THE HOLY LIFE OF SAINT NEKTARIOS THE WONDERWORKER, METROPOLITAN OF PENTAPOLIS

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

THE HOLY LIFE OF SAINT NEKTARIOS THE WONDERWORKER,
METROPOLITAN OF PENTAPOLIS

Although Saint Nektarius’ swift ascent through the degrees of Ecclesiastical Office did not affect his modesty and childlike innocence, it aroused the envy of lesser men, who convinced the elderly Patriarch Sophronius that Nektarios had it in his heart to become Patriarch. Since the people loved Saint Nektarios, the Patriarch was troubled by the slanders. On May 3, 1890, Patriarch Sophronius relieved Metropolitan Nektarios of his duties; in July of the same year, he commanded Nektarios to leave Egypt.

Without seeking to avenge or even to defend himself, the innocent Metropolitan left for Athens, where he found that accusations of immorality had arrived before him. Because his good name had been soiled, he was unable to find a position worthy of a bishop, and in February of 1891 accepted the position of provincial preacher in Evoia; then, in 1894, he was appointed Dean of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School in Athens. Through his eloquent sermons, his unwearying labors to educate fitting men for the Priesthood, his generous almsdeeds despite his own poverty, and the holiness, meekness, and fatherly love that were manifest in him, he became a shining light and spiritual guide to many. At the request of certain pious women, in 1904 he began the building of a Women’s Monastery dedicated to the glory of the Holy Trinity on the island of Aegina while Dean of the Rizarios School; finding later that his presence there was needed, he took up his residence on Aegina in 1908, where he spent the last years of his life, devoting himself to the direction of his monastery and to very intense prayer; he was sometimes seen lifted above the ground while rapt in prayer. He became the protector of all Aegina, through his prayers delivering the island from drought, healing the sick, and casting out demons. Here also he endured wicked slanders with singular patience, forgiving his false accusers and not seeking to avenge himself. Although he had already worked wonders in life, an innumerable multitude of miracles has been wrought after his repose in 1920 through his holy relics, which for many years remained incorrupt. There is hardly a malady that has not been cured through his prayers; Saint Nektarios is especially renowned for his healing of cancer for sufferers in all parts of the world. (Source: The Great Horologion)

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn of Saint Nektarios. First Tone

THE offspring of Selyvria and the guardian of Aegina, the true friend
of virtue who didst appear in the last years, O Nektarios, we faithful
honor thee as a godly servant of Christ, for thou pourest forth healings
of every kind for those who piously cry out: Glory to Christ Who hath
glorified thee. Glory to Him Who hath made thee wondrous. Glory to
Him Who worketh healings for all through thee.

Kontakion Hymn of Saint Nektarios. Plagal of Fourth Tone

COME, let us all laud Orthodoxy’s newly-shining star and the divine
and newly-builded bulwark of the Church; and in joyfulness of heart,
let us sing his praises. By the working of the Spirit was he glorified,
and doth pour forth the abundant grace of wondrous cures upon them
that cry: Rejoice, O Father Nektarios.