My beloved brothers and sisters in Our Risen Lord, God, and Savior JESUS CHRIST.
CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN! ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ! ΑΛΗΘΩΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ!
Saint Efthymios of the Holy Mountain, our holy Father, was born A.D. 960 in the Iberian (Georgian) city of Tao. He was the son of devout, notable, and affluent parents. At one point, Efthymios’ father, a valiant soldier, moved to Contantinople. Within a short while, his father renounced the temporal and perishing splendor an glory of the world. The father resolved to follow Christ in that poverty that yields heavenly wealth. Upon taking the Angelic Schema of the monastics, he was renamed John. The former soldier, robust and handsome, now amazed all by his spiritual struggles and charitable soul. His son, Efthymios, who was still quite young, abided with his grandfather, a man who was conspicuous for his good repure and virtue. He raised and nourished the lad in the instruction and admonition of the Lord.
With the passage of a little time, the grandfather, taking Efthymios, went to Constantinople and sought his son John. Finding him, he urged him, with many laments and tears, to return to their homeland. Not only did John refuse to return to his homeland but by the grace of God he was able to keep his son with him. After he clothed him in the monastic Schema, they went to Mount Olympos of Bithynia. At length, Father John sent the lad to Constantinople where instructors might teach him suitable lessons.
The goodly Efthymios, having a sharp mind, genuine zeal, and diligence, learned, in but a short time, after his schooling and knowledge of things divine. He appeared as a river of teachings of the Holy Spirit, Efthymios received a full education in the Georgian language and in literature and later he studied Greek. After his schooling he returned to Mount Olympos where he succumbed to a grave illness. His father implored the Theotokos for his son’s deliverance. Father John besought the priest to bring the Mysteries to his son’s cell. As they entered the chamber, they perceived an ineffable fragrance. Efthymios, meanwhile, restored to health, was sitting upon his bed. When asked how he recovered, the young man answered that the Queen (the Theotokos) stood before him. She had asked him, in the Georgian language, "What ails thee?" He said that he told her that "I am dying." He then described how she approached him and, taking him by the hand, uttered, "Fear not, no longer shalt thou suffer illness." Afterward, she vanished and, "as you can see, " he said, "I am completely well." Learning of his restoration, Father John prostrated himself and offered up thanks before the holy icon of the Queen of all, the Virgin and Mother of God, whose lot on the day of Pentecost was their Iberian homeland.
From the sublime visitation, with the help of the most Holy Theotokos, Efthymios was not only delivered from his illness but also endowed with proficiency in the Georgian language and surfeit of every virtue. His father suggested to him to translate the Greek sacred texts into Georgian. Obedient to his father’s will in everything, undertook the task. Efthymios also purged the errors that crept into the service books.
With what words can we narrate worthily the nobleness and goodness that he rediated upon all who associated with him? Moreover, how can we adequately characterize his incomparable humility when, for fourteen years, he served not only the great Athanasios but also his ailing father? The holy Efthymios, with unfeigned humility while celebrating the Divine Liturgy, the moment came when the celebrant says aloud, "Singing the triumphal hymn, shouting, crying, and saying…" When the chanters responded, singing, "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord of Sabaoth…" Suddenly immeasurable light enveloped all and the earth quaked. Everyone fell prone to the floor, save the blessed Efthymios. He appeared as a pillar of fire standing motionless before the holy altar. This miraculous phenomenon spread the good fame of the Saint everywhere.
In A.D. 998 Father John advanced in years he fell sick when his legs began to swell. Bedridden, he suffered greatly, though he thanked God for everything. Since he was disabled, he turned over the supervision to Saint Efthymios. After having communicated the Holy Mysteries, delivered his soul into the hands of his Lord on the 14th of June. His august relics were interred in the monastery where many received healing, including those troubled by unclean spirits, when they were anointed with oil from the oil lamp over his tomb.
The Elder Efthymios served as Egoumenos (Abbot) for about twenty years. He would remain in his cell on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. He would not partake of bread and water until sunset. Unless he had some need, he never partook of wine: The Saint was solicitous for those entrusted to his care. He was strict about the correct and pious carrying out of obedience. Twice monthly, the Saint gave sermons at the coenobium when he would encourage his spiritual children to struggle lest they pass their lives unprofitably.
In the latter years of the Saint’s life, scandals and offenses abounded on the earth. Troubles also overtook the Holy Mountain, especially at the Great Lavra of Saint Athanasius where Saint Efthymios exercised supervision. As a result, all the fathers besought the Saint to travel to Constantinople. They hoped, by imperial decree, that the scandals could be dispersed and that complete peace would be brought back to Athos. The holy man, listen to the words of the fathers, journeyed to the Capital. Upon arriving, Emperor Constantine VIII (1025-1028 A.D.) convened the Senate and assembled the nobles. They rendered extreme reverence to the Athonite elder, whom they not only received with great kindness but also fulfilled his requests quickly.
Then one day, while on an errand with another monk, the holy man rode a mule through Constantinople. On the road, they encountered a beggar who was sitting and begging for alms. The Saint had compassion on him and was moved to help him. As the elder prepared to offer him alms, the mule, as it caught sight of the beggar, became frightened and went wild. It ran kicking its legs, as it carried off the Saint violently. It only came to a stop when it threw the Saint to the ground, thereby shattering his bones. Christians that witnessed his multiple injuries hastened to assist him. Within a few days, Saint Efthymios, after receiving the holy Mysteries, delivered his holy soul peacefully into the hands of God. It was the 13th of May, in the year 1028. Saint Efthymios was in his sixties when he reposed. His precious relics, to the Glory of God, proved to be a source of cures and miracles.
Therefore, we, too, entreat his holy intercession, to the glory of Father, Son and Holy Spirit–ONE DIVINITY AND KINGDOM–to Whom is the glory, honor and worship, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. [Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church]
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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in Our Lord, God and Savior JESUS CHRIST,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Ethos 