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.
NOTEWORTHY OCCURRENCES IN THE SACRED LIFE
OF SAINT NEKTARIOS, METROPOLITAN OF PENTAPOLIS
[Part II]
Oikos.
A man, with his mind in heaven, were you, in the world
still living, O Nektarios, Hierarch of Christ. You led a devout
and holy life, and in everything you were truly impeccable,
righteous and inspired by God. And henceforth you hear
us saying:
Rejoice, through whom the faithful are exalted; rejoice,
through whom the foes are astounded.
Rejoice, for of the Holy Fathers you were emulous;
rejoice, for you are the teacher of the Orthodox.
Rejoice, most holy house of the energy of God; rejoice,
God-written book of the new way of life.
Rejoice, modern-day peer of the Saints and Fathers;
rejoice, for you wisely kept your distance from matter.
Rejoice, the radiant trophy of the Faith; rejoice, the
dignified instrument of grace.
Rejoice, through whom is the Church celebrating;
rejoice through whom the isle of Aegina is rejoicing.
REJOICE, FATHER NEKTARIOS.
On November 9, we commemorate our Father among the
Saints Nektarios, Metropolitan of Pentapolis in Egypt, the
Wonder-worker and founder of the holy Monastery of Holy
Trinity on Aegina, who reposed in holiness in the year
1920.
You drank the nectar
of life eternal,
and poor out a river of
cures, O Nektarios.
On the ninth, the soul
of Nektarios left his
body.
[Orthros [Matins] of the Feast]
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When Saint Nektarios reached the age of 14, it was agreed that he would be taken on as an employee by a relative who had a shop in Constantinople. Since Anastasios’ family was poor, he needed to have work in order to continue his education, so he accepted the position. Before his departure, his grandmother had given him a Cross to wear about his neck containing THE HOLY RELICS OF THE PRECIOUS AND LIFE-GIVING CROSS OF JESUS. The Saint left for the ship, but did not have the fare to pay for the ticket. The captain observed the lad, and asked, "Where art thou bound, brave boy?" Anastasios replied, "To Constantinople, sir." The captain remarked, teasing, "Well, freeloaders are not welcome in the capital!" Anastasios answered nothing, but only shrank back in shame, since he was penniless. The captain then gave the orders to put out to sea. The ship’s engines, however, would not start; instead, they were emitting a strange sound. The crew was trying to ascertain the problem, while the captain was ready to break the wheel from his exasperation. Then, his eye caught the weeping Anastasios on the dock. The lad cried out, "Take me, captain, sir." The captain then motioned to him to get on board. The moment Anastasios’ feet touched the deck, the engines started and the ship began to move. Later, before his arrival, when it came time for the passengers to show their tickets, Anastasios panicked. One of the passengers took pity on him and paid for his fare. The generous and wealthy young man who took pity on the young Anastasios ws the nephew of the great Horemis, a millionaire from the island of Chios.
CONSTANTINOPLE
The man he was to see for his employment had left for Edessa, leaving Anastasios unemployed and homeless. He finally secured backbreaking work with a tobacco processing plant, where he would prepare the tobacco bales and stack them into boxes and cases. He then conveyed them to a pushcart and made deliveries throughout the city. His pay consisted mostly of his room and board. He worked late hours, and it was not unusual for his employer to raise his hand and strike the boy. Though he was far from home, Anastasios’ avid zeal for learning and a heart filled with godly fear remained ever with him. He was never careless about his studies and learning Greek letters, but applied himself diligently to whatever he put his hand or mind to doing. Even though he was without parental supervision, he shunned everything detrimental or mischievous, and anything that might seduce or gravitate him toward sinning.
In the midst of the capital’s clamor and crowd, and at such a young age, he nonetheless neglected not his prayers and meditation upon the writings of the Church Fathers. It was also the young Anastasios’ great passion to attend Church services regularly and carefully follow them. As a result, divine love increased and took wing in his heart, so that he wished to dedicate himself perfectly to pleasing the Lord. A burning desire was growing in him to embrace the Monastic life, which he deemed the speedier path to perfection and union with God Who is the highest desire for those seeking perfection.
In the meantime, the young Anastasios’ garments and shoes were becoming worn and falling apart. When he asked his employer for assistance, he was told to write to his parents. "But they are very poor, sir." Anastasios said. The employer had no time to listen to the youth’s dilemma and dismissed him in an offhand manner. Anastasios returned to his corner to sleep. He then thought he beheld the Lord Jesus Who was asking him why he was weeping. Anastasios attempted to speak to our Savior but was unable. When he arose, he decided to write to Jesus Christ. He took up his pencil and wrote:”
"My dearest Jesus: The reason that I am weeping continually is that my clothes and shoes are inadequate for winter. My employer turned me away. I cannot ask my poor family, to whom I have not been able to send even one coin. How shall I manage the deliveries in the bitter cold? I have mended my clothes many times, but they keep tearing. Forgive me for burdening Thee with this problem, but it is Thee Whom I worship and in Whom I have my hope. Thy faithful slave, Anastasios."
He addressed an envelope, writing: "To our Lord Jesus Christ in the Heavens." He then left early to post it. On the way, he was seen by the shop owner, Themistocles, whose store was opposite the tobacco establishment. "Where are you going so early, my Anastasios?" Themistocles asked, "To the post office, sir," Anastasios told him. "No need, said the man; "I shall post it for you." I see you are shivering in this cold, so return to the shop." Anastasios thanked him. In the meantime, the shop owner went on his way. He happened to look at Anastasios’ envelope, and the name of the Addressee caught his immediate attention. Startled, he said, "O my! How can this be posted?" In what desperate straits does that good lad find himself?" He then took upon himself to pause and open the envelope. He was so touched at the lad’s words that he went and prepared a parcel with warm clothing, shoes, underwear, and some spending money. He then posted it, addressing it to Anastasios Kephalas at the tobacco shop. A note was placed inside, upon which was written the following message: "Christ to Anastasios," the parcel was delivered, to the boundless joy and gratitude of the child. His employer, however, suspected him of theft. He began beating him and calling him a thief. Anastasios kept trying to explain, buthis boss kept striking him. The shopkeeper, who had received Anastasios’ letter, happened to be passing by. He heard the commotion and came rushing to the boy’s aid. The employer then desisted, fearing to create a fuss, which would certainly attract the attention of the Turkish authorities. Soon afterward, Anastasios was offered work at another shop, that of Themistocles, which he accepted. He stayed at his new establishment for a considerable time, finding decent conditions and time to study.
At length, when Anastasios Kephalas reached 24 years of age, he received a letter of recommendation from the Director of the school. He also accepted an appointment, from Metropolitan Gregory, as a teacher in the village of Lythion on the island of Chios. His family had already moved to the island, so he prepared for his trip and new post.
During the voyage, his ship encountered a storm at sea. the Monk Abimelech, one of the Saint’s biographers, describes the plight of the ship. The vessel was ready to sink when the captain shouted for the life-saving equipment to be readied. The young Anastasios wept and prayed to God. Looking heavenward, he implored God NOT to take his life, for he wished to preach on His behalf. He remembered that his grandmother told him that if the sea were ever rough, to dip the Precious relic of the Cross into the sea waves. He then removed his Cross and tied it to his belt. He then lowered it off the side of the ship and into the waves. After he hadn uttered three times those words which our Lord pronounced in the Gospel "Be still! Be silent!" [Mark 4:39], the wind abated, and there was a great calm. All on board were joyous and relieved. Only the young Anastasios was grieving for the loss of his grandmother’s gift Cross, which had fallen into the deep. However, a rapping sound below the ship’s waterline was heard and the captain and crew were concerned. The captain gave the command to take a small craft and examine the ship’s hull. The crew then discovered Anastasios’ Cross adhering to the ship’s frame where the knocking occurred. One of the sailors laid hold of the Cross and reported the finding to the captain, who began, shouting and waving at the departing Anastasios, "Kephalas, Kephalas! Come back!" With his heart overflowing with jubilation and gratitude, Anastasios received his Cross. This was the same Cross which he wore with his Monastic garb, even when he was made bishop.
At Chios, he remained in that teaching position for seven years. He not only was teaching his pupils, but also influenced and persuaded the villagers to pursue piety and virtue, which he was able to show them by his own example. He emphasized the importance of schooling and studying the Holy Scripture, and he urged the people not to be captivated by the beliefs of the heterodox. Anastasios was very much inspired by Saint Kosmas Aitolos (of Atolia), to whom he would often pray. He was an ardent zealot and supporter of Monastic life, he often visited the holy Monastery of the Holy Fathers. Eventually, Anastasios entered the Monastery of Nea Moni. On the 7th of November, 1876, he was TONSURED A MONK.
The lamp had been placed on the lampstand, even as it is written in the Gospel, that it might give light to all those in the house [Matthew 5:15]. Thus did the light of Metropolitan Nektarios abundantly shine before men, not only in Cairo, but also throughout Egypt. The pious Orthodox Christians esteemed him for his superior virtues. The Saint’s popularity and genuine admiration among the people, however, roused the envy of certain persons in the Alexandrian Patriarchate. Many of his peers, not wishing to acknowledge his genuine virtue, slandered him to the Patriarch, saying that his popularity among the people was reaching such a pitch that Sophronios could easily be dethroned. Although the holy Nektarios discharged his duties in a godly manner and sincerely showed his benefactor, the Metropolitan’s enemies swayed the Patriarch into thinking that his throne was in danger. Metropolitan Nektarios, thus, on the 11th of July 1890 was removed from the Church of Egypt and told to go elsewhere.
The holy man accepted this injustice and bitter trial with much thanksgiving toward the Lord, because he was accounted worthy to suffer calumny, unjust persecutions and dismissal, without being responsible for the tiniest provocation. The majority of his persecutors, who drove him out, were the hierarchs of the Church–many of whom aspired to power and glory. [Resources: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church]
(To be continued)
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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 