Akathist to St. Gerasimos of Cephalonia the Wonderworker

St. Gerasimos of Cephalonia the Wonderworker (Source)

  
May St. Gerasimos help all those who are sick and suffering throughout the whole world, especially those possessed by, under the influence of, or afflicted in any way by the demons, as he is a mighty protector of Orthodox Christians.
  
Akathist to St. Gerasimos of Cephalonia the Wonderworker

Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
As a deliverer and fervent protector, O glorious one, you ever hasten to help those in dangers, therefore we praise you in hymns, O God-bearer Gerasimos, and we praise you faithfully and ascribe you as the most-compassionate protector of your island, as we cry out: Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.
  
Oikoi

You were known to be an Angel of godly-mind in the world, O Gerasimos, as you lived like the Bodiless [Angels] (3), and your body has remained incorrupt, and pours forth heavenly fragrance for those who behold you, and compels them to cry out these things:
Rejoice, the glory of priests,
Rejoice, the boast of monastics.
Rejoice, the fellow-dweller with the Holy Angels,
Rejoice, the all-joyous home of the Trinity.
Rejoice, height of divine knowledge that cannot be searched by many,
Rejoice, depth of humility that cannot be perceived by mortals.
Rejoice, for you were seen as the pinnacle of theoria,
Rejoice, for you appear to be a guide in praxis.
Rejoice, the unassailable pillar of Cephalonia,
Rejoice, the closest friend of the Lord.
Rejoice, lamp-lighter of reverent truth,
Rejoice, seal of noetic work.
Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.
  
The famed island of Cephalonia, beholding the wonder of your sacred Relic, with fervor praises the ineffable grace and healing granted by you, O Gerasimos, crying out to God the hymn: Alleluia.
  
Bearing godly knowledge, O pinnacle of Venerable Saints, you hastened towards the Promised Land, and having remained in the desert fasting for forty days, you received the grace to foresee the future and you hear from us:
Rejoice, you who cast away demons through your body,
Rejoice, you who bear zeal in your heart.
Rejoice, the pinnacle of sacred Venerable Saints,
Rejoice, the radiance of holy pure ones.
Rejoice, you who dwell with the choirs of the Angels,
Rejoice, you who partake of the food of Paradise.
Rejoice, you who are alive in your soul while dead in your body,
Rejoice, you who dwell in the mansions of heaven.
Rejoice, you who heal the passion of hemorrhage,
Rejoice, you who lifted up the woman from the well.
Rejoice, guide and protector of those upon the sea,
Rejoice, savior and deliverer of those in dangers.
Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.
  
Power from heaven was granted to you, O thrice-blessed Gerasimos, for you remained fasting with only a zucchini, and foreseeing through the Spirit, not seeking respite of the body, while saying: Alleluia.
  
Having you as its great patron and light, Cephalonia greatly boasts in you, and rejoicing in spirit, she cries out to you, chanting things such as these:
Rejoice, unending spring of wonders,
Rejoice, unsleeping protector of true dogmas.
Rejoice, the speedy consolation of those mourning,
Rejoice, the ready lifting up of the deluded.
Rejoice, light of discernment that shines clearly,
Rejoice, star of clairvoyance that radiates brightly.
Rejoice, unemptying source of miracles,
Rejoice, unhealable wound to the demons.
Rejoice, the wise advisor of chastity,
Rejoice, the speedy deposer of intemperance.
Rejoice, divine vessel of Christ,
Rejoice the great surrounding wall of the faithful.
Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.
  
Fleeing from the insanity of the world, O blessed one of God, you lived with hesychia on Mount Omalon, and you worked a multitude of wonders, saving and leading your Nuns towards the calm waters of the Kingdom, as they cry out: Alleluia.
  

St. Gerasimos of Cephalonia (source)

  
The ends of the earth have heard of your strange wonders, O Gerasimos, which you work daily, and those who are sick hasten to the sacred spring of your wonders, which we honor, saying:
Rejoice, you who traded corruptible things for those of heaven,
Rejoice, you who destroyed the ranks of the demons.
Rejoice, you who gather with the pastures of the Angels,
Rejoice, you who dance together with the Saints unto the ages.
Rejoice, the most-fervent fellow-servant of the wise Angels,
Rejoice, the most-wise guide of monastics.
Rejoice, the sacred adornment of the Venerable,
Rejoice, the radiant rejoicing of the Fathers.
Rejoice, the firm protector from passions,
Rejoice, you who bear the trophy of God.
Rejoice, you who surpassed the knowledge of the wise,
Rejoice, you who enlighten the minds of the faithful.
Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.
  
Perceiving Gerasimos to be a God-bearer, and beloved by the youth, many hasten in faith to be delivered from the demons, and having received their deliverance, they cry out to the Savior with godly fervor: Alleluia.
  
Your life shows us the heavenly road, O Gerasimos, and boast of the Venerable, through uplifted asceticism and godly struggle, which we are called to follow, as we cry out these things with fervor:
Rejoice, standard of self-control,
Rejoice, lamp of piety.
Rejoice, spiritual statue of asceticism,
Rejoice, imprint of the monastic life.
Rejoice, high mountain of true virginity,
Rejoice, the wise consolation of holiness.
Rejoice, canon of fasting equal-to-the-Angels,
Rejoice, icon of purity granted by God.
Rejoice, way of life of truth,
Rejoice, bearer of wise providence in mind.
Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.
  
Counting worldly passions and the flesh as nothing, O blessed Gerasimos, you had zucchini for your food and water to drink, and a poor garment, while you thought only of your soul, saying: Alleluia.
  
You nurtured your flock with your words and your life, leading them towards the life of green pasture, and watering them, as a loving and caring Father, strengthening them paradoxically with your wonders, and healing those who are suffering terribly, who therefore cry out:
Rejoice, radiant vessel of the Trinity,
Rejoice, joyous treasure of purity.
Rejoice, you who worked wonders before your repose,
Rejoice, who after your repose work awesome deeds.
Rejoice, you who were laid in the grave as one dead,
Rejoice, you who proceed throughout the earth as one alive.
Rejoice, you who are hymned by the multitudes of Cephalonians,
Rejoice, you who are praised by the ranks of Monastics.
Rejoice, lamp-lighter among the Venerable,
Rejoice, lightning of godly graces.
Rejoice, you who received the unfading crown,
Rejoice, you who inherited the eternal mansion.
Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.
  
O thrice-blessed One, your proceeded to the life to come from this passing life, towards the heavenly mansions, and you bent your knee, fervently praying that your spirit might be delivered to the hand of God, as those who beheld you were astonished, crying out: Alleluia.
  

St. Gerasimos of Kefalonia (source)

  

A new song is offered to you loudly, O Gerasimos, as we cry out of your great feats that you work for the sick, healing demoniacs, and granting all requests, and we all therefore cry out in reverence:
Rejoice, you who trampled upon the worldly ideas,
Rejoice, you who deliver from the bitter things of life,
Rejoice, you whose body was shown to be a spring of wonders,
Rejoice, you whose soul has joined with the Angels.
Rejoice, for you bore Christ your God in your mind,
Rejoice, for you desired the joys of Paradise.
Rejoice, you who studied the uplifted way to heaven,
Rejoice, you who dwell in the pure mansions on high.
Rejoice, for you ever have the Angels as your compatriots,
Rejoice, for you have inherited the Saints as your friends.
Rejoice, through whom light has shined upon the faithful,
Rejoice, through whom the faithless are inflamed.
Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.

We behold a strange wonder, as your long-dead body appears alive in your reliquary, and through this the uplifted God has given to those upon the earth the power to cast out the demons, and to God we cry out: Alleluia.
 
While being wholly in the flesh below, your soul has not left the things above, O Gerasimos. You work wonders that astonish every mind and ear, and therefore we are astonished and cry out things like this:
Rejoice, he who is full of the wisdom of God,
Rejoice, mystic of His providence,
Rejoice, rhetor taught by God, teaching towards Christ,
Rejoice, spring of healings welling up for the faithful.
Rejoice, you who lived in purity before your death,
Rejoice, you who after your repose proceeded towards God.
Rejoice, you in whom the light of God has been founded,
Rejoice, you in whom His grace has come to dwell.
Rejoice, oasis for the pious Orthodox,
Rejoice, sharp sword against the faithless.
Rejoice, you who drive away the madness of the demons,
Rejoice, you who shine forth with the rays of wonders.
Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.
 
You have received every grace from heaven, O thrice-blessed Gerasimos, working wondrous things and living well in asceticism like the bodiless ones, overcoming the laws of nature while your body has remained incorrupt, healing those who cry out: Alleluia.
 
You have been shown to be a mighty protector of the Church of Christ, O blessed Gerasimos, and a great defender of the faithful people, for they know of the many dangers that they have been delivered from and ever take refuge in you, and are moved to cry out to you:
Rejoice, protecting wall of the pious faithful,
Rejoice, pride of the nations bearing the name of Christ.
Rejoice, firm strength of monastics,
Rejoice, radiant boast of priests.
Rejoice, you who grant every grace to those who hymn you,
Rejoice, you who grant every healing to the faithful.
Rejoice, for you are a godly pillar of graces,
Rejoice, destroyer of the demons through divine power.
Rejoice, pure dwelling-place of God,
Rejoice, chaste chosen one of Christ.
Rejoice, fragrance of Christ,
Rejoice, delectable nourishment of the faithful.
Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.
  
Save all of those who honor your memory with fervor, and who honor your divine icon, and deliver them from every danger and distress, and save those who call upon you, crying out to God: Alleluia.
  

St. Gerasimos of Kephalonia (source)

  
You have become a protecting wall for Cephalonia, O Father, and for all those who take refuge in you, therefore deliver from famine and earthquake, and hasten to everyone in need, while they cry out to you these things in thanksgiving:
Rejoice, eternal nectar of mortals,
Rejoice, flower-bearing springtime of men.
Rejoice, the ready consolation of those saddened,
Rejoice, the speedy lifting up of those deluded.
Rejoice, you who entreat towards the good disposition of God,
Rejoice, the compassionate deliverer from depression.
Rejoice, health for those ailing among the faithful,
Rejoice, purity for those amidst corruption.
Rejoice, great savior of those cast down,
Rejoice, divine entreaty for sinners.
Rejoice, you who grant to us from the sea of your graces,
Rejoice, for you show the mercy of your wonders to all.
Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.
  
We all offer hymns, O blessed one, at the treasure of your Relic, O God-bearer Gerasimos, offering tears with our odes in response to the graces which you have granted to us the faithful, and who cry along with you: Alleluia.
  
The treasure of your sacred Relic has been shown to be light-bearing, O Father Gerasimos, and it shines with grace like rays of light upon those who approach, granting joy and health that you speedily send forth, as we who embrace them cry out these things:
Rejoice, you who called forth hymnologists at your burial,
Rejoice, you who put to death those who speak false things through your might.
Rejoice, for you grant us grace from the sea of your graces,
Rejoice, for you grant to all the myrrh of your mercy.
Rejoice, the sure consolation of those who take refuge in you,
Rejoice, the salvation of those who approach you in soul.
Rejoice, you who drive out the dangers of the demons from your island,
Rejoice, you who trample upon their evil assaults.
Rejoice, you who depose the boldness of barbarians,
Rejoice, you who put to naught to darkness of the demons.
Rejoice, tower that reaches the heights of heaven,
Rejoice, wall raised up against the battle of the enemies.
Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.
  
Bearing grace from above, O Gerasimos, you drive out every assault of the enemies, and your preserved your island from famine, hastening and walking upon the sea to those who call upon you, delivering everyone from dangers who cry out to God: Alleluia.
  
As we chant this hymn to your, O ever-memorable Father, we encircle your holy reliquary, which pours forth the grace of wonders for those who approach it with faith, and you therefore protect those who cry out to you:
Rejoice, you who extended your soul towards God,
Rejoice, who drove away the assaults of the flesh.
Rejoice, you who grant to those present as ones without any help,
Rejoice, you who care for the abiding things to come.
Rejoice, you who deliver from famine and drought,
Rejoice, you who deliver many from hunger.
Rejoice, unsleeping shepherd of the Monastery of Omalon,
Rejoice, free physician and protector of many.
Rejoice, for you pour forth myrrh from your Relic freely,
Rejoice, for your Church pours forth a multitudes of graces.
Rejoice, through whom the sick are healed,
Rejoice, through whom the passions are cast out.
Rejoice, O Father Gerasimos.
  
O thrice-joyous Father, the protector of your island and of the unassailable intercessor for all, (3) receive these proper odes from us, your entreators, and deliver from eternal hell, through your intercessions to God, those who cry out to you: Alleluia.
  
And again, the Kontakion.
(source)
  

St. Gerasimos of Cephalonia (source)

  

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

St. Paisios on the incorrupt Relics of the Ionian

Sts. Spyridon of Corfu, Gerasimos of Cephalonia and Dionysios of Zakynthos, three great wonderworker of Christ  whose incorrupt Holy Bodies bless and protect the peoples of the Ionian (source)

   

Elder, could St. Spyridon have asked from God that his Relic remain incorrupt?

-No, how could that have happened? The Saints don't ask for such things. God willed that his Relic remain incorrupt in order to help people. And behold how God arranges things! Because Kerkyra (Corfu), Cephalonia and Zakynthos are near Italy, and that it would be easy for people to be seduced by Catholicism, He placed a great barrier there: St. Spyridon, St. Gerasimos and St. Dionysios.
 

Amateur translation from Source: Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain, Words VI, On Prayer. The Holy Hesychasterion "St. John the Theologian", Souroti, Thessaloniki (http://vatopaidi.wordpress.com/2012/12/12/ο-γέροντας-παΐσιος-για-τον-άγιο-σπυρίδ/)

   

Sts. Spyridon, Gerasimos and Dionysios the Wonderworker (source)

      

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

The Relationship between Sts. Gerasimos and Makarios Notaras

St. Gerasimos the Righteous Wonderworker of Cephalonia (http://www.saint.gr/797/saint.aspx)

The Relationship between Sts. Gerasimos and Makarios Notaras (amateur translation)
After the arbitrary and anti-canonical dis-enthronement of St. Makarios from his see of Corinth, he continued his preaching and missionary work on different islands of [Greece].

His first stop in 1771 was Zakynthos, but his love and reverence towards his relative, St. Gerasimos Notaras (1509 – 1579), led him to Cephalonia to venerate the grace-flowing and incorrupt holy relic of St. Gerasimos, offering thus his pious respect to the Saint, whom he kept as a radiant example of the life according to Christ.

The arrival and stay on Cephalonia of the God-bearing and well-known Bishop of Corinth, St. Makarios, was accompanied by wondrous signs and occurrences, which revealed in the finest way the living presence of God and His Saints…

The miracle had been recorded in the oral tradition of the monastery, and till this day, the nuns mention the following: St. Makarios, having venerated the holy relic of St. Gerasimos, wanted to remain by himself before the reliquary after the setting of the sun. This, however, was forbidden according to the typikon of the monastery. The strong persistence of St. Makarios provoked the curiosity of the nuns, who decided to make an exception to allow the Saint to remain in front of the holy relic. Then, a few nuns hid in the corner to see what the Saint would do. In this way they became witnesses of an astonishing miracle: while St. Makarios knelt before the reliquary, the reliquary opened and St. Gerasimos arose. The two Saints embraced each other, and having spoken together, St. Gerasimos the wonderworker, the incorrupt in body and living in spirit, entered once again into the reliquary.

St. Gerasimos rising miraculously to embrace his relative, St. Makarios of Corinth (http://syndesmosklchi.blogspot.com/2011/04/blog-post_5214.html)

The contemporary sisterhood of the monastery of St. Gerasimos decided, out of reverence to St. Makarios and to make better known the miracle, to paint the icon of this occurrence in the beautiful and grand Holy Church of St. Gerasimos in the monastery at Omalon. It was painted by Mr. Elias Georgatos, who depicted the whole story in the magnificent holy church.

St. Makarios remained in the monastery of St. Gerasimos for a few months. In December 1771, he wrote the “Collection of Exhortations and Examples of our Righteous Fathers” «Συλλογή παραινέσεων και υποδειγμάτων των οσίων πατέρων ημών».

The Saint’s sacred presence on Cephalonia was significant, and to this day is preserved as a precious treasure a sanctified antimension with the signature of St. Makarios, in the Religious Museum of the Holy Monastery of St. Andrew Melapidias.

After his stay on Cephalonia, the Saint left again for Zakynthos, where he remained three years, after which he continued on to visit Hydra, Patmos, Leipsous, Samos, Ikaria, and Chios, where he reposed in righteousness April 17th, 1805.
(http://syndesmosklchi.blogspot.com/2011/04/blog-post_5214.html)

St. Makarios of Corinth (http://www.chiosmastic.gr/2011/04/%CE%BF-%CE%B1%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%BF%CF%83-%CE%BC%CE%B1%CE%BA%CE%B1%CF%81%CE%B9%CE%BF%CF%83-%CE%BF-%CE%BD%CE%BF%CF%84%CE%B1%CF%81%CE%B1%CF%83-%CE%B1%CF%81%CF%87%CE%B9%CE%B5%CF%80%CE%B9%CF%83%CE%BA%CE%BF/)

Sts. Gerasimos and Makarios Notaras, relatives according to the flesh and the spirit (source)

 

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

St. Gerasimos of Cephalonia

St. Gerasimos the Righteous of Cephalonia - Commemorated on October 20 and August 16th (icon taken from: http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=103007)

"Saint Gerasimus the New Ascetic of Cephalonia was born in the village of Trikkala in the Peloponessos. As a young adult, he became a monk on the island of Zakynthos. On the Holy Mountain he became a schemamonk and studied with the ascetics of Mt Athos. Receiving a blessing from the Elders, the monk went to Jerusalem to worship at the Life-bearing Tomb of the Savior. After visiting many holy places in Jerusalem, Mount Sinai, Antioch, Damascus, Alexandria and Egypt, he returned to Jerusalem where he became a lamp-lighter at the Sepulchre of the Lord.

The monk was ordained a deacon and then a priest by the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Germanus (1534-1579). St Gerasimus maintained the discipline of an ascetic. For solitude he withdrew to the Jordan, where he spent forty days without respite. Having received the Patriarch's blessing for a life of silence, St Gerasimus withdrew to Zakynthos in solitude, eating only vegetation.

After five years he was inspired to go the island of Cephalonia, where he lived in a cave. He restored a church at Omala, and he founded a women's monastery where he lived in constant toil and vigil for thirty years. He prayed on bent knees stretched out on the ground. For his exalted life he was granted a miraculous gift: the ability to heal the sick and cast out unclean spirits.

Icon depicting the repose of St. Gerasimos (Icon courtesy of www.eikonografos.com used with permission)

At 71 years of age, the venerable Gerasimus knew that he would soon die. He gave his blessing to the nuns and peacefully fell asleep in the Lord on August 15, 1579. Two years later, his grave was opened and his holy relics were found fragrant and incorrupt with a healing power.

Since the Feast of the Dormition falls on August 15, St Gerasimus is commemorated on August 16th. Today's Feast celebrates the uncovering of his holy relics in 1581." (taken from: http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=103007)

Another icon of St. Gerasimos (Icon courtesy of www.eikonografos.com used with permission)

The Celebration of St. Gerasimos on Cephalonia

"We thus come to the great day, the most significant day for Cephalonia and all Cephalonians living on the island or abroad: St. Gerasimos Dormition Day. St Gerasimos actually died on August 15th of 1579, the Dormition of Theotokos Day. As a result, the celebration of his memory was moved to the next day August 16th.

On the afternoon of the 15th , St. Gerasimos' Sacred Relic is moved in a litany procession from the older church that lies over his grave, amidst truly emotional and touching reactions from the devout who express their faith in God and their respect for St. Gerasimos.

The Sacred Relic is placed in a specially prepared place within the magnificent new church. Small Vespers begin and the devout start to pay respects from about 6pm until noon of the next day.

An Archieratic Liturgy is held on Saint Gerasimos Day followed by a Litany which is attended by clergy, nuns, monks, officials and thousands of Christians. The procession, which is accompanied by bands, an army honor corp, and boy scouts, ends up at the large plane tree when a prayer is chanted. The Metropolitan delivers a speech and the procession returns to the church where the public continues to worship the Sacred Relic. The Saint's Sacred Relic is returned to the smaller church and placed back in the larnax in the afternoon. A reception complete with an official dinner is given afterwards in the Convent's spacious Hall.

In the evening a special event in honor of Saint Gerasimos takes place in Argostoli. First, there is a litany of his icon throughout the town's streets which ends up at the main square. A special prayer is said and the Metropolitan addresses the cogregation...

In October, everything revolves around the commemoration of the Restitution of St. Gerasimos' Sacred Relic on the 20th of the month. The ceremonies take place at Saint Gerasimos Convent at Omala. The ceremony schedule of August 16th is repeated once again with the participation of clergy, the nuns and many officials. Small Vespers is followed by a dinner given at the Convent Hall for the clergy and the officials. The ceremonies proceed with Great Vespers and Matins officiated by the Metropolitan. The Saint's Praises are chanted. Around 1 am, followed by the Divine Liturgy. The Metropolitan departs around 2 am. On October 20th, an Archieratic Liturgy and Litany of the Sacred Relic take place.. Literally thousands of Christians come to pay their respect to Saint Gerasimos during the two days. At the conclusion of the ceremonies, the Sacred Relic is taken back to the smaller church and placed in its larnax.

A celebration is also held on this day in St. Gerasimos Church in Lixouri where the Saint's Icon is litanized through the town in the afternoon. A prayer is said at the main square and the Metropolitan addresses the congregation and the officials." (taken from: http://www.imk.gr/eng/opk/opk08.htm; see the link for an account of all the major feasts of the island)

The interior of St. Gerasimos Cathedral, with his sacred, incorrupt Relic in the background (taken from: http://www.imk.gr/eng/opk/opk07f.htm)

ST. GERASIMOS LITANY
by Father Ioannis Mesoloras
"It is true that our villages owe a great deal to the presence of the Saint and His Convent at Omala Valley. The entire area celebrates and rejoices when St. Gerasimos is litanized to the plane tree and the thrushing fields. The Saint is seen as the sun by the folk poet as He comes out of His Church and lightens the mountain-enclosed area of the valley.

"As the sun you emerge from Your church Gerasimos, and with heaven's angels you ascend the heights".

This valley will exclusively receive His Blessing. According to tradition, many times it was attempted to remove Him from here, without success. A little further down on the road to Troianata, the location is called "podoria" and it is the place from where He could be moved no further. He would become heavy. He feels content here because it is the place He chose among so many others he visited. He thus reigns over Omala and several times during the year He promenades like a rarely-seen nobleman for His subjects to admire and rejoice. And they come in thousands. Among the procession, He in the middle, raised high, humble, untouched by time, in His clerical robes which like His body did not perish in the grave.

Heading the procession are children holding cherubs and the choir chanting "Oh, Saint of God, intervene on our behalf...."

Clergy and nuns all around Him, and a humbly saintly monk - Gerasimos Psihalas from Xiromero, holding the rug on which He will be placed on the Well. Coming up behind are Metropolitans - Cephalonians do take an interest, they ask: "how many Metropolitans will come?" - officials and the congregation of God. His procession to the plane tree is a blessing, the exodus of a king to his kingdom. He will rest at the Well that He dug, under the shade of the plane tree - His eternal signs according to the poet " - a five-branch plane tree and a deep well you left for us Gerasimos as an eternal sign". The water in the Well will overflow and the leaves of the plane tree will thrush to greet The Master.

A picture of one of the plane trees planted by St. Gerasimos (taken from: http://www.imk.gr/eng/opk/opk07f.htm)

Ah, this Litany! The church bells are ringing in joy, music is playing, soldiers are marching with arms. Who knows what the Omala Ascetic is thinking? Can He see it all, can He hear it all?

These poor folks are trying to exalt Him. Officials in presence, the bands, the chanters with their melodies, the clergy and the metropolitans with their gold-weaved robes. Speeches, thank yous, praises, meals...

Accept all this, Holy Ascetic. This is what the people are able and know to offer. If need be, don't pay attention. If it's not to Your liking, look elsewhere. Look at the valleys, the trees, the mountains.

" -The valleys and mountains shine in Your presence- the trees bow their branches to worship You, listen to the birds - through the leaves of the trees the birds sing angels' hymns - sing for You Gerasimos of Virtue". And if You pass on to the unwordly, listen " the Angels in Heaven officiate at Your Liturgy".

What a festivity, what a joy is the Saint's Litany! Everything takes on a new look- Has the Saint come out, what time is the Saint coming out? Asks the Cephalonian. Asks loudly, theatrically, theologically. They are not taking Him out - He is coming out, He is alive, He moves, He acts and above all He comes out to distribute gifts like a nobleman and administrator of heavenly wealth to His subjects: "Everywhere You spread comfort, joy, bliss and invisibly You give charity".

Everyone rejoices, is touched, cries, cross themselves and pray: but some are moved to convulsions

"- the demons are torn in the presence of Your Sacred Relic-
- They beg You to stop being angry-
- To not throw them to the wild flames-
- Asking complete freedom from You- "

[Note: St. Gerasimos is known to especially help those possessed by demons]

So much freedom as to torture the children of God. " to run free and at will to torture the sinful, to run and gather them from everywhere ".

The insane are the Saint's expertise according to the nuns, which is why there were special quarters for them to do their "forties" (40 days of Lent) in order to be absolved of the demons that had conquered them. Observe what happens at the Litany. Black dressed souls, men, women, children, all running to secure a position to lay down anywhere along the procession's way so that the Saint may pass over them. The relations of the insane try to place them - some cooperate, others resist. Some of them will find a spot somewhere. The clergymen give instructions - some of them in an inappropriate way that gives the impression of unloading a boat - policemen put people in order. Everyone is looking for a position, some must line up, others must bow. As the Saint is approaching, everyone calms down. He passes over them. A miracle can now take place. If not this time, maybe another, faith is not spent. The Litany however is the peak of hope. At the plane tree, prayers are said, hymns are chanted, speeches are given, thanks are directed to those who attended and honored the Saint with their presence, and the procession starts to retrace its way back. Passing the thrushing fields, "The Farmer of Omala" - according to the late socialist Antonis Tritsis - is at His element. Here, at the place where the crops were processed, the prayer " for the fertility of the earth and peaceful times " will be heard, and chanting the departure hymns the " association of ascetics, clergy, choir, and numerous celebration participants..." will return to the "small" church ....(there is a big, Byzantine style church as well).

Picture from the Litany of St. Gerasimos' Relics in 1964. It is striking to see the number of people laying on the ground out of humility and devotion to be passed over by the Saint's relics. (taken from: http://marvelous2007.blogspot.com/2007/06/blog-post_09.html)

 The Saint has been placed in His Dormition place. The crowd awaits to pay respects. The officials have paid their respects while the Saint was held up at the western gate where a memorial prayer was said for His parents Dimitrios and Kallie and all the deceased. The clergy hurriedly disrobe and wish "may the Saint look over us". The pilgrims begin to leave and soon Omala Valley will be deserted and the Saint will be peaceful in His Dormition. The congregation however will not have gone away empty-handed, they will have taken something: conscecrated bread, blessed charms from the nuns, icons, crosses, soil from His grave, leaves from the plane tree, blessed bread, and those who got the chance, coffee and sweets at the Abbey. Some will go to the Convent Dining Room for the meal. The locals will go home where they'll most likely have boiled goat. In the past, all homes had extra food for the relatives and friends who came on the pilgrimage. They surely had to have something after hours without eating, tired from the night vigil.

In our days, they leave, most go home, we invite them but they are not very receptive, they have cars and leave...

What finally remains in the mind and soul after participating in the Litany? Every Cephalonian can express it, the locals at Omala live through it so often..

Despite this, something obscene remains on the tongue of many Cephalonians, which the poet of the verses that provoked this article, begs to stop: blasphemy.

"My beloved Christians, stop blasphemizing St. Gerasimos

and among others, respect the child of Trikala".

(published in the local newspaper "Frangata" - 1995, taken from: http://www.imk.gr/eng/opk/main.htm)

See: http://www.imk.gr/eng/opk/opk07f.htm for information and pictures from the Monastery of St. Gerasimos (along with http://kefaloniasphotobank.blogspot.com/2008/12/16-2008.html) , and: http://www.imk.gr/eng/opk/opk07i.htm on the Cave of St. Gerasimos where he lived in asceticism for five years.

Another icon of St. Gerasimos (taken from: http://www.rel.gr/photo/displayimage.php?album=26&pos=117)

A few miracles of St. Gerasimos of Cephalonia (amateur translation)

"When therefore the Saint is processed and arrives at the plane tree he is placed above the well that is found there. Years before, most likely around 1930, my grandmother was lucky to be there, and had heard of the miracle when they placed the Saint above this well, it overflowed with water. She however did not believe it saying that it was an exaggeration. However she told me, and I won’t forget as long as I live “I Gerasimos, I saw it overflow and no one can make be deny it” Certainly then there was real faith and to go venerate in Omala you would fast before for days. The trip also was by foot, which was the real way of life.

The second miracle regards a girl, who when her mother was pregnant, presented with complications and the doctors advised her to have an abortion because with certainty they believed that if the child would be born alive it would have many problems. The pious parents however did not even hear of abortion and having no other doctor they took refuge in the Saint and prayed, and gave birth to a baby girl who today is graced with total health.

And the third miracle regards a woman who had a demon and the demons tremble at only hearing the name of the Saint. The woman remained at the monastery for a period of time, given hospitality by the nuns and at a Divine Liturgy the demon could not bear it, and later she herself recounted that she felt something with power leave her body. I must say that a few days before I arrived and when the priest was performing the Holy Unction, and when the time came for the priest to anoint this woman with the demon she got up and said a phrase that I remembered characteristically “Is it not enough that the old priest that stays here doesn’t leave me in peace day or night, and today you with the oil, the two of you will burn me” and as soon as she was anointed, the demon was so shaken that the woman fell down unconscious and after a few days by the grace of the Saint she was freed.

These are only a few words brethren, which in reality is little for St. Gerasimos, as the current Eldress nun Kassiane and her synodeia have experienced so many miracles that they are uncountable…" (http://glixouri.blogspot.com/2007/11/blog-post_8568.html)

"[St. Gerasimos'] most characteristic motto, which he preached until he died, was "Children, live in peace and do not be arrogant".

(taken from: http://www.imk.gr/eng/opk/main.htm)

Another icon of St. Gerasimos (Icon courtesy of www.eikonografos.com used with permission)

Apolytikion in the First Tone

O believers, let us praise the protector of the Orthodox, The God-bearing miracle-worker lately appearing to us, the incarnate angel, divine Gerasimos. For he has rightly received from God the ever-flowing grace of performing healing. He strengthens those with diseases and he heals those with demons. And therefore he pours out healings to those who honor him.

Kontakion in the Third Tone

Now doth Cephalonia, with sacred songs of thanksgiving, call upon the multitudes of all the Orthodox Christians to extol the boast and glory of Orthodoxy, the divine and great Gerasimus, who is truly her deliverer and champion, who doth preserve her from all the harm of her foes.

(taken from: http://goarch.org/chapel/saints_view?contentid=250)

The full service of St. Gerasimos in Greek under the title "Ακολουθία του οσίου και θεοφόρου Πατρός ημών Γερασίμου του νέου ασκητού..." is available (in numerous editions) here: http://anemi.lib.uoc.gr/search/?store_query=1&display_mode=overview&search_help=list&dtab=m&search_type=simple&search_help=&display_mode=overview&wf_step=init&show_hidden=0&number=100&keep_number=&cclterm1=&cclterm2=&cclterm3=&cclterm4=&cclterm5=&cclterm6=&cclterm7=&cclterm8=&cclfield1=&cclfield2=&cclfield3=&cclfield4=&cclfield5=&cclfield6=&cclfield7=&cclfield8=&cclop1=&cclop2=&cclop3=&cclop4=&cclop5=&cclop6=&cclop7=&isp=&search_coll[metadata]=1&stored_cclquery=&skin=&rss=0&cclfield1=term&search_coll[metadata]=1&cclterm1=%CE%B3%CE%B5%CF%81%CE%B1%CF%83%CE%AF%CE%BC%CE%BF%CF%85#.

St. Gerasimos the Righteous Wonderworker of Cephalonia (http://www.saint.gr/797/saint.aspx)

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