, and we therefore in gratitude cry out to God Who enlightened you: Alleluia.

The land of Patmos which formerly received John [the Theologian] as a prisoner, also received him as a fruitful sower, from which the Gospel took root. You, O Amphilochios, blossomed from this, as being full of myrrh from the Divine Spirit, and we cry out these things:
Rejoice, gladness for those who honor you,
Rejoice, protection for those who call upon you.
Rejoice, namesake of eternal life beforehand,
rejoice, fellow namesake of the mystic of Iconium.
Rejoice, verdant shoot from the pious Emmanuel,
Rejoice, God-planted child of the chaste Irene.
Rejoice, for you are the glory of the Patmians,
Rejoice, for you encircle the faithful like a tower.
Rejoice, light enlightening the whole world,
Rejoice, new song of praise of Greece.
Rejoice, the boast of Leipso and Patmos,
Rejoice, the most-radiant brightness of your homeland.
Rejoice, O blessed Amphilochios.

Receiving the teachings, O Father, and written words, you learned knowledge and desired things divine, therefore your spiritual father and fellow namesake offered you guidance which you heard as a novice, becoming a descendent of the Fathers, who cry out: Alleluia.

You were filled with divine fervor from childhood, and you loved Christ your Bridegroom from your soul, and taking up His Cross on your shoulder, you traveled the narrow path of the monastery, through which you entered into Paradise, where you hear:
Rejoice, siren of the righteous life,
Rejoice, active educator.
Rejoice, confirmation of the life to come,
Rejoice, justification of Orthodox dogmas.
Rejoice, tree watered by the streams of the waters,
Rejoice, tree adorned with the fruits of virtues.
Rejoice, for through fasting you became like the Angels,
Rejoice, for through ascesis you became like the venerable Saints.
Rejoice, equal in honor to all the Saints,
Rejoice, fellow-dweller with the Bodiless ones.
Rejoice, for you diminished the might of the enemy,
Rejoice for you were filled with many wonders.
Rejoice, O blessed Amphilochios.

Having godly zeal, you venerated the Holy Lands, where the feet of the Lord walked, and went to the holy city of Sion, as a deer thirsting for the spring of water, and as a bee gathering pollen, crying out to God: Alleluia.
 

St. Amphilochios of Patmos (source)

 
You came secretly to the city of the Great King, fleeing the grace of the priesthood, but perceiving this great calling upon the earth, you later received this, O conscientious priest, and were made worthy to serve the liturgy, hearing:
Rejoice, boast of sacred priests,
Rejoice, praise of chaste monastics.
Rejoice, representation of the sacred Scriptures,
Rejoice, imprint of the Fathers of old.
Rejoice, sacred mystic who blesses the faithful,
Rejoice, for you join rank with the liturgists on high.
Rejoice, for you were crowned with a God-plaited crown,
Rejoice, for you partook of astonishing gifts.
Rejoice, for you pillaged the land of the demons,
Rejoice, for you lifted up the ethos of the world.
Rejoice, the boast of righteous and sacrificing Saints,
Rejoice, you who dissolve the dread of the passions.
Rejoice, O blessed Amphilochios.

The Monastery of the Son of Thunder [St. John the Evangelist], which was founded by St. Christodoulos, became the theater of your struggles and the stadium of your feats, for you did not shy away from struggles, and now together you cry out in Eden: Alleluia.

You followed the ways of St. Christodoulos, and with unapproachable fervor you struggled in asceticism, imitating him and honoring his precepts perfectly, therefore, O godly-minded one, you hear from your fellow monastics things such as these:
Rejoice, boast of the Monastery of the Theologian,
Rejoice, light of the choir of monastics.
Rejoice, affection of the ancient Fathers,
Rejoice, ready helper of the faithful who call upon you.
Rejoice, victory and foundation of the sacred one from Latrinou [St. Christodoulos],
Rejoice, boast and adornment of your fellow venerable Saints.
Rejoice, for you protect the monastery of your repentance,
Rejoice, for you dissipate the cloud of ignorance.
Rejoice, icon of godly monasticism,
Rejoice, for you ever partake in theosis.
Rejoice, innocent type of Christ,
Rejoice, dwelling-place of the Holy Trinity.
Rejoice, O blessed Amphilochios.

Not knowing your labors, all the faithful people of the Dodecanese out of love came and were granted rest from their labors, for you liturgized in the Cave [of the Apocalypse], and you received them as your children, teaching them to cry out with you: Alleluia.

You were placed as a lamp upon a lamp stand, shining forth as the Abbot of the Monastery of the Theologian, which boasts in you, O Saint, the new one among the Fathers, crying out to you such things as these:
Rejoice, boast of wise abbots,
Rejoice, benefactor of the faithful who entreat you.
Rejoice, adornment of the ancient Monastery,
Rejoice, pride of the Kathisma of Kouvariou.
Rejoice, protector and deliverer against evil foes,
Rejoice, foundation of the faith against dangerous heresies.
Rejoice, for you trample upon the wiles of belial,
Rejoice, for you grant healing to those ailing.
Rejoice, divine protecting wall for the faithful,
Rejoice, protector of your monastery.
Rejoice, famed guide of women Eldresses,
Rejoice, the song of the Bodiless Angels.
Rejoice, O blessed Amphilochios.

You protected your homeland like a great cloud during a time of slavery, which darkened the souls of the Orthodox, and you did not at all bend to the wiles of the tyrant, and in your soul you bore the marks of exile, crying out to Christ: Alleluia.
 

St. Amphilochios of Patmos (source)

   

Through divine command, you fled to famed Crete, which you became spiritually linked with, and through your prayers, the first church of St. Nektarios, the greatly-wondrous one, was built, and a philanthropic foundation was built by your children, who cry out:
Rejoice, divine vessel of grace,
Rejoice, container of every virtue.
Rejoice, most-tender father of your children,
Rejoice, winged eagle of virtue.
Rejoice, most-fervent defender of orphans and widows,
Rejoice, calm harbor for those troubled by the passions.
Rejoice, for you protect Crete through your prayers,
Rejoice for you protect the city of Chania through your intercessions.
rejoice, most-gladsome feeder of the poor,
Rejoice, for you had nothing of your own, O estranged one.
Rejoice, award of the honor granted you,
Rejoice, treasury of many wonders.
Rejoice, O blessed Amphilochios.

Your philosophical life was strange to the world, as you founded many schools [of virtue] on Patmos, Rhodes, Ikaria and Aegina along with Kalymnos, and practically served as a most-tender Father, while the choirs of monastics cry out: Alleluia.

Having wholly spent your life in asceticism, you worshipped your Creator only, perceiving His finger working in creation, O all-wise one, as you worked and protected and taught those who now cry out:
Rejoice, shepherd of the rational sheep,
Rejoice, river of living waters.
Rejoice, the complete deliverance from afflictions,
Rejoice the granter of various wonders.
Rejoice, heavy-laded cluster of grapes granting joy,
Rejoice, root full of fruit which nourishes the faithful.
Rejoice, for you respected nature in practice,
Rejoice for you taught to protect creation.
Rejoice, spring rising from the earth,
Rejoice, deliverance from bitter circumstances.
rejoice, pinnacle of wise teachers,
Rejoice, you who worshipped with the Prayer of Jesus.
Rejoice, O blessed Amphilochios.

Through your labor pains, you founded the virginal choir of nuns on Patmos named "The Mother of the Beloved", and you led them towards Paradise that is desired, where you join ranks together with the Angelic Armies, crying out to the Lord: Alleluia.

Through your godly-wise words as a staff, you strengthened everyone on the path, and you wrote epistles to your children near and far as an act of perfection, rousing them to cry out these things:
Rejoice, radiant adornment of monastics,
Rejoice, rhetor of the heavenly life.
Rejoice, sweet-voiced swallow of good things,
Rejoice, strong-voiced nightingale of gifts.
Rejoice, you who related the beauties of Paradise like Moses,
Rejoice, you who healed incurable pains with your prayer.
Rejoice, for you were a student on Halki,
Rejoice, for the nations have come to see your light.
Rejoice, tuneful harp of the Spirit,
Rejoice, songful ode of the venerable Saints.
Rejoice, steady staff of your children,
Rejoice, eternal intercession for your monastery.
Rejoice, O blessed Amphilochios.

All of the world has been enlightened by the rays of light of your godly knowledge, therefore, God-loving souls dwelling in shadow you enlightened, guiding them to walk with the teachings of Orthodoxy, crying out: Alleluia.
  

St. Amphilochios of Patmos (source)

  
You became a dwelling-place of the Comforter, founded by the Word [of God], and you worked with pain of soul to receive and walk with God, as we who behold this are astonished, and cry out:
Rejoice, trumpet of dispassion,
Rejoice, cymbal of purity.
Rejoice, lightning dissolving clouds [of sin],
Rejoice, awesome thunder of theosis.
Rejoice, heavenly-breathed breeze that refreshes the faithful,
Rejoice, wine offered up to gladden the people.
Rejoice, flower adorning the heavenly house,
Rejoice, fragrant lily bearing the fragrance of graces.
Rejoice, mixing bowl of many wondrous things,
Rejoice, voice of bold sounds.
Rejoice, for you remove utter sadness,
Rejoice, for you grant gladness to the faithful.
Rejoice, O blessed Amphilochios.

While awake, Mary, the Theotokos appeared to you, together with the Beloved Disciple John, informing you before your last Pascha of your coming repose, not fulfilling your fervent request [of delaying your repose]. This showed the love of your soul for your children even in death, crying out: Alleluia.

Being a friend and fellow-dweller with the Saints and all the prepared righteous ones on the earth, from above you look down on us and hasten to deliver from every danger through your divine intercessions, delivering those who cry out these things:
Rejoice, joyous dweller in Eden,
Rejoice, founder of your famed monastery.
Rejoice, imitator of the life of the Bodiless [Angels],
Rejoice, deposer of the boldness of the ancient enemy.
Rejoice, book inscribed by the finger of God,
Rejoice, most-true friend of the wondrous Nektarios.
Rejoice, for beforehand on earth you looked towards things above,
Rejoice, for your prayers sprinkle dew on those below.
Rejoice, canon of the perfect life,
Rejoice, quencher of the flames of passions.
Rejoice, the unsleeping protector of your monastery,
Rejoice, ever-flowing spring of wonders.
Rejoice, O blessed Amphilochios.

As the Psalm says, grace pours forth from your relics, curing the weakening by illnesses and filling our senses with the fragrance of the Holy Spirit, O all--joyous one, inciting us to cry out to God: Alleluia.

Chanting these verses to you out of longing, and wishing to honor you with all fervor, protect from all kinds of dangers of the enemy through your speedy intercessions, O Amphilochios, you who ever hear from all:
Rejoice, faithful Levite of Christ,
Rejoice, fearsome fighter of the enemy.
Rejoice, the perfect interpretation of the Scriptures,
Rejoice, depiction beforehand of the life to come.
Rejoice, steady might and protection of the faithful,
Rejoice, protection of your monastery and of the choir of nuns.
Rejoice, for you enrich your monastery with your Relic,
Rejoice, for you gladden the Church with your light.
Rejoice, the boast of those who hymn you,
Rejoice the divine adornment of Patmos.
Rejoice, you who relieve pains of the flesh,
Rejoice, you who lead souls towards heaven.
Rejoice, O blessed Amphilochios.

O boast and pride of Patmos, Amphilochios, faithful healer of the Church (3), do not cease to entreat Christ that we might be granted to dwell together with Him in Eden, and that we might together join chorus to ceaselessly cry to God: Alleluia.

Then the Kontakion again straightaway.

   

St. Amphilochios of Patmos (source)

  

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

Elder Amphilochios (Makris) of Patmos is Canonized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate

St. Amphilochios (Makris) of Patmos (+1970) (source)

 
The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which is gathering in the Phanar, under the leadership of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, has decided, according to sources, today (August 29th, 2018) to canonize Elder Amphilochios Makris of Patmos (1889-1970).

This new Saint of the Orthodox Church was a friend and spiritual child of St. Nektarios. He was a spiritual father to many people of the Church, both Greeks and foreigners.

He served as the Abbot of the Monastery of St. John the Theologian on Patmos. Furthermore, he founded the women's Monastery of the Annunciation [of the Theotokos], the "Mother of the Beloved", in 1937.

Elder Amphilochios made his mark on Patmos with his great spiritual, ethnic and ecological service.

He became an inspiration for missionary work in Africa and many other places.

(source)
 

May we have his blessing and may he intercede for us!

 

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

St. Amphilochios (Makris) of Patmos (+1970)

Elder Amphilochios (Makris) of Patmos (Reposed in the Lord on +April 16th, 1970, while the translation of his holy relics occurred on September 19th, 1980) (source)

  

Elder Amphilochios of Patmos (Makris) was a priestmonk who lived on Patmos (Greece).

The future elder was born on December 13, 1889 to Emmanuel and Irene Makris and named Athanasios. He was born into a large family of simple, country folk. Even as an infant, Athanasios was devout, even observing the fasting rules regarding milk products while still an infant. When Athanasios was five, he convinced his newly-engaged godmother to spend the rest of her days in virginity. Athanasios, having preserved himself from worldly temptations, decided to enter a monastery at the age of seventeen. He asked his parents' blessing, which they were happy to give.

St. Nektarios, depicted with two of his spiritual children: Elders Amphilochios and Philotheos Zervakos (source)

In March, 1906, he entered the Monastery of St. John the Theologian, Patmos; in August, having earned the love of the aging brotherhood, he was made a rassophore and given the name Amphilochios. To fight the passions and temptations, Amphilochios would employ strict fasting - ten mouthfuls of food at each meal on standard days, with seven or eight olives on fast days.

In 1911, the abbot of the Monastery of St. John the Theologian sent Amphilochios to Mount Athos in order to learn wood-carving; in March 1913, he was tonsured to the Great Schema by Elder Antoniadis. Two months later, the abbot had the agreement of the brethren of the monastery to ordain Amphilochios; but, because of a self-perception of inadequacy, he asked his traveling companion (and ordinand) to continue while Amphilochios went to Egypt and the Holy Lands.
  

Elder Amphilochios of Patmos (source)

  
Amphilochios asked the Patriarch of Jerusalem to receive him as one of the caretakers of the Holy Sepulchre. While the Patriarch was willing to do this, the Monastery insisted that he return, where they "punished" him by sending him to the hermitage of Apollo, alongside Elder Makarios, which made Amphilochios very happy as he was better able to pray.

However, in 1919, Fr Amphilochios was ordained to the diaconate and, soon after, to the priesthood. He was assigned to the monastery's dependency on the island of Kos, also serving as confessor throughout the Dodecanese. In 1926, he was sent to the Cave of the Apocalypse, Patmos. He spent much time with students of the Ecclesiastical Academy, which produced numerous elders and abbots.

Elder Amphilochios traveling in prayer (source)

  

In 1935, the occupying powers of the Dodecanese were the Italians, who influenced the Church by forcing a system of governance that made it easy to manipulate the Church. However, the Patriarch of Constantinople demanded that this situation be rectified for the new abbot. In response, the brotherhood elected Elder Amphilochios as abbot. Soon after, the seeds of the future female Monastery of the Annunciation began to be planted: the first building housed a training workshop for knitting and weaving, a guise under which to teach children Greek. In response, in 1937, the Italians exiled Elder Amphilochios to mainland Greece, where the Elder received hospitality from the Zoe brotherhood in Athens, from whence he traveled throughout Greece; after which he traveled to Crete, where he became spiritual father of the island.
  

Elder Amphilochios in prayer (source)

  

His exile ended in 1939, and Elder Amphilochios returned to Patmos, being received with great joy. He did not, however, reassume his abbacy, but rather, focused on dependencies and the female Monastery of the Annunciation. The changeover of power in 1942, from the Italians to the Germans, did not greatly impact on the Elder's life. In 1947, Elder Amphilochios organised a small group of nuns to assist the orphans of Rhodes (at that time, extremely poor) by establishing an orphanage, along with a unit for pregnant women.

At Easter, 1968, Elder Amphilochios received a forewarning of his coming repose, and was given two years to prepare himself and his children for his repose. Anxious for his spiritual children, he asked God with tears for more time to develop his children, after which the Mother of God and St. John the Theologian appeared to him and informed him that his request was denied. Soon after this, he received a bout of flu. Having made his final preparations, he reposed on April 16, 1970.

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St. Amphilochios was canonized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate on August 29th, 2018.

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Elder Amphilochios Makris, protector of the Monasteries of Patmos and beyond (source)

Spiritual Counsels of Elder Amphilochios

      -When you cultivate prayer, the Tempter's blusterings will not trouble you. Prayer diminishes his strength; he cannot do anything to us.

      -The end of my life draws near I ask you to live a holy life, to walk along holy paths, so that you may help both our Church and Greece.

      -Remaining faithful to Monasticism is considered to be a martyrdom.

      -Christ often comes and knocks at your door and you invite him to sit in the living-room of your soul. Then, absorbed in your own business you forget the Great Visitor. He waits for you to appear and when you are too long in returning, he gets up and leaves. At other times, you are so busy that you answer him from the window. You don't even have time to open the door.

Icon of St. Nektarios of Pentapolis, and his spiritual son, St. Amphilochios of Patmos (source)

   

      -You are royalty, destined for the heavenly bridal chamber.

      -When you see a person who is spiritually tired do not burden him any further, because his knees won't be able to bear it.

      -Love the One, so that even wild beasts will love you.

      -True wealth, for me, is to see you in the Kingdom of Heaven.

      -When the flame of love exists, it consumes whatever evil approaches.

      -The person who loves spiritually feels prayerful, so that he can be found within God and his brother.

  

Elder Amphilochios Makris (source)

  

      -He is saddened when his brother is not advancing well and prays for his progress.

      -Whoever has Christian love never changes.

      -Hold the banner of Christ up high, so that you've always got your elder's telephone number, no matter where you are.

      -Christ is the same, yesterday and today, but we have closed our eyes and look into the darkness.

      -It is because we carry on like this that some fall in the mud and others are killed.

      -All those things that we hear about: war, earthquakes, catastrophes, thunder, also expect rain.

      -We must be ready for our defence and our martyrdom.

      -I beseech the Lord to sanctify you, so that I may see you in Paradise. This is the dowry which I seek from the Lord for you.

      -For God's Grace to come during the Liturgy, you must be concentrated and untroubled.

      -The more a person loves God, the more he loves other people. He loves them with holiness, respect and refinement, as images of God.

      -When a person lacks inner warmth, he will be frozen and cold, even in summer.

      -When your heart does not have Christ, it will contain either money, property or people instead.

      -Please put this commandment into practice:  Cultivate love towards the Person of Christ to such an extent that, when you pronounce His name, tears fall from your eyes. Your heart must really be aflame. Then He will become your teacher. He will be your Guide, your Brother, your Father, and your Geron (Elder).

      -Love your Bridegroom Christ with all your heart and then everyone will love you and take care of you.

  

Elder Amphilochios of Patmos, with signs of thanksgiving from many of the faithful who have been helped through his prayers (source)

  

      -I desire the rebirth of Monasticism, because in my opinion, monasticism is the “evzone” [=Greek, elite military unit] battalion of the Church.

      -God's protection diminishes temptation.

      -Because of widespread corruption, people cannot understand that spiritual love exists.

      -Worldly people tire you, because whatever is stored up inside them comes at you like waves of electricity. We must be people of grace so much so that whoever comes to us may find rest.

      -Let us look upon everyone as our superiors, however weak they may appear. Let us not be harsh, but always bear in mind that the other person also has the same destination as us.

      -We must have Love, even if they do us the greatest harm, we must love them. We will be able to enter Paradise only with love.

      -Cultivate the Jesus Prayer and a time will come when your heart will leap with joy, just as it does when you are about to see a person who you love very much.

      -Do not neglect evening prayer. Pray with eagerness like those who are going to a feast. They are awake and feel joy alone. Thus, since you are going to speak with your Bridegroom, do not listen when the Tempter tells you various things in order to hinder you, because you know there is someone who cares for you.

      -Question: "Elder, how must we picture Christ?" Answer: "We must always bring to Christ to mind with love. We could be holding the photograph of someone in our hands, but since we do not know them, we do not love him, we are not moved. Whereas, when we pick up a photograph of our mother, our soul immediately leaps and cries out with love.”

-A person can be raised up above the earth by two wings, one is simplicity and the other is purity of heart. You must be simple in your actions and pure in your thoughts and feelings. With a pure heart you'll seek God and with simplicity you'll find Him and be glad.

      -A pure heart passes through Heavens gate with ease.

  

Elder Amphilochios of Patmos (source)

  

      -Self-denial must be cultivated with discernment; otherwise we may reach the point of suicide.

      -We are on the high seas of life, sometimes there are storms and at other times calm. God's grace does not leave us. Otherwise, we would have sunk, if he had not held us up.

      -The saints always look to the other life. It is the grace of the remembrance of death.

      -God guards us from temptation. He does not allow us to be tempted beyond our strength; He allows everything, for our own good.

      -When spirituality increases, even sleep will have been fought off.

      -Prayer is grace. God gives it when zeal and humility exist.

      -Fight the Hater of Good, who envies you, bravely suffer whatever befalls you with fortitude, patience and faith.

      -Do not allow your soul's enemy to wage war against you. He appears in sheep's clothing, supposedly wanting your soul's benefit.

      -Trust in the Lord always and he will nourish you in time of hunger.

      -With a good word for your neighbour, supporting him, you buy paradise.

      -Repentance must occur, not from fear of punishment but because we have sinned before God.

St. Amphilochios of Patmos, depicted holding a tree after a famous quote of his reflecting his love for trees and the natural world in general: "Do you know that God gave us one more commandment, which is not recorded in Scripture? It is the commandment, ‘Love the trees.’” Whoever does not love the trees, so he believed, does not love Christ. “When you plant a tree,” he told us, “you plant hope, you plant peace, you plant love, and you will receive God’s blessing." (source) (source)

   

      -Sweeten your thoughts with words of consolation and hope. Warm your words with the warmth of your love towards your Bridegroom and remember His Passion, which he underwent for you, so that you would remain firm, devoted and humble.

      -Give your whole self completely over to the protecting veil of the Panagia.

      -Love giving hospitality, my child, for it opens the gates of Paradise. In this you also offer hospitality to angels. "Entertain strangers so that you won't be a stranger to God."

      -The saints submitted to whatever God sent them, with childlike simplicity, "That's the way You want it. Let Your will be done."

      -Hospitality... the greatest of virtues. It draws the grace of the Holy Spirit towards us. In every stranger's face, my child, I see Christ himself.

      -Sorrow is pleasing to God, in as much as it doesn't take away our courage to fight. 

      -It is necessary and beneficial for a general self-examination to take place from time to time, remembering all former sins.

      -Leave all your concerns to the hands of God. Ask for whatever you want, like a child asking from its father.

      -Prayer is a gift from God. Always ask with hope.

      -Our deeds, dear sister, will not save us; God's infinite mercy will.

      -Spiritual bonds become unbreakable when they come across a child-like spirit, innocence and sanctity.

      -Everything seems dark and difficult to a person without Christ.

      -Every day I pray that I may see you amongst the ranks of women saints.

      -I don't want to be in Paradise without you, my children.

  

Elder Amphilochios Makris (source)

  

      -Question: How do you manage to have such patience and perseverance in everything? Answer: The grace of God helps. I always believe in the power of God, my child, Who alters and adjusts everything for the benefit of our soul.

      -The person who gets agitated doesn't think straight, logically.

      -When I see a person who is irritated, I don't listen to what he is saying, but pray for God to pacify him. That's why I don't get distressed. When they calm down, when the time is right, I talk to them because they are then in a position to comprehend their foolishness.

      -The Grace of God and spiritual union with Him transform a person Fears and suspicions go away, he doesn't fear death, and views this life, however good it may be, as slavery.

      -God is visiting you when tears come during prayer.

      -When a person is simplified, he is deified. He becomes innocent, humble, gentle, free.

      -Never ever give importance to anything earthly and fleeting. Take care of your spiritual union with God instead.

      -When you hear your name being criticized act as if you didn't hear. This is Paradise, this is perfection.

      -Our religion slays the passions, not the body.

  

The grave of the Blessed Amphilochios of Patmos, it reads: "We are translated from death to life when we love the brethren" (I John 3:14), "Amphilochios the Hieromonk Makris, Brother of the Holy Monastery of St. John the Theologian, Founder of the Holy Montastery of the "Annunciation, Mother of the Beloved", who reposed on April 16th of the year of salvation 1970." "Love towards God and your neighbor is the foundation of the Law and the Prophets, fulfilling the cornerstone.", from the service to St. Savvas the Sanctified." (souce)

  

      -Where there is fear of God, wisdom is given.

      -I want you to be calm so that we can meet. When you're tired the wireless doesn't work.

      -The Christian is a true human being He is courteous and polite. He doesn't want to sadden anybody.

      -Innocence is greater than genius.

      -A person who suffers from egotism attracts no-one. And if he does attract someone he will soon go away. When one comes across a childlike spirit, innocence and holiness the bond becomes unbreakable.

      -The spiritual life has great pleasures. You fly, you leave the world, you don't consider anything. You become children and God dwells in your heart.

      -The Grace of the All-Holy Spirit makes a person send out rays. However, other people must have a good receiver in order to realise this.

      -We must have our gaze fixed on heaven. Then nothing will shake us.

      -Take communion regularly, pray warmly, be patient and you will see a strong hand holding you.

      -Christ is near us even if we don't see Him. Sometimes, from his great love, He gives us a slap too. You should be glad. Jesus holds an artists’ chisel in His hands. He wants to make a statue of you, for the Heavenly Palace.

      -The person who shouts has no strength.

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Elder Amphilochios of Patmos (source)

  

Apolytikion in the First Tone. The citizen of the desert.

The pillar of piety and example for Priests, the friend of the Beloved, and new righteous one of Christ, O faithful, let us honor the divine Amphilochios with sacred hymns, crying out: O offspring of Patmos, intercede on behalf of us to Him Whom you stand before. Glory to Him Who granted you strength, glory to Him Who sanctified you, glory to Him Who grants to us through you, all greater things.

Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone. Though You descended into the grave.

You abandoned worldly things, O Father, in order to struggle and gain Christ, and you rose above the things of the earth, and headed as a victor towards the heavens, having trampled upon the devices and wiles of satan. Therefore, do not cease to entreat on behalf of us who honor you, O wise Amphilochios, to the Compassionate One.

  

St. Amphilochios of Patmos (source)

  

Oikos.

The Prophet David prophesied in the book of the Psalms: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His venerable one." Therefore, we find this fulfilled in you, O divine Father Amphilochios. For you pleased your Master with divine words and good deeds, giving glory to Him instead. Therefore, we who have gathered today, honor you harmoniously, as the founder of Churches, Monasteries and Hermitages, as a precious vessel of sacredness and a soul-nourishing benefactor of Christians by your teachings and instructions. But, as the boast of the famed island of Patmos, as the follower of the Venerable Christodoulos, and the close friend of the missionary Evangelist and Virgin Disciple and man equal-to-the-angel [John the Theologian], you ceaselessly entreat on behalf of us to the Compassionate One.

Synaxarion.

On the 16th of this month [April], the memory of the Venerable Amphilochios of Patmos

Verses

He shined with the radiant light of the priesthood,

Being righteous to God by word and deed.

On the sixteenth, Amphilochios departed upwards in the spirit.

Megalynarion

Rejoice, the sacred offspring of the island of Patmos, O Father and Priest Amphilochios, who spoke of God, you showed forth the desert places to be full of the fruit through your divine virtues and your struggles.

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The icon and holy relics of the Blessed Amphilochios, treasured by the Monastery he founded of the Annunciation, "The Mother of the Beloved", on Patmos (source)

   

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