Living saints

[Robert Hegwood]

I am not sure if this is the right subforum but it seems to be the only one dealing with individual human beings in the Church specifically.

One of my regrets about not becoming Orthodox as a very young man when I first bumped into it was that during the time of my sojourn within the Charismatic movement several lights in the Church reposed that possibly I could have found the mercy to meet and get their blessing, blessed ones such as Fr. Seraphim Rose, Elder Sophrony, Elder Porphyrios, Elder Cleopas, Mother Gabriela, to name a few.

What I wonder is who now are those spiritual sons and daughters of these and others who now walk as they walked, who are grace filled men and women, living saints...healers, wonderworkers, clairvoyants, wise and holy?

I do not wonder so much for myself anymore, but for my godchildren who if possible I could point to such holy ones so that the Lord willing they may have the opportunity I did not recognize the first time I crossed paths with Orthodoxy over 30 years ago.

So is there anyone in our day whom the Lord is revealing as such lights within the Church?

[Andrew]

I am not sure if this is the right subforum but it seems to be the only one dealing with individual human beings in the Church specifically.

One of my regrets about not becoming Orthodox as a very young man when I first bumped into it was that during the time of my sojourn within the Charismatic movement several lights in the Church reposed that possibly I could have found the mercy to meet and get their blessing, blessed ones such as Fr. Seraphim Rose, Elder Sophrony, Elder Porphyrios, Elder Cleopas, Mother Gabriela, to name a few.

What I wonder is who now are those spiritual sons and daughters of these and others who now walk as they walked, who are grace filled men and women, living saints...healers, wonderworkers, clairvoyants, wise and holy?

I do not wonder so much for myself anymore, but for my godchildren who if possible I could point to such holy ones so that the Lord willing they may have the opportunity I did not recognize the first time I crossed paths with Orthodoxy over 30 years ago.

So is there anyone in our day whom the Lord is revealing as such lights within the Church?

Go to St. Anthony's in Arizona! You will most likely not be able to have a conversation with Geronda Ephraim, but you might get his blessing. I can't go into length, but this man is in the same "class" as those you have listed above. If you have some dire problem of a physical or spiritual nature, he has a way of making some room for you, whether it be a meeting or a letter. He is highly sought after, so most likely you would not be able to talk with him - but, you never know. It helps to be close to one of his spiritual children who are abbots/abbesses.

Elder Joseph (the last of his spiritual brothers of the synodia of Elder Joseph the Hesychast) is still living at Vatopedi.

I don't know many else off the top of my head... I stay mostly in this "circle" so to speak. There are living saints in Romania, Agion Oros, and elsewhere.

[Andreas Moran]

God will reveal those of whom we have need; He will not leave us orphans, according to His promise: 'I will not leave you comfortless' (John 14:18). Those who honour and pray to the great luminaries of Christ's Church who were so recently with us are their spiritual children. The saints are more truly alive now than they were in this world. I think of the great promise of Batushka Seraphim of Sarov: 'After death I shall be much more alive than I am now, so do not grieve when I die. When I am dead, come to my grave, and the oftener the better. Whatever is in your soul, whatever may have happened to you - come to me as when I was alive; and kneeling on the ground, cast all your bitterness upon my grave. Tell me everything, and I shall listen to you, and all the bitterness shall fly away from you. As you spoke to me when alive, do so now. For I am living, and shall be for ever'. I pray thus to him: 'Batushka Seraphim: you know that I cannot come to your grave; but I kneel now before your icon and light a candle, for I know you loved candles. Listen to me as you promised, for I believe your promise.' And I tell him my cares, and I know he listens. Likewise, I go to the tomb of Fr Sophrony; I kneel before him, kiss the cross on his tomb and pray to him, and I know he listens.

When Fr Sophrony reposed, a man arrive from Cyprus with his young son who had cancer in his brain. He believed the Elder could cure his son. He was devastated to find when he came to the monastery that the Elder had reposed. His hope was dashed. Gently, they took the man and the boy to the church where the Elder was lying in his coffin. They passed the boy under the Elder's coffin. When the doctors later examined the boy, there was no sign of any cancer.

Yesterday, my wife and her brother, who are touring Cornwall in England, went to the chapel of St Madron at Madron, and then to the Holy Well of St Credan at Sancreed. My wife's brother phoned me from Sancreed and told me of the great grace they felt there, even from these saints of the 6th and 8th centuries.

We have a great host of friends in heaven who care about us.

[Misha]

Indeed, elder Ephraim (now in Arizona) is a contemporary staretz and a real blessing to the American people.
Elder Parthenius ,the hegumen of st Paul monastery in Mt Athos, is a very experienced spiritual father who can guide people.
Also elder Gregory of Dochiariou monastery,spiritual son of elder Amfilohios , is some kind of fool for Christ.
Elder Stephanos in Kozani is a man of God who had close spiritual connection with elder Paisios.
Elder Raphael Noika ,a spiritual son of elder Sophrony,who lives now as a hermit in Romania is a very humble and sweet person.
There are several other priests,monks and nuns but also laymen who love God and keep His commandments and can help us to respect and love God.
What we need is to keep our inner eyes open.

[Nina]

Also elder Gregory of Dochiariou monastery,spiritual son of elder Amfilohios , is some kind of fool for Christ.


Really?! I met him when he was visiting US (I hope it is the same elder) and he was so nice and kept saying 'I have been pondering all the time how did people arrive to Americas after Noah's flood. I wonder how God did it.' And we all (group of friends) smiled. We tried to explain the theories that exist (which are really scientific hypotheses still), however he kept repeating the question. And we loved it. He also had a sense of humor while still keeping his face unchanged. We just loved being around him. Now that you say that he is some kind of fool for Christ, Misha, maybe we should have just kept silent and asked him if he knew the answer.

Misha you are right that Elder Ephraim is truly a blessing to America.

Thank you Misha and all for telling us about these holy people.

[Paul Cowan]

Elder Parthenius ,the hegumen of st Paul monastery in Mt Athos, is a very experienced spiritual father who can guide people.


I met him last November there. I agree he is a very special man.

[Andrew]

I met him last November there. I agree he is a very special man.

I don't know if I'm telling this story correctly; I probably have some of the details wrong... a friend of mine was chanting at St. Paul's, and Geronda Parthenios snuck up on him, bopped his little pony-tail (he was a novice at the time), and said something along the lines of, "Tell Geronda Ephraim to stop stealing monks from the Holy Mountain! We need more here!" :)

[Anthony Stokes]

So is there anyone in our day whom the Lord is revealing as such lights within the Church?


I agree with people on Elder Ephraim. I have been in his presence on a few occasions, and he is one of two people who's blessing I try to make sure to get any time I can.

The other, who may not necessarily have the same kind of gifts as Elder Ephraim, is Archbishop Dmitri of the OCA Diocese of the South. He is a very gifted writer, with many scriptural commentaries available. Even at the age of 84, he is still working on them. He different from any other bishop that I have met.

Also, two people who have come to our area recently, that I did not get to hear talk, but that have been highly recommended as holy men are Elder Zacharias, who I will leave Andreas to maybe tell us more about, and soon to be bishop Archimandrite Jonah, abbott of St. John's monastery in California. Archimandrite Jonah is still fairly young, and I think we will hear more about him over the coming years.

Subdeacon Anthony

[Nicolaj]

So is there anyone in our day whom the Lord is revealing as such lights within the Church?

I am sure the Lord sends us enough holy and wise men and women walking among us, just our sin isn't much a help recognizing them. Some are mentioned here, much more are there.

Sharing with us a word of wisdom, a word of peace, a word of hope. Bringing us love in our days.

Christos voskrese! Nicolaj

[Robert Hegwood]

Thanks so much for all the replies. I've heard many good things about Elder Ephraim though I know in some circles he is not so well thought of, even by those of otherwise exemplary service. It is an interesting phenomena which makes me wonder if perchance this is one of those situations where a living saint meets resistance and limited acceptance in his own time. I've heard also for Fr. Zacharias, and Archbishop Dimiti, who is my own Archpastor. And I've heard of Archimandrite Jonah, who like Archbishop Dimitri has a strong scholarly bent. Some of the other names I don't know. But I am interested to learn more about them and about any others who might be known to the posters here.

[Andrew]

Thanks so much for all the replies. I've heard many good things about Elder Ephraim though I know in some circles he is not so well thought of, even by those of otherwise exemplary service.

There different reasons for opposition to his work. He holds strictly to the Tradition he has received. The services are in Greek, all converts are baptized, the abbots have spiritual children in the world, Geronda Ephraim writes about the toll houses, asceticism, etc. Some people don't like the fact that he is given so much honor and respect, and that the monasteries are successful financially (ie, "Why aren't people giving this money to the parish instead?"). There are some complaints that the monasteries usurp the role of the parish.

Most of the criticisms directed at the monasteries and Geronda Ephraim are built on a very secular understanding of life in the Church and monasticism. There are many lies spoken about Geronda Ephraim in some circles. There is no reason to distrust him; he is a meek, gentle spiritual father to thousands throughout the world, a miracle worker, and a discerning elder full of love for all people, full of divine eros. His spiritual sons and daughters (the abbots and abbesses) reflect this.

[Alice]

There different reasons for opposition to his work. He holds strictly to the Tradition he has received. The services are in Greek, all converts are baptized, the abbots have spiritual children in the world, Geronda Ephraim writes about the toll houses, asceticism, etc. Some people don't like the fact that he is given so much honor and respect, and that the monasteries are successful financially (ie, "Why aren't people giving this money to the parish instead?"). There are some complaints that the monasteries usurp the role of the parish.

Most of the criticisms directed at the monasteries and Geronda Ephraim are built on a very secular understanding of life in the Church and monasticism. There are many lies spoken about Geronda Ephraim in some circles. There is no reason to distrust him; he is a meek, gentle spiritual father to thousands throughout the world, a miracle worker, and a discerning elder full of love for all people, full of divine eros. His spiritual sons and daughters (the abbots and abbesses) reflect this.

Yes, all this is very true...and my husband is fortunate to have a spiritual father who is an abbot/spiritual child of Geronda Ephraim...and this Abbott/Geronda is very holy as well.

I believe the reason that the monasteries are given money is that people know that it doesn't matter who they are (as in:station or position in the world) when they go to the monasteries of Geronta Ephraim..they will all be treated equally, their intentions will be lifted up in prayer, and they will not be allowed to flatter their egos by having their names listed or extolled when donating money. Also, a large percentage of the money comes from the humble and grateful dollars of many individuals who are not wealthy rather from one or two large wealthy benefactors.

In other words, Christianity is practiced at these monasteries exactly as it should be. I will share a story from one of the monasteries: A man offered a great sum of money for a needed building but wanted his name to be put as the benefactor of the building. The Abbott told him that his donation would be much appreciated, but that his name would not be mentioned anywhere. The man retracted his offer.

[Andreas Moran]

The Abbott told him that his donation would be much appreciated, but that his name would not be mentioned anywhere. The man retracted his offer.

The abbot might have told the man that much more importantly his name would be eternally inscribed in the Book of Life.

[Andrew]

A lot of people from diverse backgrounds are drawn to the monasteries... even non-Orthodox people in some cases are very close friends and benefactors of the monasteries (or at least the one I know best). They live the Christian life in a gentle, yet uncompromising way. The monasteries are spiritual oases, and people feel this in their hearts - they give because of these reasons. Also, money is never asked for. God provides.

[Alice]

The abbot might have told the man that much more importantly his name would be eternally inscribed in the Book of Life.

Dear Andreas,

Knowing that particular Abbott, I am sure that he did...however, the sad truth is that many Greeks want their names extolled in exchange for a donation, and outside of the monasteries, in the parishes of the Archdiocese, this has been common practice.

Many people care more about having glory in the eyes of their 'sympatrioti' (fellow countryman and/or peer) than accepting the humility of anonymity for the benefit of their souls...it is a difficult pill to swallow, as we are all egotists by nature, but it is one which is beneficial for the soul.

As our brother in Christ, Andrew said, no one is EVER asked for money at these blessed monasteries. They look to God to provide, and He does through the hearts of those humble and grateful souls who love the monasteries.

The same type of humble gratitude of individual hearts around the world has built the most beautiful and glorious church of St. Nektarios on Aegina here in Greece...

In Christ,
Alice

[Andreas Moran]

the most beautiful and glorious church of St. Nektarios on Aegina here in Greece...

I haven't been to Aegina since 1987, and they had just started to build that church then. I ought to go.

[Alice]

I haven't been to Aegina since 1987, and they had just started to build that church then. I ought to go.
http://picasaweb.google.com/BrianMartens1987/XUNYYK/photo#5157676927261491746

[Andreas Moran]

Thanks for that link, Alice - the church looks very impressive!

[Misha]

More impressive is the area around the new big church named Paleochora ,full of monasteries and chapels.
http://www.aegina.com.gr/monastiria-palioxoras/?lang=en
Also very close to the city of Aegina there is the small hesychasterion of a contemporary saint,elder Ieronymos the Cappadocian.
http://orthodoxwiki.org/Ieronymos_of_Aegina

[Alice]

More impressive is the area around the new big church named Paleochora ,full of monasteries and chapels.
http://www.aegina.com.gr/monastiria-palioxoras/?lang=en
Also very close to the city of Aegina there is the small hesychasterion of a contemporary saint,elder Ieronymos the Cappadocian.
http://orthodoxwiki.org/Ieronymos_of_Aegina

Misha,

Thanks for bringing that to my attention! I will try to go there one of these days...Ofcourse, most times we go to Aegina, we take the Flying Dolphin from Piraeus for the day with the specific intent of pilgrimage to the relics of St. Nektarios who has been our family's patron saint for many years.

In Christ,
Alice

[Robert Hegwood]

Interesting. My brother is a pilot for an airline that flies into Athens. Even though he is a Protestant he bought me an icon of St. Nectarios there recently...I'm waiting for it in the mail.

What type of person was St. Nectarios, how is he remembered among his own in Aegina and its environs?

[Julia Hayes]

Interesting. My brother is a pilot for an airline that flies into Athens. Even though he is a Protestant he bought me an icon of St. Nectarios there recently...I'm waiting for it in the mail.

What type of person was St. Nectarios, how is he remembered among his own in Aegina and its environs?

Hi Robert,
I think one of the best ways to find out what kind of person St Nektarios is, would be to read the book "The Saint of our Century" by Sotis Chondropoulos. Despite the typos that the book has, you really get the feel of who the saint is and how he dealt with all his trials and tribulations.
Saint Nektarios pray for us!

[Nina]

Robert, yes read the book Julia recommended. Saint Nektarios is a very beloved modern-day saint. He is intercessor for those ill and especially for those suffering from cancer. He was such a humble soul and his story moves so many people. It is so nice of your brother to sent you the icon of St. Nektarios. May Saint Nektarios interceed for both of you and your loved ones!

Alice, yes philotimia (not the positive one that Elder Paisios speaks about) is another form of vainglory. And you are right we all suffer in one way, or another from vainglory (which really is another form of pride). Whenever I encounter such stories I think about an episode from 'Curb your enthusiasm' where Larry David donates a large amount of money and has a wing of the bulding named after him. On the other hand a friend of his also donates, however the name on the wing is Anonymous. But all their circle of friends knew who the Anonymous was and Larry David sttrugles to prove that his way is more honest but unsucesfully. It is so funny episode.

[Andreas Moran]

I haven't been to Aegina since 1987

Wrong - it was 1982.

[Christophoros]

Archimandrite Roman Braga, spiritual father of the Dormition of the Mother of God Orthodox Monastery in Michigan, is an excellent example of a grace-filled elder in modern times.

[James Blackstock]

Two things! ONE:in Protestant/Charismatic circles a few years ago, there was a phenomenon referred to as Holy Laughter. Mostly, is was a sham, presided over by many charlatans and it brought sadness to my soul

[James Blackstock]

TWO: I had the blessing of meeting with Elder Ephraim in Arizona 10 months ago. I took one step into the room where he was waiting, and I started to "laugh"! Not like somebody just told me a joke laugh, but like filled up with the Joy of The Lord laugh. It was a wonderful meeting and He was smiling and laughing too! I received his blessing and will never forget this meeting. I still have this Joy.

[Laura]

Here is a link to some information about a living saint.
http://noctoc-noctoc.blogspot.com/

[Robert Hegwood]

Which topic heading should one look under....who/what do I look for? Is it in English?

[Laura]

Just click on the link. At the moment the author is writing and posting pictures about Hamatoura Monastery in Lebanon. The site is in both Greek and English, so keep scrolling until you come to the English part.

[Christophoros]

Besides Elder Panteleimon of Hamatoura, Lebanon also has Elder Ephraim Kyriakos:

http://www.antiochian.org/fellowship/canam/frephraim

[Vasiliki D.]

What type of person was St. Nectarios, how is he remembered among his own in Aegina and its environs?

Apart from the book which truly is a diamond!! Saint Nektarios was SO much loved that he has seeped into the heart and soul of the Greek people world-wide. Most Greek Orthodox churches here in Melbourne have an icon of the Saint on the far left at the front of the church - to honour him as the Saint of the Century.

It is not always the traditional ascetic that is inspiring sometimes it is the humble and neglected priest/teacher that God glorifies as real examples people in the world can follow ...

Saint Nektarios IS loved because he has never forgotten us - his people. He bestows a miracle on nearly every pilgrim who makes the journey to Aegina ... and if for a reason you are unable to visit him .. he will find the way to visit you. This was the case for my mother - I will share our families miracle (one of few). My mother and I went to Aegina years ago to venerate the saint ...and on the day we were to go to the monastery my mother was rushed to Athens via water ambulance for a life threateing situation.

She was SO devastated that within minutes of waiting for the bus to go to the monastery this happened and was sad and crying at the hospital. Within a day at being in the hospital in Athens, a person came to visit her (not knowing she was rushed from Aegina). This was so random but as a present he brought her a book (in Greek) - of all books it was a book about Saint Nektarios.

My mother has since felt that this was the Saint visiting her ... I do too. His humility is amazing that he would visit my mother in Athens because she was unable to visit him. It brings tears to my eyes even as I write it ... I do not know many priests alive today who do that for their own parish! it is sad - Glory to God that he has blessed us with such beautiful Saints!

[Kusanagi]

If you have the chance to go to Romania, you can visit:

Fr Arsenie Papacioc in Dobrogea
Fr Iustin Parvu in Petru Voda
Fr Ireneu in Translyvania, not sure which convent he is in at the moment.

Fr Vasillios at the Birth of the Mother of God monastery in Agia Napa.

[Father David Moser]

One of my regrets about not becoming Orthodox as a very young man when I first bumped into it was that during the time of my sojourn within the Charismatic movement several lights in the Church reposed that possibly I could have found the mercy to meet and get their blessing, blessed ones such as Fr. Seraphim Rose, Elder Sophrony, Elder Porphyrios, Elder Cleopas, Mother Gabriela, to name a few.

What I wonder is who now are those spiritual sons and daughters of these and others who now walk as they walked, who are grace filled men and women, living saints...healers, wonderworkers, clairvoyants, wise and holy?

One of the reasons that you don't necessarily see these people is that they are still living. Many saints during their lives were not universally recognized. Even St John of San Francisco had his detractors and even at the time of his glorification, one of the bishops of the ROCOR Synod (a pious and prayerful man in his own right) held the opinion that St John was not a saint and should not be glorified (this hierarch is now reposed). Each of us, while we live in this world, is "a work in progress" and it is not possible to see the full picture until it is finished. After the life's work is over then we will see the true fruits of that person's life come out, what will be remembered and what will be forgotten. Also, no matter how "holy" person appears during their life, there is no way of knowing how they will die. Will they, at the last moment, like the one of the 40 martyrs of Sebaste who turned away from Christ in the midst of his martyrdom, also fall into great sin? Will there be a final brushstroke on the painting that ruins all that has gone before? Certainly we do not expect such a thing nor do we often see it, but until the work of a person's life is finished we cannot know the complete picture.

I think that it is useless to be chasing after "living saints". Should God bring into your life such a person, then that is well and good and we glorify God for what He has provided. OTOH, do not go looking for what God does not provide because I guarantee that the evil one, not being stupid, but being exceedingly crafty and subtle, will either give you an "imitation" or in meeting the "real thing" will make it an occasion for a great and powerful temptation.

You mention the spiritual sons and daughters of these well known "blessed ones". They are there but all to frequently they are not their spiritual father/mother. I know many many spiritual children of Fr Seraphim (Rose) of Platina. Of those that I know there are only one or two who have remained faithful in the spiritual life passed on to them. Many others have been trapped by their own passions and weaknesses and no longer carry on the spiritual inheritance given to them (or if they do, they carry on some of the flaws of their spiritual father rather than his strengths). For the most part, those who do follow faithfully in the footsteps of their spiritual father are relatively unknown.

I do not believe that there can be a "living saint" There may be those in whom we recognize the light of Christ shining brightly and from whom we experience the fragrance of the grace of the Holy Spirit. But are they "living saints" - no, because the "work of their life" is not yet finished.

Fr David Moser

[Matthew Panchisin]

Dear Father,


I do not believe that there can be a "living saint" There may be those in whom we recognize the light of Christ shining brightly and from whom we experience the fragrance of the grace of the Holy Spirit. But are they "living saints" - no, because the "work of their life" is not yet finished.

I'm not so sure it works that way exactly Father, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

I think if we where forgiving as we are commanded to be, God is, there would be many more Saints? It is written, be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.

We can recall Saint Paul speaks of the living Saints back then often, in Jerusalem, in Rome etc. "Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the saints with them." So does Saint Peter and others I think.

It is possible that our vision of the living Saints is blurred, perhaps by our lack of forgiveness and other such things that is not yet finished, work in progress. The Saints seemed to see others as Saints as Saint Paul mentions, he used to persecute them.

You had mentioned the pious bishop "held the opinion that St John was not a saint and should not be glorified" Do we know if the pious Bishop that is reposed and held the non-glorification opinion regarding Saint John being canonized a Saint is a Saint also? I think that if he is he would give glory to God as well, sounds good here. The glory of God through forgiveness, Saint John forgiving the Bishop that was against his glorification or other things that can happen while living and the pious Bishop giving glory to God in the highest as well. If the pious bishop lived while the Church Sainted Saint John surely it seems to me both had been glorified in the Church. The pious Bishop's obedience to the Churches glorification of Saint John. The official glorification services of the Church for those such as Saint John must be to help us, that make sense to me.

I strongly think that there are many many Saints that are known to God, Saint Paul seemed to see many around him. Of course we are not like many of those early Christians, one needs only to read some of the Apostolic Fathers to come to the conclusion that their piety was very high. However from reading them we can see the simple spirit of forgiveness and the virtues transcend chasing after "living saints". To the Glory of God they ended up among them!

It works the same these days to some degree even with the wrenched when one thinks about it. That is because God is good and loves mankind. I recall vesting Bishop Peter with some of Saint John's vestments. I didn't know it until someone mentioned it to me. The vestments had been so old that some of the golden threads would just come off. I picked them up and thought "I'm picking up some threads from the vestments of a Saint." So one thinks this is quite a blessing, the Bishop blessed me to take the threads home.


In Christ,

Matthew Panchisin