"What crowns of praise shall we place upon the Hierarch..."

St. Nektarios the Wonderworker (source)

What crowns of praise shall we place upon the Hierarch, he who lately shown forth and illumined the Church with the lamp of piety? The new adornment of the Orthodox, and equal in zeal to the former Arch-priests. For by his way of life full of wisdom, he was glorified by Christ, Who grants to all, through him, the great mercy.

-Prosomoion of the Stichera for the Feast of St. Nektarios the Wonderworker

(source)

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

"I am Saint Efraim..."

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!

St. Ephraim of Nea Makri (source)

   

I am Saint Efraim
(Written by a Pilgrim to the Monastery on June 17, 1971)
"Venerable Mother, I will tell you about a dream I had today. I dreamt that I was in the Church and we had the prayer after Supper. When it was over, as we were leaving I turned my head back and I saw Saint Efraim in front of the Altar. With fear, I went to Him and I heard Him telling me, "I am Saint Efraim. Light the oil candles of the Holy Altar." I was very scared and I called one of the Sisters. Saint Efraim approached me and once again told me, "I am Saint Efraim and He started chanting with His sweet voice, "Restrained by many temptations..." (from the Small Paraklesis to the Theotokos). 

Sts. Ephraim of Nea Makri and Nektarios of Aegina, two great Wonderworkers of the 20th Century (source)

   

He signaled us to stop, He sat down and started to tell us all about His sufferings; how much those bloodthirsty wolves, those infidel Ottomen had tortured Him. And he kept talking, "They were torturing me even after I had died. You don't know how much I have suffered. They put in my head big sharp nails and nailed it to the tree. He did His cross and said, "I suffered a lot", and did his cross again.

I wanted to cry, my Saint. To cry for your terrible ordeal, but I don't have this kind of tears that can reach you. My Saint, with your intercessions, purify my tears and accept them as a supplication of love to your Saintly martyr holiness.

My Saint, we most devoutly [venerate] your sufferings.
Don't stop mediating to the Lord to have mercy on us.

Sts. Ephraim of Nea Makri and Nektarios of Aegina, the Wonderworkers (source)

  
It is true that the Saint's grace has gotten outside our boundaries. A young woman from Kalamata told us that she had gone to Zakynthos to a Monastery and the Mother Superior had told her, "We are expecting a Saint to pass by here." When the young woman asked who that Saint was, she was told it was Saint Efraim, in glory and grandeur. Before Saint Efraim, a Nun with a lit candle was marching in solemnity.

It was September 14, 1971 that I was planning to come to the Monastery for my offering. A few days earlier, I saw the following dream: It was noon time and I was resting when Saint Nectarios along with some other Saint that I didn't know, appeared in front of me. That other Saint was dressed in an ascetic cassock. He was tall and very thin and had a calm ascetic and serious expression. When I asked them who they were, the Saint told me, "Efraim" and started telling me something about the 14th of September, the day of the Holy Cross..., but before I could understand what He wants, I woke up. Later I learned that the Saint was born on that day and on that day His sufferings started and ended on May 5, 1426."

Excerpt from the Book Visions and Miracles of the Great Martyr and Miracle-Worker Ephraim Neophanous
 

Sts. Nektarios of Aegina and Ephraim of Nea Makri, two great Wonderworkers and Healers of Christ in our days (source)

 

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

Truly, the Lord is risen!

"Who would not leap for joy?"

St. Nektarios the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Pentapolis (source)

  
Who would not leap for joy? Who would not dance in the Spirit at the new festival of the Hierarch Nektarios? For every soul rejoices, beholding him glorified and of equal station with the Saints, and being made known through wonders. Therefore, we bless the radiance of his life, and his assets of righteousness, as we cry out: Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and unto the ages.
-Idiomelon of the Litia for the feast of St. Nektarios the Wonderworker

(source)

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

St. Nektarios the Wonderworker on Seeking Happiness

St. Nektarios the Wonderworker (source)

  
“How mistaken are those people who seek happiness outside of themselves, in foreign lands and journeys, in riches and glory, in great possessions and pleasures, in diversions and vain things, which have a bitter end! In the same [way,] to construct the tower of happiness outside of ourselves as it is to build a house in a place that is consistently shaken by earthquakes. Happiness is found within ourselves, and blessed is the man who has understood this. Happiness is a pure heart, for such a heart becomes the throne of God. Thus says Christ of those who have pure hearts: “I will visit them, and will walk in them, and I will be a God to them, and they will be my people.” (II Cor. 6:16) What can be lacking to them? Nothing, nothing at all! For they have the greatest good in their hearts: God Himself!”
— St. Nektarios of Aegina, Path to Happiness, 1
(source)
  

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

"You received in your heart the divine nectar of grace..."

St. Nektarios the Wonderworker (source)

  
You received in your heart the divine nectar of grace, O Venerable Nektarios, bestowing the heavenly sweetness of Christ upon the Church in these latter days.
-from the Matins Canon of St. Nektarios
  
(source)
  

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.

(source)

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

(source)

   

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.

(source)
  

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.

(source)

   

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!

Eldress Makrina of Portaria: "Every person must cultivate his own world..."

Gerontissa (Eldress) Makrina of Portaria (+June 4th, 1995) (source)

  
Every person must cultivate his own world, to train it, to make it [soft as] cotton. Among us, "our words should pour forth with honey, the hand should reach towards your sister like cotton...", said St. Nektarios.
-Eldress Makrina of Portaria
  
(source)
  

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

A vision of Panagia, and the repose of Elder Nektarios Vitalis

The Most-holy Theotokos, who ever prays to the Lord for the salvation of the world (source)

  
Recently, Elder Nektarios Vitalis (who reposed today in the Lord, see below), in the chapel of St. Nektarios, Kamariza, Lavrio, saw a young woman praying fervently in front of the Icon of Christ.

Two hours passed, and the woman continued to pray. Elder Nektarios, even though he was tired, he was waiting for the woman dressed in black to finish her prayer in order to lock the church. He approached her and told her:

"My girl, I am tired and am waiting to close the church."

She girl responded: "I am praying before the Icon of my Son for Greece, because she will be found in a very difficult situation."
(source)
  

Elder Nektarios Vitalis (source)

  
Today, February 8th, 2018, Elder Nektarios Vitalis reposed in the Lord.

It should be noted that the blessed Elder Nektarios recently was facing serious health problems, but despite this, day and night he would give people his blessing and his guidance to the hundreds of the faithful who came to see him.

When in 1965 he suffered a stroke, his situation was dire, but St. Nektarios the Wonderworker granted him healing.

As soon as he became well, he moved to Lavro.

A short time later, he again saw St. Nektarios in his sleep, who asked him to build his "house" in Kamariza, Lavro [a famous pilgrimage of the saint, where many miracles have occurred], and who informed him that he would help him.

In 1980, the sacred Elder had an astonishing conversation with St. Nektaros, and during this, he was healed of an incurable illness...

A few days later, the general director of the Cancer Hospital "St. Savas" was astonishingly informed him that his cancer had disappeared. In Kamariza the bells rang joyously at the joyous news of the miracle.
(source)
  

Elder Nektarios Vitalis (source)

  
A short encomium written by Mr. Manolis Melinos, who wrote several books on St. Nektarios, his life and miracles, and especially came to know Elder Nektarios:
  
ELDER NEKTARIOS
The sweet, the simple, the father,
The brother, the fellow man,
The consoler, the humble one,
The child among children, the great one among the great, the elder among the elders, in other words, the child-elder, reposed today, February 8th, 2018 at the age of 88. Now he is an intercessor for us at the heavenly Altar, together with St. Nektarios, near the Great High Priest Christ, Whom he had and never abandoned!
You all and everyone knows my spiritual relationship with him for 33 years, and I am deeply thankful to God Who made me worthy to be near him and to write his biography...
Now, humanly, our large spiritual family is in mourning along with my biological family, and I unworthily entreat God to make him worthy to continue to pray on behalf of us. In the proper time, I will return to write more in detail, but I am compelled at least to write this.
Manolis Melinos,
orphaned of a "Father"
(source)
  

Portrait of Elder Nektarios Vitalis (source)

  

May his memory be eternal! May he have a blessed Paradise and may we have his blessing!

  

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

St. Nektarios healing a child with osteomyelitis

St. Nektarios the Wonderworker (source)

 
"In 1996, at the age of 7, my twin brother was hit with a rare illness and we went to the Children's Hospital "Agia Sophia" for a whole month. The doctors, after a few days, believed that my brother had osteomyelitis. They told me that it could even be worse than they thought! They told us that he must go to surgery.

In the evening, before the day of his surgery, my brother saw in his sleep St. Nektarios. He showed him a red geranium, and told him to pick it from the bones of the Saint [i.e. the flowers on top of the Holy Relics]. In the morning, he told the dream to our grandmother, who slept that night in the hospital with him, and he asked her if there was a Saint named Nektarios, and he tried to describe the flower (he didn't know the name, because he was only seven years old), saying it was the flower that we have in the house!

The surgery occurred and it was a success!

The next day, he saw in his sleep the grave of St. Nektarios on Aegina, and he told us that he was sitting underneath the pine tree which is above his tomb. I should tell you that we had never gone to Aegina before. We later went as a family to venerate the Grave of the Saint in thanksgiving, and we were struck to see red geraniums that St. Nektarios gave him on top of his tomb! From then on, the Saint is the protector of our family, and most likely always was, even though we didn't know it..."
(source)
 

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

"The Lord, wishing to make known upon the earth..."

St. Nektarios the Wonderworker, Bishop of Pentapolis (source)

  
"The Lord, wishing to make known upon the earth the glory that has been given to you in the heavens, O wise one, showed forth your divine relics to be a spring of healings and many wonders, O all-blessed one."
-from the Matins Canon to St. Nektarios
  
(source)
  

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

A Doxology by St. Nektarios

The Vision of the Three Angels, symbolizing the Holy, Consubstantial, Life-giving and Undivided Trinity (source)

 
A Doxology by St. Nektarios
"God, to me, is glory and wealth and boast. He is the sweetest and most pleasant thing. He is my care and my nourishment. Me soul is a creation of the breath of God. My body is the fashioning of God. By divine grace, I am one of God's generation. From God I received my being, and also the ability to move and breathe and to speak.

To God I daily entrust my spirit. To God I pray. I live with God, I serve and find myself with God.

I am so happy with the great, mighty and living God, Who is the provider of assistance and the worker of good things. He follows whatever I think, say and do. I receive God as the awesome judge of whatever I have done. I have God Who is calm and forgiving, forbearing and greatly merciful, savior and redeemer.

I know God Who is the beginning of all things, Who gives good things, Who is the fore-knower, overseer, all-wise, all-knowing, Who knows both the future and the present and the past. I hymn, I glorify, I bless and I supremely exalt the good, holy, righteous and true God.

I venerate and worship God Who loves mankind. I believe in God, I hope in God, I love God, Who is the spring of love. My soul and my mind exalt God and find rest. My heart desires God greatly.

I confess one Three-sun and Tri-hypostatic God. I proclaim one God: beginningless, everlasting, simple, surpassing-essence and undivided. This Unity and Trinity. These I confess, believe and proclaim.

The end, and to the Three-sun Godhead, be kingdom, praise and glory unto the ages of ages. Amen."
-St. Nektarios of Pentapolis, the Wonderworker
   
(amateur translation of text from source)
 

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

Akathist to St. Nektarios the Wonderworker

St. Nektarios Bishop of Pentapolis, the Wonderworker (+1920) (source)

  
Akathist to St. Nektarios of Pentapolis, the Wonderworker (+1920)

Kontakion 1 In joy of heart let us hymn with songs the newly revealed star of Orthodoxy, the newly erected bulwark of the Church; for, glorified by the activity of the Spirit, he pours forth the abundant grace of healings upon those who cry: Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
  
Ikos 1
In the world you were shown to be a man of heavenly mind, O Nektarios, heirarch of Christ; for having passed through life in holiness, you were shown to be blameless, venerable and God-pleasing in all things. Wherefore, you hear from us such praises as these:
Rejoice, you by whom the faithful are edified;
Rejoice, you of whom the enemy is afraid!
Rejoice, emulator of the venerable fathers;
Rejoice, divine teacher of the Orthodox!
Rejoice, you for whom the Church joins chorus;
Rejoice, you in whom Aegina rejoices! Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
  
Kontakion 2
Having adorned yourself with meekness of soul from your youth, O holy father, one fervent desire consumed your heart: to become a preacher of the Holy Gospel. From childhood you knew the Scriptures which are able to make man wise for salvation, teaching them to cry: Alleluia.
  
Ikos 2
When you left your home and traveled to Constantinople, you labored in the midst of worldly distractions. Yet you did not forsake the Faith which dwelt first in your grandmother and mother and also dwelt in thee, steadfastly dedicating yourself to prayer and to the sayings of the Fathers, which you wrote on packages and wrappings so that others might read them and receive spiritual profit. Wherefore, to one who was in the world but not of it, we the faithful cry aloud in thanksgiving:
Rejoice, most holy temple of the activity of God;
Rejoice, divinely inscribed book of new morals!
Rejoice, for you made yourself like unto the saints in perfection;
Rejoice, for you wisely spurned material things!
Rejoice, splendid victory of the Faith;
Rejoice, honored clarion of grace! Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
  
Kontakion 3
As a fervent lover of the monastic life, you often visited the Monastery of the Holy Fathers, conversing there about the spiritual struggle with its holy founder, Elder Pachomios. As you aspired to the angelic habit, you were tonsured and dedicated yourself to prayer on behalf of the people as you sang: Alleluia!
  
Ikos 3
Wholly consumed with the love of heavenly knowledge, you received a blessing to continue your theological education to which you devoted yourself with zeal and self-denial. While living in Athens, you studied day and night, knowing no other roads but that to the school and to the Church. Wherefore, as to our instructor in heavenly theology, we your children joyfully cry:
Rejoice, great pillar of piety;
Rejoice, city of refuge for the faithful!
Rejoice, firm stronghold of Orthodoxy;
Rejoice, venerable vessel and praise of the Holy Trinity!
Rejoice, you who shone forth in these latter times like a never-setting sun;
Rejoice, you who pour forth the nectar of grace upon all believers. Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
  
Kontakion 4
Arrayed in true holiness and pure morals, Patriarch Sophronios of Alexandria saw in you great potential for service to Christ’s Holy Church. You were ordained to the sacred priesthood and elevated to the office of Bishop. O wise one, you offered your life to Christ as a pure sacrifice, ever chanting: Alleluia!
  
Ikos 4
In your position as Metropolitan of Pentapolis, you were deeply loved by the faithful, for clothed in the vesture of the hierarchy, you adorned your life with humility. Ever disdainful of material possessions, you opened your hand freely and distributed your alms to the poor. Like your Master, you willingly came not to be served but to serve and to give your life as a ransom for many. Conquered by your love, we who honor your holy memory cry unto you thus:
Rejoice, model of lambs and shepherds;
Rejoice, pure and honorable abode of holiness!
Rejoice, worthy converser with angels;
Rejoice, good guide of men!
Rejoice, for through you we are delivered from bodily passions;
Rejoice, for through you we are filled with spiritual delights! Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
  
Kontakion 5
When the enemy of our souls saw you laboring in humility, he could not abide your holy presence among the people. Raising up slanders, inciting rumors, he sought to destroy your good name and to lead you to bitterness and anger. But you overcame all of his devices, for in all things you didst meekly chant unto God: Alleluia!
  
Ikos 5
Lacking even your daily bread, slandered on all sides, you prayed for your accusers, begging the Father to forgive them. Refusing to speak one word in your defense, you joyfully suffered according to the will of God, committing yourself to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. Wherefore, amazed by your long-suffering and steadfast endurance, we your children exclaim:
Rejoice, treasury of great mercy;
Rejoice, inexhaustible bread for the hungry!
Rejoice, container of great virtues;
Rejoice, model of spiritual meekness!
Rejoice, you who said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they have done;”
Rejoice, you who repaid evil with good! Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
  
Kontakion 6
Having within you a strong desire for the life of stillness on the Holy Mountain, you could not abandon the people but heeded their call to remain in the world and to proclaim the words of salvation. Freely you received and freely you gave, calling all men to exclaim: Alleluia!
  
Ikos 6
With the words of your mouth you dropped heavenly sweetness into the hearts of those who accepted your words with faith, directing the minds of the faithful to seek those things which are above. The sacred writings of your teachings continually gladden the souls of the pious; for moved by the Holy Spirit, O Father, you wisely recorded words of grace and instruction for those who cry to you:
Rejoice, faithful servant of the Most Holy Trinity;
Rejoice, habitation adorned of the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, light that illumines all the ends of the earth;
Rejoice, you who delivers people from the abyss of sin!
Rejoice, you who exalts truth;
Rejoice, you who dispells falsehood! Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
  
Kontakion 7
Invited to assume the direction of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School, you brought peace where there once existed confusion, for you treated all as a loving father. Wherefore your students in gratitude sang to God: Alleluia!
  
Ikos 7
Strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, having received the words of Life, you committed these to faithful men who, because of your good instruction and spiritual example, were enabled to teach them to others. Enduring hardships as a good soldier of Christ, you did not entangle yourself in the affairs of this life but thought only how to please the Master. Therefore, as to a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, we cry out to you in words such as these:
Rejoice, teacher of the divine commandments;
Rejoice, you who makes wise the unwise by your teachings!
Rejoice, new Paul, who has bequeathed to us the pattern of sound words;
Rejoice, new Jude, who has given us the exhortation to contend earnestly for the faith!
Rejoice, new Chrysostom, who has poured forth upon the Church the heavenly nectar of piety;
Rejoice, new Damascene, who has defended the faithful from impious doctrines! Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
  
Kontakion 8
Wisely adorned with understanding and meekness, you brought together venerable virgins in godliness, leading them to Christ by your words and the works of your blameless life, teaching them to sing: Alleluia!
  
Ikos 8
Listening to your prayers and earnest supplications, the Lord Who does the will of those who fear him, led you to the island of Aegina where you rebuilt the monastery which had been abandoned. Who can describe your labors and toils? Exercising vigilance in all things, you showed forth a model of divine virtue. Your spiritual daughters in thanksgiving cry to you thus:
Rejoice, pure and honorable abode of holiness;
Rejoice, all-luminous lamp, beloved by all!
Rejoice, worthy converser with angels;
Rejoice, good guide of men!
Rejoice, pious rule of faith;
Rejoice, holy purification of mortals! Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
  
Kontakion 9
Worldly-minded men cannot understand your patience, for despite the many cares of the monastery, you did not cease writing edifying books for Christians living in the world. Wherefore, amazed at the great wisdom which you were given, we cry to God: Alleluia!
  
Ikos 9
Having settled at the Monastery in Aegina, you became all spirit and led an altogether spiritual life. Venerable, meek, kindly, humble, extremely compassionate and charitable, you carried on the good fight in order to lay hold of that which for which Christ Jesus laid hold of you. In your pious ways you blamelessly followed Dionysios, the godly pastor of Aegina. Now as you partake of heavenly glory with him, receive from us these praises:
Rejoice, you who despised the world and its delusive pleasures;
Rejoice, you who received in exchange heavenly blessings!
Rejoice, you who completely subdued your flesh to your spirit;
Rejoice, you who subjected your spirit to your sweetest Lord Jesus!
Rejoice, lover of the holy Fathers;
Rejoice, instructor in the prayer of the heart! Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
  
Kontakion 10
Never neglecting mental prayer but always crying from the depths of your heart, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me,” all bore witness that you had become completely spiritualized. Noticing in you an exceptional sweetness which radiated from your serene countenance, the faithful joyfully exclaimed: Alleluia!
  
Ikos 10
Knowing that the Most Holy Virgin is a bulwark for all saints and a joy to monastics, you often offered your intercessions to her with tears and commited yourself to her motherly protection. Writing beautiful hymns, you gave to the faithful the gift of your love teaching them to sing, “
Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!” Therefore, we cry to you:
Rejoice, precious chosen one of Christ;
Rejoice, unblemished fragrance of God!
Rejoice, you who showed flaming love for the Lord;
Rejoice, you who always honored His Holy Mother!
Rejoice, boast of the Orthodox Church;
Rejoice, you who work many miracles through the power of God! Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
  
Kontakion 11
When the time came for you to depart to Christ to receive the Crown of righteousness laid up for thee in heaven, you endured severe pain and suffering with exemplary patience. Always thanking the Heavenly Father and blessing His all-holy name, you continually cried: Alleluia!
  
Ikos 11
The Lord, Who always glorifies those who glorify Him, did not allow your virtue to be hidden but desiring that those on earth know the glory He has given you in the heavens has revealed your relics as a well-spring of healings and miracles. For immediately after your repose, as your body was being prepared for burial, the Lord worked wonders through your sweater, raising up a man who had been paralyzed for many years. Therefore, together with him we also gratefully cry to you:
Rejoice, speedy helper of those in need;
Rejoice, constant stream of mercy by which we are cleansed!
Rejoice, physician of soul and body;
Rejoice, new pool of Siloam, healing the infirm!
Rejoice, sweet myrhh of compassion;
Rejoice, miracle worker of the faithful! Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
  
Kontakion 12
Multitudes of the faithful from all lands continually flee to your shrine, O holy one, and from your precious relics faithfully obtain divine grace and answers for their every petition. O Father, as you know how, fulfill you also the petitions of those who now cry: Alleluia!
  
Ikos 12
Singing praises we glorify you, O all-praised Nektarios; for in you God Who is glorified in the Trinity is wonderfully glorified. But even if we were to offer you a multitude of psalms and hymns composed from the soul, O holy wonderworker, we should do nothing to equal the gift of your miracles, and amazed by them we cry unto you:
Rejoice, you who conquered all the snares of the Evil One;
Rejoice, you who were sanctified both in soul and body!
Rejoice, speedy helper of those in need;
Rejoice, restoration of health to the sick!
Rejoice, healer of diseases by the Grace of God;
Rejoice, helper of those that suffer cruelly! Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
  
Kontakion 13 [3 times]
As a partaker in the life of heaven and a dweller with the angels, O Father Nektarios, in that you labored to please God, accept our present offering, and unceasingly intercede for your flock and for all the Orthodox who honor you, that we may be healed of all diseases of both body and soul, that together with you in the eternal Kingdom we may unceasingly cry: Alleluia!
  
Ikos 1 Repeated
In the world you were shown to be a man of heavenly mind, O Nektarios, heirarch of Christ; for having passed through life in holiness, you were shown to be blameless, venerable and God-pleasing in all things. Wherefore, you hear from us such praises as these:
Rejoice, you by whom the faithful are edified;
Rejoice, you of whom the enemy is afraid!
Rejoice, emulator of the venerable fathers;
Rejoice, divine teacher of the Orthodox!
Rejoice, you for whom the Church joins chorus;
Rejoice, you in whom Aegina rejoices! Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
  
Kontakion 1 Repeated
In joy of heart let us hymn with songs the newly revealed star of Orthodoxy, the newly erected bulwark of the Church; for, glorified by the activity of the Spirit, he pours forth the abundant grace of healings upon those who cry: Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
(source)
  

St. Nektarios the Wonderworker (source)

  

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