My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
On the 9th of November, Our Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates
Saint NEKTARIOS, Metropolitan of Pentapolis and builder of the
Holy Monastery, of the Holy Trinity.
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 helaings
of every kind for those who piously cry out: Glory to Christ Who hath
Him Who worketh bealings 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 the glorified,
and doth pour forth the abundant grace of wondrous cures upon them
that cry: Rejoice, O Father Nektarios.
The Holy Orthodox Church of Christ shall not cease showing forth Saints until the completion of the age. This is undeniable proof that she is the depository of truth and holy Traditions, which she observes and preserves free from adulteration, as a precious and sacred trust, and as "a fountain of water springing into eternal life [John 4:14]. This waters and bedews her pious children. The Holy Church, therefore, rejoices and speaks exultantly of those Saints who have shone forth in ancient times with their multitudinous achievements, virtues, and awesome wonders…We ought to be following their example and imitating their faith, "observing attentively," says the divine Paul, who tread the heavens, "the end of their conduct; for Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and today and to the ages. Thus, let us cease being carried about by various and strange teachings [cf. Hebrews 13:7-8].
Such a newly-appeared star in the firmament of the Church and a Saint among the Saints is the renowned Wonder-worker and illustrious hierarch, Saint Nektarios, Metropolitan of Pentapolis in Egypt. He is the special boast of godly Orthodox Christians, the sweetest nectar of the life of virtue, which gives joy and gladness, through its sanctifying grace, to reverent hearts, rendering them precious vessels of the Holy Spirit. Saint Nektarios is such a repository of grace, for he attained the heights of humility and the deep abysses of love. As he is a giant in virtue and one preeminent in working miracles, we ardently beg his protection and intercession before God.
The God-bearing hierarch, Saint Nektarios, was born in Selyvria of Thrace. He was born to the pious Demos and Maria Kephalas, on the 1st of October, 1846, being the fifth of six children. In holy Baptism he was named Anastasios. His father worked hard to provide for his family, laboring at times as a farmer and other times at sea. At that time Orthodoxy was enslaved by the Ottomans. The Saint’s mother and grandmother exercised caution around the Turks, but always maintained hope for a better future. He was prudent and wise, and proved an obedient son to his parents, who nurtured him in the instruction and admonition of the Lord [Ephesians 6:4], together with all things reverent according to Christ. From his childhood, he avoided hurtful and evil pastimes, games, and associations. His soul, like a sponge, soaked up the streams of his parent’s good guidance and instructions.
After putting himself through school in Constantinople with much hard labor, he became a monk on the island of Chios in 1876, receiving the Monastic name of Lazaros; because of his virtue, a year later he was ordained Deacon, receiving the new name of Nektarios. Under the patronage of Patriarch Sophronios of Alexandria. Nektarios went to Athens to study in 1882; completing his theological studies in 1885, he went to Alexandria, where Patriarch Sophronios ordained him Priest on March 23, 1886 in the Cathedral of Saint Savvas, and in August of the same year in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo, made him Archimandrite. Archimandrite Nektarios showed much zeal both for preaching the word of God, and for the beauty of God’s house. He greatly beautified the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo, and years later, when Nektarios was in Athens. Saint Nicholas appeared to him in a dream, embracing him and telling him he was going to exalt him very high.
On January 15, 1889, in the same Church of Saint Nicholas, Nektarios was consecrated Metropolitan of the Pentapolis in Eastern Libya, which was under the jurisdiction of Alexandria. Although Nektarios’ 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 Sophronios that Nektarios had it in his heart to become Patriarch. Since the people loved Nektarios, the Patriarch was troubled by the slanders. On May 3, 1890, Sophronios relieved Metropolitan Nektarios of his duties; in July of the sme 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 a spiritual guide to many. At the request of certain pious women, in 1904 he began the building of his Women’s Monastery of the Holy Trinity on the island of Aegina while yet 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 (Miracles) in life, an innumerable multitude of miracles have 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; but Saint Nektarios is especially renowned for his healings of cancer for sufferers in all parts of the world. [Source: The Great Horologion]
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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
-Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Ethos 