Biblical stories in art. Lesson “Biblical images and subjects in European art

In the unstoppable flow of times, the saints - these shining stars of the Church - have always illuminated and warmed the souls of Orthodox Christians. Our Church was rich in saints not only in the first, blood-stained centuries of its ascent, they also appeared in the later stages of the development of Christianity. The saints live among us and with their truly Christian lives ascend along the same path that the Lord first walked; along the path that He sanctified with His voluntary sacrifice; along a path that has been followed by a great many people since then. Their host, by the grace of God, never ceases to be replenished.
They continue the difficult path that elevates a person, giving up their soul - the most valuable thing they have - in the name of union with the Creator.

Such a person, who concentrated all his spiritual powers in himself and devoted himself to the cause of internal perfection and union with God, was the person of our holy father Nektarios, the wonderworker, Metropolitan of Pentapolis, who labored in Aegina.

Saint Nektarios is the saint whom the Lord has glorified in our time. He revealed himself as a new bright star in the horizon of Orthodoxy.
His life, from his first steps to his blessed death, left a noticeable mark on the Christian souls of the Middle East and Greece. He became an unquenchable beacon on Aegina, exuding his grace and blessing to the whole world. This man's life was a constant struggle to achieve true knowledge and virtue. It was a difficult path, but he passed it victoriously. The life of Saint Nektarios is the fulfillment of an unshakable desire to find what his soul so strived for with all his might, to find the True God.

He became a winner in spiritual warfare, and therefore, after a fairly short time from the moment of his death, his fame spread everywhere. Saint Nektarios is a major hierarch in the galaxy of fathers of our Church, one of its highest peaks, a pillar of holiness.

He was born on October 1, 1846 in the village of Silivria, in Eastern Thrace, and baptized on January 15, 1847 with the name Anastasius. His parents, Dimos and Vasiliki Kefalas, were simple, poor people, but Christian-hearted, pious, and virtuous. They had many virtues, and the blessed spiritual fruit of all this became Anastasius Kephalas, later the saint and wonderworker Nectarius the myrrh-streaming. Pious parents raised Anastasia, the fifth of six children, “in the traditions and spirit of the commandments of the Lord.”

His mother taught him chants, prayers and often forced him to read and sing various troparia. She especially tried to get the boy to remember the 50th Psalm of David, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy.” This touching psalm, moving every Christian soul, made a special impression on the blessed child. The boy read it often and, as he himself later told the sisters of his monastery and other disciples, when he came to the words: I will teach the wicked in Your way, and wickedness will turn to You, he stopped and repeated this verse many times, which the future saint seemed to predict his missionary service.

From a young age, the boy felt the call of God and his priestly calling. He loved the church very much, joyfully attended all services and stayed in the church for as long as possible - serving the priests. He especially listened to the sermons. Returning home from church, the boy repeated entire passages from the sermon by heart and thereby amazed everyone at home. While still quite a baby, he made “robes” out of paper and performed all kinds of “services” with his peers. When Anastasius was seven years old, he got hold of white sheets of paper somewhere and began carefully sewing them together with thread. When his mother asked what he was doing, Anastasy replied: “I want to make a book and write down the Words of God there.” In Silivria the boy received his primary education. He especially liked to read books with religious content. But he could not continue his studies, because there was neither a secondary school in his native village, nor money to go somewhere to study. The obstacles were great, but even greater were his faith and desire. He was completely in the grip of the dream of receiving a Christian education in order to teach others to do the will of God. So Anastasy makes the difficult decision to leave for a foreign land. With the blessing of his parents, he goes to Constantinople. There is a legend that fourteen-year-old Anastasius reached the port to find a ship on which he could set sail. He approached a ship and began to beg the captain to take him with him. And he, looking at the teenager, just grinned: “Go for a walk, baby. And then come, we’ll take you.” Anastasy understood the irony as the captain’s refusal and watched with tears as the ship was prepared for departure.

Now the captain is giving commands to the drivers, the engines are running, but the ship is not moving. An order was received to gain momentum, but the ship stood as if tied. In bewilderment, the captain met the sad eyes of Anastasy, who was standing on the pier, and, taking pity on the teenager, made a sign for him to board the ship. And - oh, miracle! As soon as Anastasy stepped onto the deck, the ship itself moved away from the shore! In Constantinople, his first job was a tobacco store. But the work there was paid very little, which is why the young man walked around sad, dressed in rags, and often completely hungry. His only consolation was the faith of Christ: he prayed incessantly. He worked tirelessly during the day and studied the Holy Scriptures at night. Striving for missionary activity, he wrote various sayings of the holy fathers on pouches and wrappers of tobacco briquettes in order to spiritually help his clients.
Saint Nektarios himself recalled this in the preface to the book “Scientists’ Treasures.”

The young man continued to live in terrible hardships. Somehow, completely desperate, he decided to ask God Himself for what he needed. He always did this in prayer, but in the simplicity of his sincere heart he decided to turn to God... with a letter.

The boy wanted to express his complaint and ask the Lord to strengthen him. He took a pen and paper and simply wrote down what he felt. He sealed the envelope and signed: “To the Lord Jesus Christ in Heaven.” And then he went to the post office. On the way, I met the owner of a neighboring store who knew this guy well. good boy and saw what trials befall him. The neighbor also went to the post office and offered to send a letter to Anastasia along with his own. At the post office, the merchant saw the address on the envelope and was amazed. Not believing his eyes, he opened the letter and read it. The Lord helped him understand the whole drama that Anastasius was experiencing. This man immediately took a blank envelope, invested the money and wrote in a fatherly manner how to use these funds. Having sealed the envelope, he sent it to Anastasia, who, having received such a message, did not know where to go from joy. A real holiday has come in the boy’s life, a holiday in honor of the “answer” from the Lord. He immediately bought himself clothes, shoes, and food. And the owner of the tobacco shop, seeing such a dramatic change, immediately thought that all this was bought with money stolen from him. He cursed the boy, beat him and kicked him out. Tears and explanations were in vain. The conflict was resolved only after the intervention of a beneficent neighbor. Very soon Anastasia was found a new, more suitable occupation for the young man - he became a caretaker at a school at the courtyard of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Here he could study on his own.

He lived in Constantinople for six years. At the age of twenty, on Christmas Eve, in 1866, homesick, the young man decided to go to his family for a holiday. During the voyage, a terrible storm arose. The ship was in danger of sinking. At some point the mast broke. Anastasy immediately took off his belt and tied the cross to it, which was given to him by kind grandmother, and secured the broken mast with a belt. Holding her with one hand, with the other he made the sign of the cross, saying the words: “Lord, save us. Grant me, Lord, to receive a theological education, so that I may shut the mouths of those who profane Your divine name!” And a miracle happened! The ship arrived safely at the port.

In the same year, Anastasius moved to the island of Chios. Here he was offered a position as a teacher in the village of Lifi, where he worked for more than seven years. The villagers incredibly loved their teacher, appreciated the fact that he did not limit his activities only to the school, but preached the word of God in the temple, carried out extensive spiritual work, and was involved in charity work. The teacher himself lived extremely modestly, almost ascetically. On Sundays and holidays he came to the monastery of the holy fathers on the island of Chios and listened to the teachings of Elder Pachomius about the beginnings of monastic life.

On November 7, 1876, Anastassy took monastic vows with the name Lazarus. He is recorded as a monk of the famous Nea Moni (New Monastery), built back in 1045 by Emperor Constantine Monomakh. Monk Lazar receives the obedience of a secretary. The brethren of the monastery had a special love for the young monk, appreciating his complaisance and exceptionally humble disposition. A year after his tonsure, the monk’s numerous talents were appreciated, and on January 15, 1877, on the day of his baptism, Metropolitan Gregory of Chios ordained Lazarus to the rank of deacon in the Cathedral of Saints Minas, Victor and Vincent. He receives a new name - Nectarius. This name will later become known throughout the world. By calling on him, many people, by their faith, will be worthy of God’s mercy.

Father Nektarios spent three years in Nea Moni in unceasing prayer and fasting, preparing himself for the high service to which the Lord moved him.
The grace of God was generously poured out on Deacon Nektarios. The greatness of his soul was evident in everything. The young monk was eager to study, but had no funds. But the Lord did not leave him! He inspired one pious and wealthy Christian, named John Horemis, to pay attention to Deacon Nektarios of Nea Moni and help him become a blessed instrument of God's Providence. This man took upon himself the costs of moving Father Nectarius to Athens to continue his studies. Father Nektary rejoiced, seeing how his dream began to come true, and glorified the name of the Most Good God. Praying for his benefactor, he plunged headlong into his studies.

After completing his education, on the recommendation of Horemis, he moved to Alexandria to Patriarch Sophronius IV, who occupied this see from 1870 to 1899. The Patriarch liked young people who had a truly Christian character and loved science. He especially appreciated Deacon Nektarios and advised him to return to Athens to continue his studies and receive higher theological education. In 1882, Father Nektarios entered the theological faculty of the University of Athens. He studies brilliantly and even receives a scholarship named after A. Papadakis. Father Nektary received a graduate diploma from the Faculty of Theology on November 13, 1885 and returned to Alexandria. In the Cathedral of St. Sava on March 23, 1886, the Patriarch ordained him as a priest. Five months later, in August of the same year, he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite in the Church of St. Nicholas in Cairo. At the same time, he was appointed preacher and patriarchal secretary, and then patriarchal governor in Cairo. Archimandrite Nektarios showed great zeal in fulfilling his high duties. He cared primarily about increasing the number of clergy in his diocese, preached and admonished people, and directed the activities of churches. Patriarch Sophrony closely followed his work and decided to reward his diligence. So Nektarios received the title of Supreme Archimandrite of the Alexandrian Church. Three years later, on January 15, 1889, Supreme Archimandrite Nektarios Kefalas was ordained bishop and appointed metropolitan of the once glorious Metropolis of Pentapolis. The consecration was performed in the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Cairo by Patriarch Sophronius and the bishops - former Bishop Anthony of Kerkyra and Porfiry, Bishop of Sinai.

Metropolitan Nektarios of Pentapolis, glorifying the Lord, begins to make even greater efforts to raise up his spiritual children. His fame spreads throughout Egypt and spreads far beyond its borders.

But the devil, who hates good, arranged it in such a way that Lord Nektarios has an irreconcilable enemy in the person of the ruling bishop. Everyone assumed that the Metropolitan of Pentapolis would become the Patriarch of Alexandria in the future and from this elevation would be able to strike at the main centers of the satanic power. And this opinion, the possibility of this happening, although Metropolitan Nektary never thought about it, Satan makes it a topic of gossip, gossip, and speculation. Envious and evil people began to convince the Patriarch that the Metropolitan of Pentapolis was plotting and working only to achieve one goal: to take possession of the patriarchal throne of Alexandria. The insidious reports were not slow to have an impact on the more than 90-year-old Patriarch, and after some time the pious, humble and harmless Nektary found himself in the role of a persecuted one. His life in the Patriarchate became unbearable. At first, he was removed from all duties, released from the positions he held, and finally, the Patriarch fired him without any explanation.
Evil and envy have triumphed. Saint Nektarios was removed from the post of Patriarchal Locum Tenens, and two months later he was expelled from the Patriarchate with the following paper: “Our unworthiness with this patriarchal letter of dismissal declares that the bearer of this, His Grace Metropolitan of the glorious Pentapolis diocese, Vladyka Nektarios Kephalas, who did not live well in the climate of Egypt, he is sent to other lands and called upon to fulfill his episcopal duties, wherever he is, with the permission of local church authorities. In confirmation of this, this letter of release is issued for presentation in all necessary cases, Alexandria, July 11, 1890, Patriarch of Alexandria Sophronius.”

Saint Nektarios patiently endures the trial that befell him. He leaves Egypt in sorrow, for he leaves here his flock and everything that was done by his labor. About a thousand of his spiritual children from the Greek community in Cairo turned to him with sorrowful farewell letter, in which they thanked him for his work and for the holiness of his life. And now he is already in Athens.

For more than seven months Saint Nektarios lived in Athens in terrible deprivation. But he entrusts all his spiritual and material needs, his entire life, to the Lord Himself. He believed that the Lord would take care of him this time too. And so it happened. On February 15, 1892, he was given a position as a preacher in the Phthiodite and Phokis dioceses. In March 1894, he was invited to head the Theological School named after the Risari brothers. It was a huge responsibility. He was supposed to prepare capable theologians, preachers, bishops, and priests for service. The saint remained in this position for 14 years. The period of work at the Risari school was productive and unusually fruitful. The contribution of Saint Nektarios here too could not be overestimated. It was during the period of the saint’s work as director of the school that the patriarchal throne of Alexandria was empty and, as printed materials of that time testify, everyone’s thoughts turned to the Metropolitan of Pentapolis.

But he preferred a solitary life. By this time he had already visited the Holy Mountain and the desire to follow monastic path became more and more strong within him. In 1904, while still the director of the Risarian school, Saint Nektarios founded the convent of the Holy Trinity on the island of Aegina.
The first nuns settled there - his students, whom he often visited and strengthened them spiritually and materially. In 1908, he resigned from his position as school director due to health reasons and settled on the island of Aegina. Numerous memories have been preserved of his holy life there, of extraordinary miracles, when he, like the ancient ascetics, could bring down rain in a drought, or drive out locusts, or heal seriously ill people, even the blind. In the Monastery of the Holy Trinity, he spends the rest of his earthly life in great humility, constantly praying, serving God, creating theological works, preaching, confessing, instructing, spiritually strengthening people until the very day when on November 8, 1920 at 10.30 pm the Lord called him to For yourself. The shepherd left this world at the age of 74 in Athens and Aretheo Hospital after two months of treatment for acute inflammation of the prostate gland.
Immediately after the repose of the Lord, preparation of the body for burial began. They took off the deceased's shirt and laid it on the bed next to it, where the paralyzed man lay. As soon as the clothes touched the patient’s body, he immediately stood up, praising the Lord. At that same moment the whole room was filled with fragrance. Without an autopsy, the body was prepared for burial and transported to the island of Aegina. And there, with great reverence, the nuns and local residents They interred him on the territory of the monastery.

In April 1921, in order to erect a marble tomb, the burial was opened, and the body of the deceased turned out to be incorrupt. Even the flowers placed during the burial were fresh. The body itself exuded an amazing aroma. He was transferred to the abbot's chambers for 48 hours, then dressed in new clothes and buried again.

Three years after the repose, the body was again found incorrupt and fragrant. In 1927, on the initiative of Chrysostomos I, Archbishop of Athens, the relics were recovered for the third time. The saint's body remained incorrupt and exuded fragrance.

On September 3, 1953, the tomb was opened again. This time the relics of the saint, only the Lord knows why, were found decayed. On November 5, 1961, celebrations were held in the monastery and in the city of Aegina on the occasion of the official canonization of Orthodox Church Nektarios Kefalas, Metropolitan of Pentapolis (Patriarchal Decree No. 260 of April 20, 1961). The works that Saint Nektarios left behind are numerous and represent enormous spiritual value for all of us, Orthodox Christians. But the saint himself constantly gives his help to everyone who turns to him with humble faith. There are known cases of the appearance of a saint, his warning of dangers, and healings.

The glory of Orthodoxy is the holy saints of God, like new stars flashing in the horizon of the Church of Christ. Rus' shone in last times thousands of new martyrs and confessors, and more and more our believers know the names of these righteous men of God who stood for the Truth.

However, we must not forget that we believe in the Universal Church, that in Christ there is no national differences, and that saints appear in other countries. Glorifying the Marvelous God in His saints, I would like to tell about the holy saint who shone in Greece and recently became famous in our Fatherland. This is Saint Nektarios, Metropolitan of Pentapolis and Aegina wonderworker.

Saint Nektarios of Aegina, a saint glorified by the Greek Church, lived at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Several of his biographies have been published in Russia, but he cannot be called widely known. In Greece he is revered everywhere as a renowned miracle worker. Many temples and chapels are dedicated to him. Through the prayers of the saint, people receive help and healing, and he especially helps those suffering from cancer.

Rejoice, young eagle who has mental prayers!

The future saint was born into a family of pious parents in 1846 in Selivria of Thracia, not far from Constantinople, and was named Anastasius at Epiphany. As a true chosen one of God, from childhood the boy fell in love with the temple, the Holy Scriptures, and learned to pray. The poverty of his parents did not allow him to study at home, and at the age of 14 he left for Constantinople to go to work and pay for his studies.

Life in a big city was not easy. The boy got a job at a tobacco factory, but there was not enough money, and one day, in despair, realizing that there was no one to expect help from, Anastasy decided to turn to the One whom he loved so much and on Whose help he relied all his life. He wrote a letter to the Lord: “My Christ, I have no apron, no shoes. I ask You to send them to me, You know how much I love You.” On the envelope he wrote the address: “To the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven” and asked to take the letter to the post office of his neighbor merchant. He, surprised by the unusual signature on the envelope, opened the letter and, seeing such a request and the power of faith, sent the boy money in the name of God. So providentially the Lord did not abandon his chosen one.

Years passed, but the young lad was not touched by the temptations of the big city. As before, he devoted all his free time to prayer and the study of the holy fathers. His dream was to preach the word of God. One incident from this time is remarkable. One day the future saint went home for a holiday. The ship he was sailing on was caught in a storm. All the passengers began to murmur against God in horror. Anastasy, grabbing hold of the sagging sails, cried out with all his heart: “My God, save me. I will teach theology to silence those who blaspheme Your Holy Name.” Suddenly the storm stopped and the ship reached the shore safely.

Rejoice, valiant warrior of Jesus Christ...

At the age of 22, Anastasy moved to the island. Chios and began working as a school teacher, here he not only teaches, but also preaches. Morality in the village and school was at its lowest level at the beginning of his teaching and gradually rose to the proper level thanks to the works of Anastasia the teacher.

His influence on his students was such that they, and through them all adults, soon developed love and deep respect for him. He created a wonderful choir from his students and sang with them in a rural church, but his soul was drawn to monasticism. Anastasius visited Athos and talked with the elders, and eventually went to a monastery, where he was tonsured and ordained as a deacon with the name Nektarios, which is now known in many countries.

With all his heart disposed towards monastic life, the young man often visits the Neo Moni monastery. In it, he was tonsured into monasticism with the name Lazarus, and after three years spent there, he was awarded tonsure into the mantle and ordination as a deacon with the new name Nektarios. Nectary means immortal. This name could not have been more suitable for him, for truly the Nectar of Life flowed in his soul and from himself, like a stream, flowed a fragrant stream, filling everyone and everything with joy.

Having the opportunity to continue his education, Nektarios graduated from the Faculty of Theology in Athens, and at the same time the Patriarch of Alexandria Saphronius brought him closer to him. At the age of forty, the Patriarch ordains Nektarios as a priest. With zeal and selflessness, he accepted his new obedience and appointment to the St. Nicholas Church in Cairo. A few years later in this temple he was consecrated Bishop of Pentapolis. Episcopal dignity did not change Nektarios’ lifestyle and behavior in any way. He continued to strive only to acquire humility. “Dignity does not elevate its owner; virtue alone has the power of exaltation,” he wrote during these years.

In one of his letters from that time, the Saint talks about a remarkable dream in which Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker appeared to him. It should be added that Nektarios was at that time restoring a temple in Cairo in honor of this great saint. In a dream, Nektary saw the tomb of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, and in it the Pleasant of God himself was alive, as if sleeping. Then Nicholas the Wonderworker rose from the shrine and, smiling tenderly, asked Nektarios to decorate his throne in the temple with gold, and then hugged him and kissed him. This kiss by the great Bishop Nicholas apparently had the meaning of special favor towards Saint Nektarios and, perhaps, symbolized the continuity of the gift and the kinship of souls in Christ.

Rejoice, persecuted for the sake of righteousness...

The rapid rise, the love of the Patriarch and the people, and the even more virtuous and pure life of the saint aroused envy and hatred in many. As the saint himself said about this: “A virtuous person is subject to temptations and trials in this world,” but in the depths of his heart he rejoices, for his conscience is calm. The world hates and despises virtuous people, at the same time, however, envying them, for our ancestors said: the enemy himself also admires virtue.

To what has been said, we can add that he is not only delighted, but also takes revenge. Influential people of the patriarchal court feared that universal love for the saint would lead him to be among the contenders for the place of His Holiness Patriarch of Alexandria, since Saphronius was already in old age. They slandered the saint, accusing him not only of encroaching on the patriarchate, but also of immoral life. The Metropolitan of Pentapolis was dismissed and had to leave Egyptian soil. He didn't try to make excuses or defend himself. “A good conscience is the greatest of all blessings. “It is the price of spiritual peace and peace of heart,” the saint said in his sermons, leaving his pulpit forever. A hostile mood followed him like a shadow in Athens, where he moved. He went through the authorities in vain; they didn’t want to accept him anywhere. By the grace of God, the bishop, eking out a miserable existence, was deprived not only of consolation, but sometimes even of his daily bread. But the Lord rewarded him for his patience.

One day, in Once again Having accepted the refusal from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the saint descended the ministerial stairs with tears in his eyes. Seeing him in this state, the mayor of the city spoke to him. Having learned about the plight in which Nectarius was, the mayor secured a position as a preacher for him. The glorious Metropolitan of Pentapolis took the place of a simple preacher in the province of Euboea, but even here he was met with hostility, believing slanderous rumors. Every Sunday, Vladyka Nektary rose to the pulpit to preach the Word of God, for consolation and admonition, encountering distrust and silent condemnation of those listening. Desperate to reach their hearts, he decided: “This is the last time I will rise to preach, and if they do not hear me, I will leave.” And again, out of His love, the Lord performed a miracle. In one week, the news spread around the city that what the townspeople had previously believed about the saint was false. The following Sunday, his sermon was received with enthusiasm.

The love of the people accompanied Nectarius. But until the end of his life he had to bear the cross of exile and the name of a disgraced metropolitan who did not belong to any autocephalous Church. For some time he had hope of changing this situation when the new Patriarch Photius took the throne in Alexandria. The saint addressed him with a letter about reconsidering the matter and recognizing his bishopric. But hopes were in vain. The new Patriarch did not even respond to his request. Until the end of his days, the Metropolitan of Pentapolis was forced to be in an incomprehensible canonical position, signing all his papers “travelling bishop.”

Rejoice, for you have become a captive of the love of God. Rejoice, for you have captivated your children with love...

Gradually, the darkness of slander receded from the name of the disgraced saint. People, seeing his pure and virtuous life, listening to his inspired sermons, strove for him. The glory of the Pentapolis Metropolitan from the provinces soon reached the capital and the Greek royal palace. Queen Olga, having met him, soon became his spiritual daughter. Thanks to her, he is appointed director of the Risari Theological School in Athens. It trained clergy and secular church personnel. During the reign of the saint, the school experienced years of growth. Nektary treated his charges with inexhaustible love and patience. There are known cases when he imposed strict fasting on himself for the misconduct of his disciples.

By this time, his spiritual children began to gather around Nektarios, many went to him for advice and blessing. Then the gifts of God's grace begin to manifest themselves in the elder saint: insight, the gift of healing. When he served the Divine Liturgy, being in a state of prayer, his face emitted a light that was visible to those around him. But as before, his main adornment was true humility. When another bishop came to the school church to concelebrate with him, he never took the main place, even if it belonged to him by right of seniority. He always stood to the right of the throne, dressed only in a small omophorion, and instead of a miter he wore a black monastic hood.

One day, a school employee who was doing cleaning fell ill and was very worried that he would be fired from his job. A few weeks later, he returned to find that someone had been doing his job all along. Very surprised, he decided to find out who this merciful benefactor was. Arriving at school early in the morning, he was amazed to see his “deputy.” This was Metropolitan of Pentapolis, director of the theological school, Vladyka Nektariy. After finishing sweeping the restroom, he said: “Don’t be surprised, I’m not going to take your place, I just want to help you keep this job. While you are sick, I will work for you. Just don’t talk about it at school.”

Rejoice, innocent shepherd of innocent sheep, Rejoice, wise collector of virgin pearls!

Among the numerous spiritual children, several girls gathered near the Vladyka, wanting to devote themselves to the monastic life, but who did not dare to go to any monastery, so as not to lose the spiritual guidance of their mentor.

Like a good shepherd, taking care of them, Nektary began to look for a suitable place and stopped his search on Fr. Aegina. Having found the ruins of an ancient monastery here, he buys this land with his own funds. The first nuns come here.

In his monastery, the Saint, by revelation of God, introduced the institution of deaconesses, which had long disappeared from the practice of the Orthodox Church. But, we repeat, this was done by him by revelation.

Towards the end of his life, another blow fell on the Saint. 18-year-old Maria Kuda came to the monastery after escaping from her oppressive mother-candlemaker. Saint Nektarios accepted her into the monastery. Then the girl’s mother filed a complaint against the saint, accusing him of seducing girls and killing the babies they allegedly gave birth to. The investigator, who arrived at the monastery, called the saint a centaur and pulled the elder by the beard, and he humbly answered him and himself prepared food for the offender, forbidding the nuns to cry and murmur. The girl was examined by a doctor and confirmed her cleanliness; Of course, the “killed” babies were not found either. After this, the girl’s mother went crazy, and the investigator became seriously ill and came to ask the saint for forgiveness.

The saint predicted to his novices that their monastery would be rich if they worked hard (what kind of wealth was the saint talking about? Probably, first of all, about the spiritual, although now the monastery is not poor financially either).

One day, while walking with a novice in nature, the Saint asked her: “Do you want to see your Guardian Angel?” The novice, of course, expressed great desire. “Here he is in front of you,” answered the saint. And then the girl fell unconscious, unable to bear what she saw. The saint later regretted what happened, saying that the girl was not ready yet.

Another time, the sisters of the monastery asked the Saint to explain to them how to understand the words “every breath praises the Lord,” and how nature praises the Creator. The saint did not answer anything to this, only the next evening he said to the sisters: “You asked me about how nature glorifies the Lord? Listen for yourself.” Through the prayers of the Saint, the sisters heard something that cannot be explained to us.

The entire life of the new monastery took place under the leadership of Saint Nektarios, with whom the sisters maintained constant correspondence. What fatherly love, care and tenderness his letters are filled with. For some time, the saint simultaneously led the school, while staying in Athens, and his newly built monastery, but the Lord ordered that the Bishop resign from the school and permanently move to Aegina. He spent the last twelve years of his life with his nuns, raising them for the Heavenly Kingdom. They had to endure many sorrows and temptations, but these were also years of grace. During this time, the monastery was put in order and the economy was organized. Every day Saint Nektarios taught the sisters lessons on dogmatics, ethics, and asceticism, and in the evenings they gathered around and listened to stories about the inscrutable mysteries of the Kingdom of God. No one noticed how time passed. “It’s already late,” the saint sometimes said. “Let’s go to the temple to pray.” And after the end of the service he added: “What if we read a few prayers to the Mother of God?” Time continued to run, and the morning rooster crow found the entire community in the temple during prayer.

Rejoice, dead and living, Rejoice, earthly and heavenly!

Meanwhile, the years of the saint’s earthly life were coming to an end. Feeling this, he prayed that the Lord would extend the time limit for completing all the affairs in the monastery, but as he had done all his life, he humbly added: “Thy Will be done!”

The long-hidden disease has finally taken its toll. Accompanied by two nuns, he was sent to the hospital. Looking at the little old man dressed in a cassock, who was suffering from terrible pain, the employee on duty asked: “Is he a monk?” “No,” answered the nun, “he is a bishop.” “For the first time I see a bishop without a panagia, a golden cross, and most importantly, without money,” the employee noted.

The saint was placed in a third-rate ward for incurable patients. He spent another two months in agony. On the day of the celebration of the Archangel Michael and all the Heavenly Powers, the Lord called to himself the soul of Saint Nektarios.

He didn't stay in the hospital for long; it turned out he had cancer. Miracles also happened in the hospital; the nurses noticed that the bandages with which they tied the wounds of the Saint were fragrant. A paralyzed man lay in the room with the saint, and when the saint’s soul left this world, he received complete healing through the shirt of Saint Nektarios.

Immediately after his death, the saint’s body began to flow myrrh. When the coffin was brought to Aegina, the whole island came out to see off their saint with tears. People carried the saint's coffin in their hands and then noticed that the clothes they wore during the saint's funeral were fragrant. The hands and face of the saint of God flowed myrrh abundantly, and the nuns collected myrrh wool.

Saint Nektarios was buried in the crypt of the monastery; the crypt was opened several times for various reasons and each time they were convinced that the body was incorruptible. Even the violets placed in the coffin by the girl were not touched by decay.

The saint's righteous death followed on November 9, Art. Art. 1920. In 1961, the saint’s canonization took place, and his holy relics were raised. It turned out that only the bones remained. As the confessors said, the relics decayed so that they could be spread throughout the world for a blessing from Saint Nektarios.

The veneration of the holy saint in the Churches of the East (Constantinople, Greece, Jerusalem, etc.) is comparable to the veneration of St. Seraphim of Sarov in Russia. Unfortunately, the name of this saint has not yet been included in the calendar of our Church, and there is no service for him yet. There is an akathist to Saint Nektarios in Russian. Until recently, this akathist was served in Moscow, in the Church of All Saints in Krasnoe Selo (rector Archpriest Artemy Vladimirov). In the same temple there was an icon of the Saint, which streamed myrrh, as they said, and several healings occurred. Currently, for some reasons, the akathist is not performed in this church, but icons and an akathist to Saint Nektarios can be purchased there. The saint became especially famous for his gracious assistance to oncological (cancer) patients suffering from paralysis and other serious illnesses, and possessed by demons. It is also known that Saint Nektarios helps people in financial difficulties.

With the blessing of His Eminence Philaret, Bishop of Penza and Kuznetsk, on the day of remembrance of St. Nektarios, November 22 (9), 2002, a solemn service was held in the Church of the Ascension of the Lord in the village of Staraya Stepanovka, Luninsky district, Penza region, and pilgrims arrived from Penza and the regions of the region. After the service, a letter was written to His Eminence Juvenal, Metropolitan of Krutitsky and Kolomna, Chairman of the Synodal Commission for the Canonization of Saints, with a request to include the name of St. Nektarios in the calendar of our Russian Church.

In the Church of the Ascension there is an icon of the saint and an akathist is performed with the blessing of oil. Akathist is performed on Sunday evenings.

Let us also resort to the help of this wondrous saint, thanking the Lord, in the words of the troparion dedicated to Saint Nektarios: Glory to Christ, who glorified you, glory to him who gave you miracles, grace, glory to him who heals you all.

Based on the biography of the archimandrite

Ambrose (Fontrier).

The material was prepared by Victoria Mekhanikova.

Miracles of Saint Nektarios

Countless are the miracles performed by St. Nectarius and not stopping from the moment of his dormition. We would not have enough time or paper to list them alone. And yet we will talk about several of them - from among the old and recent.

In January 1925, a godly girl suddenly suffered incredibly painful attacks from a spirit of malice. When the name of the Saint was mentioned, the enemy raged, insulted and tormented poor creature God's. Unable to bear the suffering of their daughter, the parents decided to take the unfortunate woman to the grave of the Saint on the day of Pentecost in the hope that there she would receive deliverance.

While they were getting to Aegina, the demon went completely berserk. In the monastery, the nuns were forced to tie the girl to one of the pine trees growing near the grave. There, thanks to the intercession of the Saint, the demon came out of the sufferer, who then accepted monasticism under the name of Metrodora.

In 1931, a young couple came to the monastery to baptize a child, who was dedicated to St. Nectaria. These parents already had two children born paralyzed. The first was still alive, but the second died. The third, who was brought to be baptized, was also born paralyzed. Discouraged and heartbroken, the parents went to fetch oil from the Saint’s lamp, with which they anointed their youngest child, promising the saint. Nectarius to baptize him in the monastery and name him in honor of the Saint. How can we tell about the miraculous power of Christ? Immediately after the third dive, the child was pulled out of the water completely healthy. He is still in full and perfect health.

Another child, a sleepwalker from birth, who suffered up to ten seizures a day, was healed by the Saint in 1933. His parents, who had reached complete despair, arrived in Aegina to get oil from the Saint’s lamp, anointed him, and when they showed him the icon they had bought at the monastery, he exclaimed: “Father” and venerated the image. Since then he has lived in good health to the great joy of his parents and to the glory of God, “Wonderful in His saints.”

In 1934, an educated girl from Thessalonica, who was practicing reading the Holy Scriptures and praying, one day fell into melancholy, losing the ability to utter anything other than the words “Woe! Woe! Woe!”

The mother was dismayed by the unexpected change in her daughter’s condition. She blessed her with holy icons, but the girl refused to venerate them, shouting: “This is fire! This is fire!” and did not want to make the sign of the cross. She was taken by force to the church, but even there she found no peace, continuing to whisper: “Woe! Woe! This is fire! Let's go, let's get out of here!”

By the time the cup was taken out, she was overcome with trembling and trembling. It was impossible for her to open her mouth; she turned her face away. With great difficulty we managed to give her communion, but... she rejected the Holy Gifts.

Desperate, deciding that their daughter was suffering from some kind of nervous disease, her parents put her in a psychiatric clinic. However, her health condition not only did not improve, but worsened. The girl was taken to Athens in the hope of finding more qualified doctors there. On the way to the capital, the parents met people who felt that their daughter was suffering from a mental illness and that she rather needed God’s help rather than medical help. They told their mother:

Your daughter is not suffering from nerves, as you think, but is possessed by the spirit of malice; she needs proofreading and blessed oil. On Aegina there is a nunnery in which the relics of St. Nectarius of Pentapolis, founder of the monastery. He works miracles all the time. Take her there. The saint will definitely take pity on her and you and heal her.

Believing them, the parents brought their daughter to Aegina on April 29 of the same year. The matter turned out to be not so simple. Arriving at the monastery, the girl refused to venerate the relics. She was anointed with oil from a lamp. With great difficulty the priest managed to read the prayer. The patient raged all night. In the morning, six nuns, barely restraining her, took the sufferer to church, where she began shouting the same words: “Woe! Woe! Woe! Fire!" At the moment of communion, new efforts were needed. For a whole month, the priest read a prayer over her every day. Truly the ways of the Lord are mysterious. On May 28, the day of the Holy Trinity and the patronal feast of the monastery, the girl got up in the morning on her own and, completely calm and collected, went to church and received communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. She was completely healthy.

In a dream, the Saint appeared to her, serving the Liturgy. He called her to him, blessed her and said:

You are healed.

She lived in the monastery until the first of July and left free from her illness, thanking God and His glorious servant.

The sponge catchers on Aegina once, before setting out to sea, prayed to their patron saint and promised to present him with the first sponge they caught in exchange for his blessing. All sponges caught that day were marked with the sign of the Cross. We saw these sponges, donated to the monastery and displayed in the window of the Saint’s cells.

Father Nektarios from Paros told us the story of a bus driver who lost his sight during an accident. Once passing by the Holy Trinity Monastery, the brave driver crossed himself and prayerfully said:

My Saint Nektarios, return the light to me and I will give you everything I have with me!

The unfortunate man immediately regained his sight. How could the Saint, say the nuns, not heal him when he helped the monastery transport parcels every day!

“I told about this miracle,” continues Father Nektariy, “to the owner of the Aegina cafe “Athea.” He reacted like this:

Dear brother, we have stopped being surprised here, because miracles happen every day!”

Yes, St. Nectary works miracles every day, and not only in Aegina, but all over the world, in France, in America...

“In 1949,” writes M.K., “in Greece, I underwent surgery for cancer at the St. Sabbas Cancer Hospital in Athens.” I had my uterus removed. At the end of the treatment, the doctor happily announced to me that I was out of danger. “Don't be afraid of anything,” he said. “But if you ever see bleeding, know that your end is near, since this will mean a relapse of the disease.”

Eight years have passed. In May 1957, I felt new pain in my stomach. One evening the bleeding started. The end was approaching, I sat on the bed and did not sleep all night, crying in despair.

This morning my sister and her husband visited me. She has just returned from Aegina, where she went for Easter. Seeing me unhappy, my sister began to find out the reason for my condition, her husband also insisted that I tell everything. I explained to them the reason for my despair, but my sister did not show any surprise or embarrassment; on the contrary, she great faith and with courage she told me that she was confident in the intercession of Saint Nektarios:

Don’t be afraid of anything, sister, because you believe in God and know about the many miracles that St. performed in our family. Nectary.

At the same time, she took out from her bag a bottle of oil from the Saint’s lamp, which she had brought from Aegina, and, handing it to me, said:

Take the oil, pray to the Saint, and he will heal you. For my part, I will also pray to him. Anoint your belly with oil and be sure that you will get better.

I followed my sister’s advice, asking the Saint for help, and - oh, miracle! From that moment on, the pain subsided and the bleeding stopped. From then until today(1962) I am absolutely healthy.

Blessed be the name of St. Nectaria! May these indisputable facts help many, many people to return to God, strengthening in them an unshakable faith in His omnipotence, in His Love and Providence and in the intercession of His saints, through whom He sends us healing of soul and body...”

K.S., a resident of the island of Lesvos, says that in January 1963, the disease in her right eye was getting worse every day. In a short time she completely stopped seeing them. “Imagine my misfortune,” she says. “I cried like a child at the thought that I might no longer be able to care for my paralyzed daughter. I went to Athens, where friends took me for an examination at the “Frederika” eye clinic. X-ray showed hemorrhage. The eye was incurable. I was taken to another clinic, the name of which I don’t remember. Six doctors and a professor examined me again and said that they could not help. Saddened and losing all hope, I returned to Lesvos, afraid of losing my left eye. In October, I decided to go to Mytilene (the capital of the island of Lesvos) in the hope of seeing other doctors, maybe...

On Sunday I went to church, where after the Liturgy I came across the newspaper “Saint Marin” (this small newspaper often talks about the miracles of St. Nektarios), which my paralyzed daughter and I constantly read. That day we read it with great concentration. Was it because I was planning to go the next day to Mytilene or because of my deep faith in St. Nectarius, in any case, I knelt down in front of the holy icons and began to pray to him with hot tears:

Saint Nektarios, I honor you and believe that if you want, you can heal me, although I am a poor sinner. I will thank you...

I fell asleep in peace, confident that the Saint had heard my prayer. Waking up early in the morning, I opened my eyes and, lo and behold, I saw with both eyes. I stood up and, giving thanks, anointed my eye three times in a cross shape with oil from the lamp. Some very cold liquid, like water, flowed out of it. It flowed for a very long time, then I felt that my eye was “defrosting.” Since then, I can sew and knit again and I couldn’t be happier.

I thank St. Nektarios and I praise the Lord, who commanded the Saint to heal me...”

The Bishop of Gortyn and Arkadia from the island of Crete talks about the miracle performed by St. Nectarius in his diocese in May 1965.

“The deepest excitement,” he writes, “grasped the whole of Massara after the undeniable and authentic miracle performed by St. Nectarius. Many, having heard about it, will begin to frown, expressing doubts and lack of faith. Others may smile and talk skeptically about miracles, saints, and God. Some will argue that all this is “an invention of priests deceiving ordinary people.”

Doctors talk about cases where, as a result of the intervention of some force, health is restored. There are, however, many organic diseases that cannot be cured. Science admits its powerlessness here and remains silent. True, the worm of doubt gnaws at human thought, because it lacks living, sincere faith. It is then that a miracle occurs that goes beyond the senses and empirical data and forces us to recognize the existence of an invisible spiritual world, which thus becomes tangible and real.

The kind mother of the family, Maria R., lives with her husband K., an intelligent and courageous man who works hard to earn bread for the children.

Maria has been suffering from some terrible head disease for a whole year now. Wild pains torment her to such an extent that her screams can be heard in neighboring houses. The disease also affected the lungs. Science has confirmed these facts. The doctor sent the patient to his colleagues in Heraklion (the capital of Crete), and they, in turn, sent her to the Athens Oncology Clinic “St. Sabbes.” According to the examination and analysis, there was no hope for healing: the disease was too advanced. On the advice of doctors, the husband brought his wife home and prepared for the worst. Maria fell ill with unbearable pain.

On the evening of May 18, someone knocked on the door of the Metropolis. I opened it to see who had arrived. Maria and her husband stood in front of me. Shocked, she told me that she was healed. She ran to me as if she had never been sick at all. Sitting down and crossing herself, she told me the story of her healing:

Kostya left the house to do some shopping. I told him not to linger, because it seemed to me from the terrible pain that the end was approaching. I prayed non-stop to St. Nectarius, so that he would heal me or take my life, because I was going crazy from pain.

Suddenly I saw some shadow entering the door. I thought it was my husband. The shadow approached me, but I could not discern who it was because my vision was blurred. Then I heard a voice telling me: “Get up, go to church and ring the bell. To everyone who asks you why you are calling, answer: St. Nectarius healed you.”

The pain suddenly subsided, I felt a huge surge of strength. Without any difficulty, I got out of bed, started walking and, as you can see, I walk perfectly...

We all went to the church where the icon of the Saint is located and served a thanksgiving prayer service there, glorifying the Lord and His saint.”

During the time of the Saint, there lived an atheist gendarme on Aegina. St. Nektarios exhorted him, persuading him to believe in God, repent, confess, come to church and receive communion. But the gendarme remained unshakable in his disbelief.

He was once sent by his ministry to Macedonia for twelve years. Returning to Aegina, he met the saint at the port, who renewed his exhortations, in vain, as before.

Once in a cafe with friends, the gendarme told them:

Surprisingly, the abbot of the Trinity Monastery is still alive!

Which abbot? - they asked him.

Abbot of the Holy Trinity Monastery...

So he died three years ago.

“What are you telling me,” answered the shocked gendarme, “I just saw him at the port and talked with him...

Everyone was gripped by sacred fear. Needless to say, the unbelieving gendarme immediately hurried to the monastery...

In Paris, the wife of one of our priests, who had suffered for many years from incurable headaches, received relief from a single anointing with oil from the Saint’s lamp, and later the illness weakened and disappeared.

The wife of one of our deacons was healed of fibroma, thus avoiding surgical intervention. It only took a few anointings to heal.

A certain man was healed twice by St. Nectarius, which appeared to him in a dream, which caused great surprise to the doctor who was about to operate on the patient.

One of our nuns, who lives in constant communion with the Heavenly Bridegroom in unceasing prayer, once asked St. Nectaria help her find a way out difficult situation. At dawn she dreamed of him, handing her a piece of bread with the words:

Take it, it's joy!

The next day, all her difficulties were resolved much more easily than she could have expected. Another time she prayed the whole night for the whole world and for many suffering souls, begging St. Nectarius to cover all the unfortunate with his blessing. She dreamed of him again, dressed in bishop's robes. In a very soft voice he told her:

I have a burning desire to help people... for I see Christ... He is still crucified.

I am present in the world with my relics... may the priest who knows me bless everyone who comes for relief, cleansing, forgiveness... My relics are my stole.

And there are many, many more cases that, due to lack of space, we cannot talk about in this book.

Every day throughout every year, overcoming a variety of obstacles, pilgrims come to Aegina. Ordinary people, intellectuals, officials... There are many here who suffer from nervous diseases, epileptics, hysterics... They also come here to find peace of their conscience, to find solutions to complex problems, and a way out of material difficulties. And no one leaves without results. Some pilgrims crawl on their knees, come barefoot and spend whole days in fasting, and nights in prayer, and cry. Often the silence here is broken by poorly controlled sobs...

The saint said to his spiritual daughters:

The day will come when many will come here. Some to glorify God, others for comfort and healing, others out of curiosity...

“Nectarios became a saint,” writes the abbot from Paros, “from among so many thousands of people, bishops, priests, hieromonks, monks, and laity. Why does God, who loves all people and wants everyone to be saved, so that everyone can be saints and gods by grace, not give His grace to others so that they too can become saints? My dears, God offers His benefits to everyone, gives them free of charge to everyone. But because He is just, He does not give them to those who are not worthy of them, but only to those who deserve them. He gives them to those who struggle to obtain them, and not to indifferent and arrogant people. He gives them to pious people who fear Him, love Him and keep His commandments, and not to the atheists, the proud, the unfaithful and those who depart from His Divine commandments. He gives them to those who fast, who are abstinent, who pray: “The gifts of heaven are obtained by fasting, vigil and prayer.” The Lord gives His gifts to those who possess three great virtues: humility, faith, love.”

These three virtues adorned Nectarius and revealed him to the saints. To whom will I look: to him who is humble and contrite in Spirit, and to him who trembles at My word, says the Lord (Isa. 66:2). And Solomon says that God resists the proud and is merciful to the humble. The Lord turned His gaze to the Mother of God and the Ever-Virgin Mary. He looked upon the humility of His servant... (Luke 1:48). The Lord looked upon the humility of the holy prophets, apostles and all saints and made them chosen vessels and instruments of the Holy Spirit.

The Lord saw Nektarios’ humility. And made him a saint. He also saw his true, strong and unshakable faith, which permeated all his writings in defense of the Orthodox Faith. This faith made him a miracle worker. Those who believe, says the Lord, will be accompanied by these signs: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will take snakes; and if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them; They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. (Mark 16:17-18).

On September 2, 1953, at the direction of the Saint, the grave was opened. Only the skeleton remained. The Lord wanted the bones and relics of His saint to be distributed throughout the world as a sign of blessing. Blessed be the name of the Lord, for we too have received, thanks to Mother Magdalene, our share of this blessing. A silver miter was placed on the skull, and the bones were folded into a large reliquary. The fragrance spread that day to the entire monastery and the entire surrounding area.

When we arrived in Aegina on the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord, we felt a fragrance coming from the now empty tomb. The nun who accompanied us explained to us that this was a sign of the kind reception that the Saint gave to those who came to him with faith and piety. It was an amazing smell of incense combined with the smell of vanilla, white iris - a whole rainbow of aromas.

According to the Monk Simeon the New Theologian, the soul, which has become worthy to participate in God's grace, sanctifies its entire body, for it is she who preserves it, being present in all its members. Just as the grace of the Holy Spirit takes possession of the soul, so the soul takes possession of the body. But as long as the soul is united with the body, the Holy Spirit does not elevate the entire body in the name of its own glory, for it is necessary for the soul to manifest its will until the very end of earthly life. When death occurs, and the soul is separated from its body and, victorious, receives the crown of glory as a reward, then the grace of the Holy Spirit takes possession of the whole body, as well as the soul. Then the remains of the saints work miracles and heal diseases.

When the soul is separated from the body at the moment of death, it remains completely in the Divine, that is, in the grace of God. As for the body, it remains without a soul, but with God, and shows people miracles - divine energy. The soul and body, after being freed from all needs, from all vanity associated with their union, completely become God’s, and God’s grace acts in both one and the other, without encountering any obstacles. God makes them His own during their life, worthy of the God who lived in this world when they were united.

That is why everything that comes into contact with the relics receives a certain power, the grace of God, as is clear from the Acts of the Apostles: God worked many miracles with the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs and aprons from his body were placed on the sick, and their illnesses ceased, and evil spirits came out of them (Acts 19:11-12).

Recognized by the Orthodox people during the lifetime of Saint Nektarios, his holiness was soon recognized by the hierarchy. Forty years after his dormition, the Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras confirmed the holiness of the Metropolitan of Pentapolis with a decree of April 20, 1961, signed by the entire Synod of the Church of Constantinople.

On November 5 of the same year, Aegina wrote a new glorious page in her golden book. The one whom he accepted dead on November 10, 1920, was carried with glory to the Aegina Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Monastery for the official act of proclaiming his holiness.

Thousands of believers poured onto the island. There was a strong storm that day, and the fragile ships plying between Piraeus and Aegina were in serious danger. But the Saint appeared to many and said:

Calm down, no one will die today.

The cortege set off from the monastery. The schoolchildren walked forward, followed by the male and female choirs. Then moved banners, standards, banners, a detachment of the Royal Navy, representatives of the Risari school. The nuns with a huge icon of the Saint, his miter, staff and other things walked in front of four priests, who carried a silver miter with the skull of the Saint on their shoulders. Other priests carried the reliquary.

From the works of St. Nektarios of Aegina.

1. About the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

According to Orthodox teaching, the Church has double meaning, one expresses her dogmatic and religious character, in other words - intimate and spiritual; the other is its external character in the true sense of the word. According to the Orthodox spirit and confession, the Church defines itself as a religious institution and as a religious society.

The definition of the Church as a religious institution can be formulated as follows: The Church is the religious institution of the New Testament. Our Savior Jesus Christ created it through the economy of His Incarnation. It is based on faith in Him, on true confession of Him.

It was established on the day of Pentecost at the moment of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the holy disciples and apostles of Christ the Savior. He made them instruments of divine grace to perpetuate the redemptive work of the Savior. The fullness of revealed truths was invested in this institution; the grace of God acts in him through the sacraments; in him, through faith in Christ the Savior, those who flow to him are reborn; it contains the apostolic teaching and tradition, both written and oral.

The definition of the Church as a religious society boils down to the following: The Church is a society of people united in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3).

Her apostolic ministry can be formulated as follows: The Church is an instrument of God's grace, which brings about God's communication with people through faith in the Savior Jesus Christ.

Having ascended into heaven, our Lord sent His Holy Spirit in the form tongues of fire on His holy disciples and apostles. On these His apostles He created the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church - a society of God and people. He gave her the grace of redemption to save the human race, bringing it back from error and regenerating it through the sacraments, and to make it worthy future life, feeds him with heavenly bread.

In Holy Scripture the word “Church” has two meanings. Most often - in the sense human society, united by a religious union, or - the Temple of God, in which believers gather for joint worship. Cyril of Jerusalem says that the Church is called that because it calls all people and because it gathers them.

The word “Church” comes from the ancient Greek language. It means a gathering of people called for a purpose, and also the place where they gather. It is both containing and content.

In a broad and Christian sense, the Church is the society of all free and rational beings, all who believe in the Savior, including angels. The Apostle Paul says: And (God the Father) hath appointed Him (Jesus Christ) above all things, to be the head of the Church, which is His Body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all (Eph. 1:22-23). Thus, it unites all who believed in Christ before His coming into the world, who formed the Church of the Old Testament, which in the time of the Patriarchs was governed by promises and revealed faith, that is, orally. Then, during the time of Moses and the Prophets, it was governed by Law and Prophecy, that is, by writing.

In the ordinary and narrow sense of the word, the Church of Christ is the Church of the New Testament, the Church of the Grace of Christ. It includes everyone who believes in Him Orthodoxy. It is also called the House of God because God dwells there primarily and because He is worshiped there.

The foundation of the Church is the Prophets and Apostles. The cornerstone is the Savior. Its pillars are the Holy Fathers, who have preserved the unity of faith. Its stones are believers. You are no longer strangers and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints... and built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone... (Eph. 2:19-20).

Finally, the Church in inspired and divine Scripture is called “the bride of Christ”: I have betrothed you to one husband, in order to present you to Christ as a pure virgin (2 Cor. 11:2). And also the House of the Living God, the pillar and foundation of the Truth, as well as the Body of Christ: And you are the body of Christ, and individually members (1 Cor. 12:27).

St. Methodius, Bishop of Patara, who lived at the end of the 3rd century, calls the Church in the “Feast of the Ten Virgins” the repository of divine powers, the eternally young Bride of the Word. She is God's creation, surpassing everything human. At the end he presents it as “a congregation, a multitude of all those who believe,” where the old teach the young, and the perfect teach the weak.

Saint Hippolytus, famous father Roman Church, disciple of St. Irenaeus, in her early 3rd century work “Christ and Antichrist,” speaks a lot about the Church and calls it a ship in a stormy sea. It contains the captain, sailors, sails, anchors and all the gear symbolizing Christ, angels and believers.

By believing in the Holy Spirit, who inspired these Church Fathers, we inevitably believe in the Holy Church, which is the object of all these names given by the Holy Spirit.

About the Kingdom of God or the Church

Being the King, our Lord Jesus Christ created the Kingdom of Heaven on earth immediately after His Ascension, when He sat down at the right hand of God the Father and when He received from His Eternal Father all the fullness of power in heaven and on earth.

His Kingdom on earth is His Church. As King, Jesus cares for him, gives rules, records visions and prophecies, and stops sacrifice and offering (Dan. 9:24 et seq.).

He governs, guides and guides it eternally with the help of His sacred servants. Abundantly and unceasingly He dispenses the gifts of His Holy Spirit in order to strengthen, nurture and expand it. The Savior King sanctifies, comforts, preserves, exalts and glorifies His people (John 15:26; Acts 2:33-36).

Being the King, the Lord establishes order in His kingdom by giving the Church its servants. As King, Jesus gave His people Laws.

Being the King, He calls the nations to believe in Him. As a King, He asks His followers to sacrifice even their lives for the sake of Him and His kingdom. As King, He declared war on evil and through grace gave peace. As King, Jesus reigns in the hearts of believers united with Him through His Holy Church.

Anyone who is not a member of the Church is outside the Kingdom of Christ and is deprived of the honor of being His son.

The Holy Church of Christ is a divine ecclesiastical institution founded by our Savior Jesus Christ for the salvation of the human race. The Church was given by the Savior as an instrument of His divine love and mercy for man. She is the eternal bearer of divine grace and the trustee of human salvation, being God, Our Lord Jesus Christ, always identical with Himself, saves in all ages all those who believe in Him.

For this purpose He created His eternal Church. It includes all believers, from the first to the last. He is its Head and keeps it alive and active and strengthens it for centuries. The Head of the Church in Eden, Jesus Christ was the Head of the Church of the Patriarchs, established on the Mosaic Law, which anticipated the New Testament Church through images and symbols.

The Church of Christ is the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, destined from the very foundation of the world for the salvation of people and the institution for eternal existence.

In his letter to Panarios, St. Epiphanius of Cyprus discusses the Church and at the end says: “The Church was created from Adam; it was preached to the Patriarchs before Abraham; they believed in it after Abraham; it was revealed by Moses; Isaiah prophesied about her; she was revealed by Christ and exists with Him; and now it is celebrated by us.” And in paragraph 78 of his treatise on the Catholic Church, he says: “The character of the Church is determined by the Law, the Prophets, the Apostles and the Evangelists.”

Cyril of Jerusalem notes that the Church includes everyone who believed in Christ before His coming; they constituted the Church of the Old Testament; he also says that in the time of the Patriarchs the Church was governed by promises and faith received from revelation, that is, not in writing but orally. Since the time of Moses and the Prophets, the Church has been governed by Law and Prophecy, that is, written Tradition.

Thus, the Church is the Kingdom of Christ based on earth, and St. Chrysostom says that it is “the place of angels, the place of archangels, the Kingdom of God, heaven itself.” The Holy Spirit who descended on her remains in her at all times, as the Savior spoke about this to His disciples: And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Comforter, and may he abide with you forever, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him and does not know Him; and you know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you (John 14:16-17).

The Holy Spirit richly supplies the Church with all divine charisms. She received the right to bind and loose sins, preach the Gospel, and call nations to salvation. She received the power to revive the morally fallen, making them into the image of God, endowing them with image and likeness. She acquired the right to reconcile them with God and make them participants in the grace of God, unite them with the Savior, communicate the Holy Spirit to all those who resort to her, and make them sons of God. She received the power to defeat all her opponents, to remain impregnable forever, to bring down her enemies, to remain invulnerable.

According to John Chrysostom, the defeated Church remains victorious, humiliated, it becomes even more radiant. They inflict wounds on her, but she is not struck down; they shake her, but she doesn’t go to the bottom; they take her by storm, but she does not suffer a wreck. She is not passive, she fights without being defeated.

The Church of the Savior is truly the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Love, joy, peace reigns in it. Faith in God abides in her; through religious feeling and inner heart knowledge we come to the knowledge of God, to the knowledge hidden secrets, to the knowledge of the revealed Truth. In it, aspirations turn out to be reliable and confident; in it salvation is realized; in it the Holy Spirit expands Himself and abundantly pours out the fruits of His divine grace. In it flourishes divine zeal for God, perfect love and devotion to Him, as well as an incessant desire for endless union with God.

In the Church of God, moral virtues reach the peak of perfection accessible to man. With a purified spirit and a transformed heart by the sacrament of holy baptism, a person with a once darkened and hardened soul develops completely new virtues and moves along the steps of virtue with zeal and zeal. The Church truly renewed, recreated man, made him into the image of God. The Holy Altar of the Church is the true Table, feeding believers for eternal life; He distributes to the believers the bread of heaven, the body of heaven, and those who eat it do not die forever. The Holy Throne, installed at the center of Christ's Church, is the Heavenly Table; he receives earthly gifts and takes them to heaven, he receives heavenly gifts and distributes them on earth. The Holy Throne of the Church touches the earth and at the same time the High Throne. The throne is terrible for the angels themselves, soaring under the vaults of heaven.

The Church is the hope, refuge, consolation of all believers in Christ. The Divine Chrysostom says that the Church, planted by God in the world, is like a harbor in the ocean. Leaving the bustle of life, we find refuge in it and enjoy peace.” And further: “Do not move away from the Church; there is nothing more powerful than the Church, nothing stronger than a rock, higher than the sky, wider than the earth. She never ages, but blossoms endlessly. Why does Scripture call it a mountain? - Because of her steadfastness. Why does it also call it a rock? - Because of its incorruptibility. Through her, all wild animals were tamed by the divine spell, which is the hearing of the Holy Scriptures. It pierces the ears of every person, invades the soul and lulls the raging passions in it.”

According to St. Ignatius, the true Church is one: “There is one Jesus Christ and there is nothing dearer than Him. Come to the Church, which is the one Temple of God, the one throne of the one Lord Jesus Christ, born of one Father...”

St. Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, disciple of St. Polycarp and listener of the Evangelist John, says the following about the Church in his book “Against Heresies”: “It is impossible to list the charisms that the Church received from God throughout the world in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, crucified under Pontius Pilate for the good of the nations. Without leading them into deception or delusion, she selflessly gives what she unselfishly received from God.”

Speaking about the mission of the Church of Christ, St. Theophilus, Bishop of Antioch (2nd century), compares the Church in the 14th paragraph of his second book to “islands of the sea.” Some of them are inhabited, with water, fruits, roadsteads and harbors to provide shelter for those threatened by sea storms. In the same way, God gave the world, raging and torn by sins, temples called holy churches, in which, like in safe island harbors, the doctrine of the Church is preserved. Those who want to be saved resort to them; they become lovers of Truth and thus escape the wrath and judgment of God.

Other islands are rocky, have neither water nor fruit, they are wild and uninhabited. They pose a danger to travelers and shipwrecked people. Ships crash on them and passengers die. These are the evil creeds that I call heresies. Not guided by the Word of Truth, they mislead those who join them. They are like pirates who, having loaded their ships and wandering the waves, will crash their ships on these islands and lose them forever. The same is the case with those who move away from the truth and perish in error.”

The Divine Gregory the Theologian, in his first speech against Julian the Apostate, says this about the Church: “You (Julian) oppose the great inheritance of Christ, great and never passing away, which He created as God and which He inherited as man. It is proclaimed by the Law, filled with grace, Christ revived it, the prophets planted it, the apostles bound it, the evangelists raised it...”

In his speech on the conciliar faith of St. Epiphanius of Cyprus testifies: “The Church is our mother. She is a bride who came from Lebanon, beautiful and pure; the great artist's paradise; village of the Holy King; bride of the chaste Christ; an innocent maiden betrothed to a single Bridegroom, transparent as the dawn, beautiful as the Moon, chosen as the sun. Proclaimed blessed by the Law, she dwells at the right hand of the King.”

The Church is a revelation constantly taking place in the world. In it, God reveals Himself in various and many ways and confirms His presence with His Divine powers. In his Epistle to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul speaks of the Church founded by Christ: And God appointed others in the Church, firstly apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers; further, to others he gave miraculous powers, also gifts of healing, help, government, and different languages. (1 Cor. 12:28).

The Case of the Church

The Apostle Paul defines the work of the Church in the following words: And He appointed some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some shepherds and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, until we all come into the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God... (Eph. 4:11-13).

Thus, the Church created by Christ the Savior has a perfect organization; she is an organic body. Her head is Christ, her guide is the Holy Spirit, who instructs her and abundantly imparts to her the gifts of God.

The Church is an organic body; it is visible, it gathers into a single whole all its members, both holy and weak. Sick members of the Church never cease to be parts of its body. Having been reborn in the Holy Sacraments and becoming children of grace, they can no longer be separated from it, even if they find themselves under the influence of church punishment; for for them, freed from original sin, there is no other place of residence except the Church. There is only one place in the world for a person to stay: heaven, where the Church is located, in which is the salvation of man.

After the fall of the forefathers and the emergence of sin, those who departed from God created another place - a place of sin. The Church of God included only those who turned their gaze to God and waited for the coming of the Savior. The Church carried within itself faith and hope for the promised salvation of humanity in Christ the Savior. Those who possessed this faith and this hope were in the Church of God, awaiting the redemption of mankind by the Savior, and received it. Those who did not have this faith and this hope were outside the Church. The reason for the existence of a place outside the Church was Adam’s sin. Therefore, in this world, since the fall of Adam, there have been two places - the place of the Church and the place outside the Church.

Those who come from the place of sin and through faith and the sacraments enter into the place of Christ's Church become members of it forever; it is impossible for them themselves to return to the place of sin after being reborn in baptism and cleansing from original sin. And since there is no other place, those who enter the Church remain in it, even sinners. The Church separates them, just as a shepherd separates sick sheep from healthy ones, but sick sheep, nevertheless, do not cease to remain sheep of the entire flock. When the sick sheep recover, they are reunited with the healthy ones. If they turn out to be incurable, then they perish in sin and will be judged by their sins. But while they are still in this world, they are considered as sheep of the common flock, in other words, as children of Christ’s Church.

According to Orthodox teaching, there is only one Church, the visible Church of Christ. A person coming from a place of sin is reborn in it, and he remains in it regardless of whether he is a saint or a sinner. As a member of the Church, the sinner does not infect the rest of it, because members of the Church are moral beings, free and not deprived of freedom, as is the case with the body of animals, where the disease of one is transmitted to all others.

Protestants who believe in an “invisible” earthly Church, consisting of the elect, known only to God, are mistaken. An invisible earthly Church cannot exist. Since people are not blameless and there is no sinless person, where can the chosen ones come from? The invisible Church of the elect would suffer from constant changes, from eternal substitutions of its members, if only because of man’s tendency to stumble and fall on the one hand, and on the other hand because of God’s compassion and His love for man, for God accepts all who returns to Him.

The true essence of the Church is that it both struggles and triumphs. She fights when she fights against evil for the kingdom of good; it triumphs in heaven and in the hearts of the righteous, who in the struggle have perfected themselves in faith in God and in virtues.

Anyone who believes in an invisible Church of the elect comes into conflict with the true spirit of the Church, which does not separate those who are on the path of perfection from those who have already become perfect. Such discernment is the work of God; He alone will separate the righteous from the sinners after death. Christ does not turn away from those whom He freed with His own blood, just as He did not turn away from sinners during His earthly life. Jesus Christ regards them as members of His Church and waits for their conversion until the last moment.

Those who divide the militant Church into visible and invisible: 1) divide the indivisible; and 2) they sin against the very meaning of the name of the Church.

First, they divide the Church. The Church of Christ is the Church of saints, otherwise it is not the Church of Christ at all. The Church of sinners cannot be the Church of saints. Thus, the Church of Christ is the Church of saints.

If the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church is the Church of saints, then why is the invisible Church of the elect needed? Who are these chosen ones? Who can call those saints who have not yet emerged from the arena victorious and crowned with glory? Who can be called blessed before the end comes?

Secondly, they sin against the very meaning of the name Church, dividing it in two, visible and invisible, while the concept of Church means only the visible.

If they believe that the Church remains undivided because the members are not visible Church are at the same time members of the visible and because the visible Church is included in the invisible, then the question arises of how the Church of the imperfect, that is, sinners, can contain the Church of the perfect in its bosom? If the visible Church of the imperfect, those who are not saints, gives birth to holy children, then how is it deprived of holiness? If the members of the Protestant “community of saints” do not come from the children of the visible Church, then what is the visible Church for? To avoid controversy and be consistent, those who believe in the “community of saints,” would have to stop believing in a visible Church, stop using the term “Church.” Then they would not have sinned against the concept of the Church and would not have uttered paradoxical things, in one case believing in the Church, and in another denying it.

For if the members of the invisible Church do not come from the visible Church, but are mysteriously united in God by faith in Christ alone, then in whom the Savior acts and on whom the Holy Spirit descends, who becomes holy and perfect, why then, the question arises, visible The Church, since it does not contribute in any way to unification and perfection in Christ the Savior? Why then the name “Church,” if its members are isolated from each other and do not know each other, if they do not form a single organic whole, an indissoluble union in the full sense of the word?

The truth is that those who admit the existence of some kind of invisible Church completely reject the concept of a visible Church. And in order to avoid final dismemberment, they allow some form of Church, like a meeting, uniting their followers to glorify God and listen to sermons. But all this is not at all the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, which we confess in the sacred Creed. They constitute a collection of followers of the Lord who believe in Him without a preliminary and truly regenerating bath in the font, without the true achievement of holiness and perfection. Unless, of course, their visible Church is the Church of the imperfect, while the other, invisible, is the Church of the perfect, existing only in their imagination.

It is contradictory to call the invisible Church the Assembly of Saints - a collection of the elect who do not know each other and who are not united by an organic connection into a single whole. For:

1. How can those who have never gathered together imagine a meeting?

2. How can the Church, made up of individuals, be invisible?

The Church and the invisible are two contradictory, or rather opposite concepts.

In the first case, they consider the Assembly, the Church, which means something visible, something that has not yet been united, and in the second, they contradict themselves, calling it visible.

The “Community of Saints” does not exist and cannot exist. It does not exist because the One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, indivisible and visible, is composed of those who are reborn in it. Anything that is both visible and invisible does not exist.

Those who have not been reborn by the grace of God, acting in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, do not constitute any Church, neither visible nor invisible.

The so-called Protestant Church is an exclusively abstract concept. It is devoid of divine principle, divine and historical authority. It is completely related only to human ideas and actions and does not have an unchanging, stable character. If Protestants regard the visible Church they constitute as a Holy Congregation, why then does the invisible Church exist? And again the question arises, how do those who compose it turn out to be saints when, by their own definition, man has become completely perverted after the Fall? Who confirmed to them their rebirth, their holiness, their reconciliation and fellowship with God? Who proved to them that the grace of Christ operates in them? Who testified to them about the descent of the Holy Spirit on them, about the abundance of divine gifts?

All this is not false; without a doubt, it is given only in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Anyone who is reborn in it receives complete confidence in his communication with God.

Credibility and Authority of the Church

As a divine institution, the Church is guided by the Holy Spirit; He abides in it and makes it an immutable dogmatic rule, “the pillar and foundation of the Truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). It is the Church that preserves the purity and immutability of the apostolic teaching. She alone can lead to the truth, be the only immutable judge capable of speaking out about the saving truths of the teaching revealed to us by God. The One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, represented by all its ministers at the Ecumenical Councils, is the only true judge, the only and natural guardian, standing guard over the divinely inspired teaching. The Church alone decides the question of the reliability and authority of Holy Scripture. She alone guarantees and carefully guards within her bosom the Tradition and apostolic teaching pure and unchangeable. She alone can confirm, explain and formulate truths, being guided by the Holy Spirit. Only the Church leads those who believe in him to Christ and gives them a correct understanding of the Holy Scriptures. She alone protects her children on their path to salvation. She alone confidently leads them to salvation. Only in her alone do believers gain firm confidence in the truths they believe in and in the salvation of their souls. Outside the Church, this Noah's Ark, there is no salvation. The Confession of St. Dositheos says that we believe that the Holy Spirit enlightens the Church, for He is the true Paraclete, whom Christ sends from the Father to teach the Truth and drive out darkness from the souls of believers.

Without the authority of the Church there is nothing stable, indisputable, reliable for salvation. Only the authority of the Church preserves the apostolic heritage pure and unsullied; only through him are the truths of the apostolic preaching conveyed pure and unsullied. Without the authority of the Church, the content of faith may be subject to distortion, and the apostolic preaching will turn into vain. Without the visible Church created by God there can be no connection between the members of any community that is not the Body of Christ, for the Body of Christ is His Church, of which He is the Head. Without the Church, no one can unite with the Body of Christ; no one can become a member of Christ unless he is reborn and becomes a participant in the grace that abides in the Church.

Protestants who define the Church as an invisible society, a collection of the elect, saints, a society of faith and the Holy Spirit, in which the Savior supposedly acts, excommunicate themselves from God's grace distributed by the Church to which they do not belong.

Those who deny the visible Church of Christ also deny the nature of the Church, that is, its concrete character, which makes it a divine institution on earth, in which the redemptive work of the Savior continuously continues.

Those who like to call themselves members of the invisible society of saints, consisting of the saints of the whole earth, known only to God, who believe that through a purely theoretical faith in the Savior they become participants in the Holy Spirit, who think that the Savior creates their salvation without the mediation of what He created Church, he is mistaken, for “extra ecclesiam nulla salus.”1 Outside the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church there is no salvation. This Church is visible, it is not just a collection of people who believe in Christ. She is a divine institution. She was entrusted the preservation of the truths revealed to us by God. In it, the redemption of man is carried out. In it, man communicates with God and becomes a Child of God. 1 Outside the Church there is no salvation (lat.).

Protestants who left the visible Church of Christ and created their own “communities of saints” sin against the fundamental character of the Church. They consider faith to be self-sufficient for salvation. They interpret the work of the atonement as a theological theory capable of saving those who study it or accept it. However, the work of atonement is not just a theological theory. This is a mystical act performed in the visible Church of Christ. This is precisely the work that brings salvation, which makes believers partakers of the Holy Spirit. Outside the Church there is no theoretical faith, no society leading to communion with God. The Savior said: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” It was the Lord who erected the visible altar of the Church. That is why, together with theory, He demands an act, an act in agreement with the truth that He communicated to His Holy Church, the only one leading into Life, the Head of which is Christ Himself. We must submit to her, it is from her that we must learn the Truth and receive salvation. She alone is the pillar and affirmation of the Truth, for the Spirit, the Paraclete, eternally abides in her. St. Dositheus says the following regarding the Church: “We must unshakably believe in Scripture, but not otherwise than in accordance with the teaching of the Catholic Church.” Heretics, of course, accept the Holy Scripture, but they distort it with metaphors, homonymy, and sophisms of human wisdom that confuses what is not confused and plays out what cannot be played out. If we had to daily accept the opinions of one or the other, the Catholic Church would not be what it, by the grace of Christ, has remained to this day, maintaining a single point of view regarding faith and believing unshakably in the same thing. In this case, it would be torn apart by many heresies and would no longer be the Holy Church, the pillar and affirmation of the Truth, spotless and pure. It would become the Church of the deceitful, the Church of heretics who, having formed in it, would then discard it without any remorse. Therefore, we believe that the testimony of the Catholic Church is not inferior to the authority of Holy Scripture. They are both the work of the One and the Same Spirit. A person speaking from himself can sin, err and make mistakes. The Catholic Church never speaks on its own, but speaks through the Spirit of God, the Teacher, who eternally enriches it. She can neither sin, nor be mistaken, nor make mistakes. It is equal to Holy Scripture and has an immutable and permanent authority.”

St. Cyril of Jerusalem bequeaths: to love learning and to learn from the Church which books of the Old and New Testaments are accepted by all. Because why waste time on those books that are doubtful. According to him, one should read twenty-two books of the Old Testament, translated by seventy teachers.”

Behind the words of St. Kirill stands for the authority of the Church. At the Council of Constantinople in 1672, Patriarch Dionysius said regarding the infallibility of the Church: “We say that she is infallible, guided by her own Head, Christ, and enlightened by the Spirit of Truth. Therefore she cannot be wrong; That is why it is called by the apostle the Pillar and Establishment of the Truth. It is visible and will never leave the Orthodox until the end of time.”

Introduction to the Song of Divine Love

Since God is by nature infinite and inaccessible, the desire of the saints to unite with God is never fully fulfilled. He who seeks God is in constant motion, in growth, constantly ascending to heaven. This great desire for God was inherent in the Apostle Paul, who wrote: stretching forward, I press toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God... (Phil. 3:13-14).

The same desire for God possessed the mentor of the monastics - St. Anthony the Great; every day his desire and love grew so much that he could say about himself: “I no longer fear God, because I love Him.”

The more a holy person is overwhelmed by desire and love for God, the stronger his feeling that he has nothing. The higher he ascends to the heights of love, the stronger his feeling that his love for God is weaker than that of anyone else. The infinite and desirable beauty of God is not available human understanding, The infinite does not fit into the finite. Therefore, God reveals Himself in the human soul gradually and accustoms it to seek Him, desire Him and enjoy Him. Then the soul rushes upward, towards divine beauty, in order to completely embrace it and contain it within itself. Without reaching it, the soul believes that what it seeks is somewhere much further, much higher, that it is much more desirable than what it has achieved and what it has contained within itself. The soul is surprised, amazed, it is filled with divine desire.

In the language of saints, the word “desire” refers to objects or persons that are absent, and the word “zeal” refers to those that are present. Being by nature invisible and immaterial, God is Desired and Desired, but at the same time, being Omnipresent, revealing Himself in His energies, He is Zeal for those who turn out to be worthy of Him.

Song of Divine Love

Care is God's gift. It is given to the innocent soul by the grace of God visiting it and revealing itself to it.

No one’s divine zeal arises without divine revelation. A soul that has not received revelation is not under the influence of grace and remains insensitive to divine love.

Those who love God are moved towards divine love by the grace of God, which is revealed to the soul and acts in a purified heart. It is grace that draws them to God.

He who is overwhelmed with the love of God was first loved by God. Only after this did he fall in love with God. He who loved God was first the son of love, and then he loved the Heavenly Father.

The heart of a loving God never sleeps; it is awake because of its great love...

When a person sleeps out of natural need, his heart is awake, sending praise to God.

A heart wounded by divine zeal does not seek anything beyond the Highest Good; it turns away from everything, feels complete indifference to everything.

The soul, overwhelmed by the love of God, delights in the words of God and is blissful in His tabernacles. She lifts up her voice to tell of the wonders of God and to proclaim the glory of God and His greatness.

She glorifies God and praises Him incessantly.

She serves Him diligently.

Divine zeal completely takes possession of such a soul, changes it and assimilates it to Himself. The soul that loves God comprehends God, and this comprehension ignites its divine zeal.

The soul that loves God is blessed, for it has met the Divine Judge who has fulfilled its desires.

She completely rejects every desire, every feeling, every impulse alien to the love of God, as something despicable and unworthy of it.

Oh, how greatly the soul that loves God ascends into heaven with divine love, carried by the love of God! Like a light cloud, this love takes possession of the soul and carries it to the eternal source of love, to inexhaustible love, filling it with unquenchable light.

The soul wounded by divine care rejoices unceasingly. She experiences rejoicing, she trembles with joy, she plays before God, for she abides in the peace of the Lord’s love, as on the surface of still waters.

No sadness in this world can disturb her peace and tranquility, no sadness can deprive her of joy and rejoicing.

Love lifts the soul that loves God to heaven. Amazed, she feels detached from her bodily feelings, from her body itself.

Completely surrendering herself to God, she forgets herself.

Divine zeal communicates an easy closeness to God; ease imparts boldness, boldness imparts taste, and taste imparts hunger.

The soul wounded by divine care is no longer able to think about anything else or want anything.

She continually sighs and says: “Lord, when will I come to You and when will I see Your face? My soul wants to come to You, God, like a deer striving for a source.”

Such is the divine zeal that captivates the soul.

Oh love, true and constant!

O love, likeness to the image of God!

Oh, love, the quiet delight of my soul!

Oh love, the divine fullness of my heart!

Oh, love, continuous contemplation of my spirit!

You forever possess my soul, you surround it with care and warmth.

You revive her and elevate her to divine love.

You fill my heart and inflame it with divine love, you revive my desire for the Supreme Judge.

With your life-giving power you strengthen the strength of my soul; you make it capable of rendering divine love its due service.

You take possession of my spirit and deliver it from earthly bonds.

You free him so that he can ascend unhindered into heaven to divine love.

You are the most valuable treasure of believers, the most desired gift of divine charisms.

You are the godlike radiance of my soul and heart.

You are the one who makes believers into children of God.

You are the adornment of the believers and you honor your friends.

You are the only truly constant, for you are eternal.

You are a luxurious robe lovers of God who in these robes appear before divine love.

You are a pleasant delight, for you are the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

You bring sanctified believers into the Kingdom of Heaven.

You are the captivating fragrance of the believers.

Through you, believers partake of heavenly bliss.

Through you, the light of the spiritual sun rises in the soul.

Through you, the spiritual eyes of believers are opened.

Through you, believers participate in divine glory and eternal life.

Through you, a thirst for heaven is born in us.

It is you who restore the Kingdom of God on earth.

It is you who spread peace among people.

You make it so that the earth becomes like the sky.

It is you who connect people with angels.

It is you who lifts our singing to God.

You are the winner in everything.

It is you who is above everything.

It is you who truly controls the universe.

It is you who wisely guide the world.

You are the one who carries and stores everything.

Oh love, the fullness of my heart!

O love, sweetest image of sweetest Jesus.

Oh, love, the sacred seal of the disciples of the Lord.

O love, symbol of the sweetest Jesus.

Conquer my heart with your desire.

Fill it with blessings, goodness and rejoicing.

Make it the abode of the Holy Spirit.

Kindle it with divine flame, so that its pitiful passions will burn out and it will be illuminated, singing your unceasing praise.

Fill my heart with the tenderness of your love, so that I love only the sweetest Jesus, Christ my Lord, and so that I sing to Him an endless song with all my soul, with all my heart, with all my strength, with all my spirit. Amen!

Topar, voice 1st.

The branch of Silivria and the guardian of Aegina, who appeared in the last summer, the virtues of a sincere friend, Nectarius, we honor the faithfulness, as a divine servant of Christ: for he sharpens the many different goals with good news. Glory to Christ who glorified you, glory to Him who gave you miracles of grace, glory to Him who heals you all.

Akathist

Kontakion 1

Chosen Metropolitan Nectarius of Pentapolis and Wonderworker of Aegina, we bring these petitions for our sick relatives: for you have appeared as a healer of cancer ulcers and other ailments, bestowing grace upon the whole universe, for this sake with one mouth and one heart we sing to you everlastingly: Rejoice, Nektarios, to the Bishop of God.

Ikos 1

Having found a guardian angel in holy baptism, from your youth you desired the life of an equal to the angels, our Father Nektarios; Now, with the Angels, enjoy the vision of the Glory of God, pray to the Lord of all Angels for those who sing: Rejoice, blessed fruit of married parents; Rejoice, sanctified by God from your mother's womb. Rejoice, you who learned obedience from childhood; Rejoice, having studied the Scriptures from your youth. Rejoice, animated book of God’s words; Rejoice, living tablet of love for God. Rejoice, chosen by God for meekness and humility; Rejoice, you who left your spiritual home for the sake of teaching. Rejoice, for for your sake the storm on the sea has calmed down; Rejoice, for with your belt the broken mast was strengthened. Rejoice, young eagle, possessing wings of mental prayer; Rejoice, Helen, seeking sources of repentance. Rejoice, Nektarios, Bishop of God.

Kontakion 2

Seeing you praying in the air, a certain monk became very fearful, God-loving; You, hiding the gift of prayer, sealed the virgin’s lips with an oath and sang in your heart to the Lord: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

You have acquired the mind of Christ through prayer, Saint Nektarios, in order to understand that there is the will of God, good, acceptable and perfect; Teach us, in every place, to raise our hands to God without anger and doubt, so that you may receive from us praise: Rejoice, thou who instigated ascension in the vale of tears; Rejoice, you who grow the fruits of the Spirits. Rejoice, child of Mount Athos; Rejoice, key of the Jesus Prayer. Rejoice, shining light of ancient piety; Rejoice, city of the Holy Trinity. Rejoice, overshadowed by grace; Rejoice, fiery Cherub. Rejoice, salt of the promised land; Rejoice, you who sowed with tears, reaped with joy. Rejoice, where the shrine of Christ flourishes; Rejoice, for God is good to you. Rejoice, Nektarios, Bishop of God.

Kontakion 3

Endowed with the power of the Most High, Father Nektarios, you have established the power of the words of Christ: in My Kingdom, - That speech, - they neither marry nor encroach, but like Angels in heaven, they sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Having the Most Pure Mother of God in the service of all the heavenly hosts, set you, the saint, like an Angel in the flesh, a singer of Your miracles: but we, Mary’s omophorion above you, fall with fear and love: Rejoice, secret chosen one of the Mother of God; Rejoice, Her command to the executor. Rejoice, having received the spirit of meekness from the Pure Dove; Rejoice, thou who glorified the Ever-Virgin in spiritual songs. Rejoice, teach to please heaven and earth to the Queen; Rejoice, having gained mercy from the Son through the prayers of Mother. Rejoice, standard of righteousness and wisdom; Rejoice, the height of reasoning and the depth of humility. Rejoice, Aegina krine, nectar of repentance; Rejoice, bee of Eden, who supplies us with the honey of theology. Rejoice, world-maker, pouring out myrrh; Rejoice, cup of spiritual washing. Rejoice, Nektarios, Bishop of God.

Kontakion 4

Having a cancerous ulcer bleeding on my chest, the priest of your temple, Nektarios, was dismayed when you appeared to kiss him, as if in the flesh; Having received healing, who was invisible to you, cried out to God with tears: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Having heard many things about the wondrous healing that you did during your life, when you were always serving the holy Liturgy in the country of Canada, you appeared in Dus, the miracle worker Nektarios, and you raised up a certain weakened man, calling him to the Chalice; The same health was achieved, the weight of Aegina reached and, seeing you in the flesh, you cried out loudly: Rejoice, hospitable doctor, praise to Greece; Rejoice, thou who has gained glory from St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Rejoice, treasury of goodness; Rejoice, good Samaritan. Rejoice, enriched with the gift of miracles; Rejoice, visiting humble people. Rejoice, console us with true miracles; Rejoice, for what is impossible for others is possible for you. Rejoice, for you turn our sorrows into joy; Rejoice, you wipe away tears from our eyes. Rejoice, demon-possessed liberator; Rejoice, healer of cancerous ulcers. Rejoice, Nektarios, Bishop of God.

Kontakion 5

You have risen, Father, as a God-bearing star of repentance over the universe, sending out rays of contrition for human iniquities; Enlighten our minds to see our sin, so that we may propitiate the Master by singing: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Seeing the pure youth of her Bishop, standing before God in the grace of soul and body, and recognizing in him the great man of prayer and wonderworker, according to the cry of Saint Nektarios: Rejoice, habitual dwelling of Christ; Rejoice, wondrous treasure of the Spirit. Rejoice, royal priesthood of the Great Bishop; Rejoice, called to the Throne of the Eternal King. Rejoice, fellow body of the Flesh of Christ; Rejoice, communicant of the Holy Blood. Rejoice, herald of repentance; Rejoice, I intercede for us before God. Rejoice, Nektarios, joyful angels; Rejoice, flame, burn up the demons. Rejoice, abyss of generosity; Rejoice, sea of ​​glorious miracles. Rejoice, Nektarios, Bishop of God.

Kontakion 6

Preacher of the One Good, Blessed Nektarios, having humbled himself under the strong hand of God, He exalted you; in the passionate sea, do not forget your children, but set me on the burden of humility, so that they may magnify your God, singing: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

Having shone forth in the light of the beatitudes of Christ, you have shone from degree to degree, O god-wise Nectarius: by meekness and peace, by abstinence and love, you have enlightened your soul, so that now you hear from us: Rejoice, thou who wearest the robe of humility; Rejoice, covering insults with forgiveness. Rejoice, rejoice in the abundance of the world; Rejoice, inherit the land of the meek. Rejoice, vial of repentant lamentation; Rejoice, mirror of purity of heart. Rejoice, saturated with the name of Jesus; Rejoice, thou filled with the waters of the Scriptures. Rejoice, you who have announced mercy and judgment; Rejoice, having abolished enmity through love. Rejoice, thou pious in life; Rejoice, persecuted for the sake of righteousness. Rejoice, Nektarios, Bishop of God.

Kontakion 7

Although the man of God was perfect in being, Nectarius the righteous, you chose the path of the immaculate: on the island of Eginstem, the sea of ​​life, like in an ark, swimming, victorious, you sang to the Lord: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

You have appeared as a great teacher of the New Testament, preaching the word of God through your life: for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but as the ruler of the darkness of this world. We, being able to help in the Lord, cry out to you, the power of Nektarios: Rejoice, good warrior of Jesus Christ; Rejoice, spiritual plague of wickedness in high places. Rejoice, having received all the weapons of God; Rejoice, you who have girded your loins with truth. Rejoice, for your noses are red with the gospel of peace; Rejoice, for the helmet of salvation is established on your face. Rejoice, shield of faith, with which the faithful are protected: Rejoice, thou double-edged sword that destroys heresies. Rejoice, conqueror, eat from the tree of life; Rejoice, man of God, stranger to the second death. Rejoice, witness of the true faith; Rejoice, heavenly branch of salvation. Rejoice, Nektarios, Bishop of God.

Kontakion 8

A strange perfection has been found in you, as if perfect in love, accessible; perfect our souls with love, O loving Nektarios, so that having reached perfect husbandhood, we sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

You were all in the lower, following humbly, in the highest with God, that is, with Love, abiding; Grant us, O heavenly Nektarios, the knowledge of love, in the hedgehog's throat: Rejoice, for you were made a captive of the love of God; Rejoice, for you have captivated your children with love. Rejoice, bending your neck under the yoke of Savior; Rejoice, you who bear the burdens of your neighbors. Rejoice, rooted in love; Rejoice, established in mercy. Rejoice, thou who understand the breadth and length of the Cross; Rejoice, comprehend the height and depth of the Tree. Rejoice, wiser of love, surpassing understanding; Rejoice, receptacle of the fullness of God. Rejoice, keep in your mind what is true, righteous and honest; Rejoice, love with your heart, most pure, kindly praised and most loving. Rejoice, Nektarios, Bishop of God.

Kontakion 9

Every angelic and human nature was amazed at the image, great Nectarius, revealed in you: for in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, but a new creation, singing to the Redeemer of creation: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

The prophets who spoke many things fell silent, O holy Father Nektarios, marveling at your life, how holy you were, calling yourself a sinner; You were spiritual, taken from the earthy earth: after death you were exalted, while during your life you descended in mind to hell; We, with open lips, cry out like children: Rejoice, O leader, who exalted the faith; Rejoice, lips that have put to shame godlessness. Rejoice, eye enlightened by the knowledge of God; Rejoice, right hand, strengthened by His power. Rejoice, thou who humblest arrogant minds; Rejoice, destroyer of proud hearts. Rejoice, you who showed strength in weakness; Rejoice, you who found joy in tears. Rejoice, dead and alive; Rejoice, earthly and heavenly. Rejoice, pea seed of the belly; Rejoice, mature class of the Resurrection. Rejoice, Nektarios, Bishop of God.

Kontakion 10

To save your soul, like a virgin, you have betrothed that one to one Bridegroom; now having entered into the bride of Christ from the faces of the virgins, Nectarius is more glorious, sing the song: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

You are a wall to all those who come running to you, most praiseworthy Nektarios, for you have the grace to heal the weak and raise us to a heavenly inheritance: then, heal us, your children, and lead us into the Kingdom of Christ, so that with all our souls we say to you: Rejoice, elder of grace; Rejoice, wonderful guide for young people. Rejoice, innocent shepherd of innocent sheep; Rejoice, wise collector of virgin pearls. Rejoice, spiritual nourisher of the universe; Rejoice, fiery servant of the Eucharist. Rejoice, voice of the humble Christ; Rejoice, the word of the creative Spirit. Rejoice, thou skilled in patience; Rejoice, purified by sorrows. Rejoice, champion of God's truth; Rejoice, heir of Christ's glory. Rejoice, Nektarios, Bishop of God.

Kontakion 11

You brought the singing of the Mother of God, servant of God, calling the Mother of Light the Virgin, but now you are completely enlightened by the understanding of the mystery of the incarnation, raising the voice to the mountain: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

With the light of Divine glory, we see you, Nektarios, in the devil of glory: enlighten the robe of our souls with the Trinity radiance, so that we sing to you unceasingly: Rejoice, precious stone of the Tsar’s diadems; Rejoice, lightning of Nosimago on Seraphimex. Rejoice, for the commandment is bright, having enlightened your eyes; Rejoice, for you loved me more than gold and topaz. Rejoice, silver has been kindled, purified by the sevenfold; Rejoice, spiritual harp, Spasov’s harp. Rejoice, having written the name of God into our hearts; Rejoice, love justified the feat of faith. Rejoice, you who bear the sanctity of the Spirit; Rejoice, sanctifying souls corrupted by passions. Rejoice, thou whitest in righteousness, like fine linen; Rejoice, illuminated by the knowledge of the Trinity. Rejoice, Nektarios, Bishop of God.

Kontakion 12

You have multiplied the grace given to you by God, O servant of God, good and faithful Nektarios, so I will also buy us spiritual activity, so that having found interest, we will sing to Christ: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing your miracles, the most wonderful Nectarius, we know that Christ has richly dwelt in you, for this sake bring down His miraculous right hand upon us, saying to yourselves: Rejoice, successor of the ancient fathers; Rejoice, new servant of Christ. Rejoice, beauty of the Great Church; Rejoice, world hope. Rejoice, you who humbled yourself, glorified by God; Rejoice, you who walked among the last, who were placed first. Rejoice, you who know exactly the affairs of the monastery, as the universe knows; Rejoice, stranger to the valley of glory, honored by heavenly reward. Rejoice, you who lay motionless after your death and rise up sick; Rejoice, who has appeared to many, and who has left lamentation for the death. Rejoice, two goldsmiths, monasticism and priesthood, received from God; Rejoice, you who returned gold to Christ with abundance of healing and miracles. Rejoice, Nektarios, Bishop of God.

Kontakion 13

Oh, sacred head, wondrous physician, Bishop of God Nektarios! Accept now the small, but at least warm, prayer of your children, the grace that exists in you who believe. Grant us healing from our ailments and deliver us from eternal destruction, so that we may cry out to Christ our Savior with joy: Alleluia.

(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)

Prayers to Saint Nektarios

First prayer

Oh, myrrh-streaming head, Saint Nektarios, Bishop of God! During the time of the great retreat, you captivated the world with wickedness, you shone with piety and you crushed the head of the proud Dennitsa, who offended us. For this reason, Christ granted the gift of healing the incurable ulcers that have struck us for our iniquities. We believe: may the righteous God love you, for the sake of us sinners He will have mercy on you, forgive you from oaths, deliver you from illness, and throughout the entire universe His name, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, will be fearful and glorious, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Second prayer

Oh, Saint Nektarios, God-wise Father! Receive, guardian of the Orthodox faith, the confession from the lips of people named after Christ, gathered today in the temple by the grace of God living in you. The news has reached the Russian borders, as you, the great servant of Christ among the saints, appear to those who call upon your name in all corners of the universe and grant healing from cancer. We have heard about the priest who was your namesake and built a temple in your name with great sorrow. He was stricken with a cancerous chest ulcer, bleeding every day, and suffered fiercely, but did not abandon his holy work. Suddenly you, the Saint with great mercy, descended from heaven, and you appeared to him in the temple in a visible form. He is the one who is not aware of your fellow mortal being, asking for your prayers and saying: “I am sick, I am great, otherwise I want to restore the holy altar, so that once again I will perform the holy Liturgy together with the parishioners; I am ready to die afterwards; death does not frighten me.” You, father, are incorporeal, your face is wet with tears! and the volume of the sufferer, kissing and saying: “Do not grieve, my child, as if you have been tested by illness, you will be healthy. Everyone knows about this miracle.” He, having been healed, was, in your mind, with whom you were talking, invisible to you. Oh, great servant of Christ Nectarius! This temple is now complete, and your miracles are like an overflowing sea, multiplying! We know that the prayer of the righteous must be hastened by our zeal for the service of God and the determination to die for Christ, so that we may find health. Your sick child prays to you, righteous father: may God’s will be done to us, good, pleasing and perfect, not wanting the sinner to die, but to turn and live for him. You, the herald of God’s will, heal us with your grace-filled appearance, may God be great in heaven and on earth forever and ever! Amen.

Saint Nektarios of Aegina (secular name: Anastasios Kephalas) was born into a large poor family, not far from Constantinople, in Selybria Thracia, on October 1, 1846.

Despite numerous financial difficulties, his parents honored and glorified God, thanked Him for the mercies sent down, trusted in His will and kept the commandments.

Anastasius was the fifth child of Dimos and Vasilika Kefalas. Meanwhile, there was enough parental affection, love and attention for everyone. From an early age, children were accustomed to spiritual literature and prayer, including prayer chants.

Anastasy himself, as a child, loved to listen to sermons in church, which he then carefully wrote down when he came home. In addition, he loved to read the Lives of Saints. He wanted to get a good religious education, but due to lack of funds, his family could not send him to study in the city, and therefore, after graduating from primary school, he continued to stay in the village for some time.

When Anastasius was 14 years old, he managed to persuade the captain of a ship heading to Constantinople to take him on board. Arriving in Constantinople, he managed to get a job in a tobacco shop. The salary was low: there was barely enough money for meager food. Anastasius prayed a lot, and this kept him from despair.

One day, when both clothes and shoes became completely unusable, he decided to write and send a message to Christ Himself. Having informed the Redeemer about his needs, on the envelope, where the addressee and address were to be named, he indicated: to the Lord Jesus Christ in Heaven. One of the merchants, meeting him on the way to the post office and looking at him bare feet, undertook to personally send the letter. But when, a little later, he looked at the envelope and saw who exactly the message was intended for, he was very surprised, could not resist and familiarized himself with its contents. Taking pity on Anastasius, he himself sent him money on behalf of God.

After some time, Anastasy found a job at the courtyard of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, as a caretaker at a school. Here he was able to continue his studies.

In 1866, he decided to visit his relatives. While traveling on a ship, a gust of strong storm wind broke the mast and almost broke it. As the storm continued, Anastasius fervently prayed to God for salvation. The journey ended well.

Some time later, Anastasius received a position as a school teacher in the village of Lifi, located on the island of Chios. He worked there for several years, combining teaching with Gospel preaching. During his stay on the island, he formed a good choir from his students, with which he then sang in the local church.

During this period, he became more and more inclined to think about monasticism.

Monastic life

In 1875, by the Providence of God, Anastasius entered the monastery of Neo Moni. Having passed the test and temptation, he was tonsured as a monk and received a new name: Lazarus. For some time, within the framework of monastic obedience, he performed the duties of a secretary.

In 1877, Lazarus was tonsured into the mantle with the name Nektarios and elevated to the rank of hierodeacon.

Soon, with the assistance of a wealthy benefactor, Father Nektarios met the Patriarch of Alexandria, and then, with his blessing, entered the University of Athens at the Faculty of Theology. He successfully graduated in 1885.

Life in Alexandria

After graduating from the faculty, Father Nektary went to Alexandria. Work and prayer contributed to his spiritual ascent; proximity to the Patriarch of Alexandria - climbing the hierarchical ladder.

In March 1886, Nektary was ordained a priest and assigned to serve in the Cathedral of St. Sava. A few months later he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite.

For some time he worked in the Patriarchal Secretariat, and then was appointed to the place of the Patriarch's representative in Cairo.

Episcopal ministry

In January 1889, Father Nektarios, having been chosen from among several candidates, was awarded the consecration as Bishop of Pentapolis.

As often happens in life, Nektarios’s rise met with active resistance from a number of his opponents.

Some thought that, thanks to his connections, he was building his career too quickly, some believed that he should have been in his place, others were simply jealous. One way or another, they began to intrigue against Bishop Nektary. They didn’t even disdain slander. Patriarch Sophrony was old by that time, and it was difficult for him to cope with the influx of endless accusations organized against his ward.

Ultimately, in 1890, Bishop Nektary was relieved of his position and removed from his see.

As a concession, he was allowed to live in his previous apartment, share a common priestly meal, and perform religious services, but he was forbidden to visit cities that were under the care of the Patriarch without special permission.

Opal

Soon, in accordance with another order from above, the saint nevertheless left Egypt, accepting exile with humility.

Just before his departure, he received a gratifying written appeal, signed by more than nine hundred believers. They spoke with gratitude about his activities at the metropolitan see, ardently regretted what happened and asked to remember them, sinners, in prayers.

Activities in Athens

At first, after the saint’s arrival in Athens, he, as a disgraced clergyman, and, moreover, who did not have Greek citizenship, was treated with great caution, to say the least. For this reason, he not only could not find proper use for himself, but often even his daily bread.

After repeated attempts to reach, if not the heart, then at least the door of the office of the Minister of Religious Affairs, he nevertheless paid attention to this matter and made a corresponding request to the Greek consulate in Cairo. The answer contained a positive review of the saint, at the same time testifying to him as a victim of intrigue.

In turn, Saint Nektarios himself, who previously preferred to remain silent and not seek public justifications, wrote to the Patriarch and explained to him his vision of the situation.

In the end, with the personal intervention of the mayor, who learned about this story, he managed to find a place for himself as a preacher.

True, at first, even in this place, he met people who were unkindly disposed towards him: the influence of rumors, formed on the basis of the same slander, had an effect. The saint even thought about resigning his position: the distrust shown to him was so high. But later, with the help of God, the situation changed. The people saw in him a zealous and virtuous servant. And this living, heartfelt impression of the citizens could no longer be spoiled by false gossip.

Soon the rumor about the pious preacher became widespread and reached the ears of those in power. As a result, he was entrusted with heading the theological school located in the center of Athens.

By the time Bishop Nektariy took charge of this educational institution, it was in a state of decline. The saint's good organizational qualities, creative initiative, and high sense of responsibility made it possible to turn the situation around for the better, increase the overall level of discipline, and improve the educational process.

Attempt to renew relations with the Church of Alexandria

In 1899, after the death of Patriarch Sophronius of Alexandria, Bishop Nektarios made an attempt to resolve the long-standing issue. In Greece he was taken for a temporary bishop, while the Orthodox of Egypt were ready to see him in the place of the deceased Sophronius. Nektarios himself did not seek to occupy the orphaned see, but wanted clarity in determining his canonical status.

When Photius ascended the Patriarchal Throne of Alexandria in 1902, Saint Nektarios addressed him with a message, expressing hope for assistance in resolving the long-standing issue. But Patriarch Photius never answered him. Then the saint turned to Patriarch Joachim of Constantinople, asking him to judge the matter. But that didn't help either.

Aegina Monastery

In 1904 the saint arrived in Aegina. By this time, under his pastoral leadership there were several girls who wanted to become monastics, but did not want to leave his spiritual guidance. And the saint wanted to find a place for organizing a monastic community.

In Xanthos, not far from the port of Aegina, he discovered ancient monastery ruins, where, according to legend, Saint Anastasia of Aegina labored. In addition to the ruins, he found there a lonely pious old woman who looked after the temple and who told him that she had previously seen him in a dream as the restorer of the monastery.

Using the funds of benefactors, to which he, of course, added his meager savings, Bishop Nektary bought the ruins, restored the church, rebuilt the monastery, and dedicated it to the Most Holy Trinity. Construction lasted several years and was completed in 1914.

While remaining in Athens and continuing to direct the theological school, Saint Nektarios constantly corresponded with his spiritual children, the novices of the monastery. In addition, he took care of their daily needs, helping as much as he could.

In 1908 he finally moved to the Aegina Monastery. After his resignation, the bishop was relieved of his duties as head of the school in Athens and he was assigned a monthly pension of three hundred drachmas.

From that time on, he conducted regular classes in Dogmatics, Asceticism, and Ethics for novices and nuns. When necessary, he answered their private questions, consoled, inspired, and spiritually strengthened them.

Towards the end of his life, Saint Nektarios suffered from illness. When he was taken to the hospital, he was placed in a more than modest ward among the poor. Last days During his earthly life he suffered a lot, but at the same time he thanked God. His death occurred on November 8, 1920.

Troparion to Saint Nektarios of Aegina, tone 4

Having lived venerably, like a wise hierarch,/ you glorified the Lord/ with your virtuous life, Venerable Nektarios./ Moreover, you glorified the Comforter with your power,/ with your Divine powers,/ you drove away demons and healed the sick,// through faith you came.

Troparion, tone 1

The branch of Silivria and the guardian of Aegina, who appeared in the last summer of the virtues of our sincere friend, Nektarios, we honor, faithfully, as the divine servant of Christ: for the many different goals are sharpened by those who piously cry out: glory to Christ who glorified you, glory to Him who gave grace to you miracles, glory to Him who works healing for you all.

Kontakion, voice 2

Divine thunder, spiritual trumpet, faith-planter and cutter of heresies, saint of the Trinity, great saint Nektarios, with the angels standing ever before, pray unceasingly for all of us.

Prayer to Saint Nektarios, the Wonderworker of Aegina

Oh, Saint Nektarios, God-wise Father! Receive, guardian of the Orthodox faith, the confession from the lips of people named after Christ, gathered today in the temple by the grace of God living in you. The news has reached the Russian borders, as you, the great servant of Christ in the saints, appear to those who call on your name in all corners of the universe and grant healing from cancer.

We have heard about the priest, your namesake, who built a temple in your name, with great sorrow. I was stricken with a cancerous chest ulcer, bleeding every day, and I suffered fiercely; but you do not abandon your holy work.

Suddenly you, O most merciful Saint, descended from heaven and appeared to him in the temple in a visible form. He, the unseeing thy brother, is alone from mortals, asking for your prayers and saying: “I am a great one, otherwise I want to restore the holy altar, so that once again I will perform the holy liturgy together with the parishioners; I am ready to die for the last time; death does not frighten me.”

You, father, are incorporeal, your face is wet with tears! and the volume of the sufferer, kissing and saying: “Do not grieve, my child, as if you have been tested by illness, you will be healthy. Everyone knows about this miracle.” He, having been healed, was in his mind, with whom you were talking, invisible to you. Oh, great servant of Christ Nectarius! This temple is now complete and your miracles are like an overflowing sea, multiplying! We know that the prayer of the righteous should be hastened by our zeal for the service of God and I resolve to die for Christ, so that we may find health. Your sick child prays to you, righteous father: may God’s will be done to us, good, pleasing and perfect, not wanting the sinner to die, but to turn and live for him.

You, the herald of God’s will, heal us with your grace-filled appearance, may God be great in heaven and on earth forever and ever! Amen.

Saint Nektarios, one of the most revered Orthodox saints of Greece, and an unknown saint to many in the Russian Church.

On October 1, 1846, in the Turkish village of Silivria (a suburb of Istanbul), their fifth child was born to Dimos and Vasilika Kefalas. At baptism the boy received the name Anastasy. Pious parents raised their children in the love of God: from an early age they taught their children prayer chants and read spiritual literature to them. Anastasia liked the 50th Psalm most of all; he loved to repeat the words many times: “I will teach the wicked in Your way, and the wicked will turn to You.”

Anastasy dreamed of receiving a Christian education, but after finishing primary school, he was forced to stay in his native village, since the family did not have money to send him to study in the city. When Anastasius was fourteen years old, he begged the captain of a ship en route to Constantinople to take him with him...

In Constantinople, the young man managed to get a job in a tobacco store. Here Anastasy, true to his dream of spiritually helping his neighbor, began to write sayings of the holy fathers on tobacco pouches and wrappers of tobacco products. It was impossible to eat well on a meager salary, and buying clothes was out of the question. Anastasius, in order not to fall into despondency, prayed incessantly. When his clothes and shoes were worn out, he decided to ask the Lord himself for help. Having described his plight in a letter, he wrote the following address on the envelope: “To the Lord Jesus Christ in Heaven.” On the way to the post office, he met the owner of a neighboring store, who, taking pity on the barefoot young man, offered to carry his letter. Anastasy happily handed him his message. The astonished merchant, seeing the unusual address on the envelope, decided to open the letter, and after reading it, he immediately sent money to Anastasia.

Soon Anastasius managed to get a job as a caretaker at a school at the courtyard of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Here he was able to continue his education.

In 1866, the young man went home to spend the Christmas holidays with his family. During the journey, a storm began. The ship's mast broke, unable to withstand the onslaught of the wind. Everyone was horrified, but Anastasy was not at a loss: he took off his belt, tied his cross to it and pulled down the mast. With one hand he held the mast, with the other he made the sign of the cross and cried out to the Lord: he asked for the salvation of the ship. The young man’s prayer was heard: the ship arrived safely at the port.

Soon Anastasius received a position as a teacher in the village of Lifi on the island of Chios. For seven years Anastasius not only taught, but also preached “the word of God.” In 1876, Anastassy became a monk of the Neo Moni (New Monastery) monastery. On November 7, 1876, Anastassy was tonsured a monk with the name Lazar. On January 15, 1877, Metropolitan Gregory of Chios ordained Lazarus to the rank of deacon, with the new name Nektarios. The young deacon still dreamed of studying; in his daily prayers, he asked the Lord to provide him with this opportunity.

By God's providence, one pious rich Christian offered to pay for the travel and education of the young monk Nektarios. From 1882 to 1885, Deacon Nektary studied at the Faculty of Theology University of Athens. After completing his education, on the recommendation of his benefactor, he moves to Alexandria (Egypt).

On March 23, 1886, Patriarch Saphronius the Fourth ordained Deacon Nektarios as a priest. Father Nektarios receives an appointment to St. Nicholas Church in Cairo. In the same temple he is soon elevated to the rank of archimandrite, and after some time the Patriarch decides to award him the title of Supreme Archimandrite of the Church of Alexandria.

Saint Nektarios of Aegina

On January 15, 1889, Supreme Archimandrite Nektarios was ordained bishop and appointed metropolitan of the Pentapolis Metropolis.

Influential people of the patriarchal court feared that universal love for the saint would lead him to be among the contenders for the place of His Holiness the Patriarch of Alexandria. They slandered the saint. Out of his deepest humility, the righteous man did not even try to justify himself. The saint left Egypt and returned to Athens.

Returning to Athens, Lord Nektarios lived in terrible hardships for seven months. He goes to the authorities in vain, he is not accepted anywhere. The mayor of the city, having learned about the plight in which Vladika Nektarios was, secured for him a position as a preacher in the province of Euboea. The fame of the unusual preacher from the provinces soon reached the capital and the Greek royal palace. Queen Olga, having met the elder, soon became his spiritual daughter. Thanks to the queen, the Bishop is appointed director of the Theological School named after the Risari brothers in Athens.

One day, a school employee who was doing cleaning fell ill and was very worried that he would be fired from his job. A few weeks later, he returned to find that someone had been doing his job all along. It turned out that Vladyka himself secretly cleaned the school so that no one notices the absence of a sick employee.

For his great humility and love for people, Vladyka Nektary was awarded the gifts of the Holy Spirit: insight and the gift of healing.

Among the many spiritual children, several girls gathered near the Bishop who wanted to devote themselves to monastic life. In 1904, Bishop Nektarios founded a nunnery on the island of Aegina. With his own funds, he managed to buy a small plot of land on which there was an abandoned, dilapidated monastery.

Monastery on the island of Aegina

For some time, Elder Nektarios simultaneously led the school and the monastery, but soon he left the school and moved to the island of Aegina. He will spend the last twelve years of his life on this island, which will soon become a place of pilgrimage for many believers. In the meantime, there was a lot of work to be done to restore the monastery... The elder’s spiritual children said that Vladyka did not disdain any kind of work: he planted trees, planted flower beds, removed construction waste, and sewed slippers for the nuns.

The elder’s spiritual children said that thanks to the prayers of Elder Nektarios, not only the situation on the island changed better side(robberies and robberies stopped), but the climate also changed. The peasants more than once turned to the elder for prayerful help during a drought: through the prayer of Lord Nektarios, blessed rain descended on the earth.

According to the nuns, many believers revered the Vladyka as a saint: believers said that they saw him “all glowing” during prayer.

From the memoirs of nun Evangelina, recorded in 1972 by Manolis Melinos: “He was like an incorporeal... He had some kind of special attractiveness. He was all glowing... He had a calm face. And what purity his gaze exuded! Those blue eyes... It seemed that they were talking to you and calling you to the Lord... He was full of love for everyone, he was humble, merciful. He was a man who loved silence."

Elder Nektarios was distinguished not only by endless kindness and love for people and all living things around him, but also by extraordinary simplicity. He served in the monastery as a simple priest, and the bishop's vestments always hung near the icon of the Mother of God. The elder ate very modestly; his main food was beans.

In Greece, Bishop Nektarios also had many enemies and envious people. A lot of young people followed the bishop, especially young girls. One 18-year-old girl asked to join the monastery with the bishop and he accepted her. The mother of that girl wrote a statement to the police that the bishop seduced her daughter, raped her, and killed and buried the unborn baby. The police raided the monastery, and the bishop was not only insulted, but also beaten. No dead babies were found, and the girl, like other young nuns, turned out to be a virgin. Soon, by God's punishment, the mother of the young nun went crazy, and the policeman who beat the bishop became seriously ill and was healed after he arrived at the monastery and, falling at his feet, asked for forgiveness from Bishop Niktarios.

In September 1920, the seventy-year-old man was taken to a hospital in Athens. Vladyka was assigned to a ward for poor terminally ill people. For two months, doctors tried to alleviate the suffering of a seriously ill old man (he was diagnosed with acute inflammation of the prostate gland). Vladyka bravely endured the pain. There is evidence from medical workers that the bandages with which the old man was bandaged exuded an extraordinary aroma.

Lord Nektarios had cancer. Vladyka lay down in a simple hospital room and the doctors did not know that the metropolitan was lying in the room. Only once did the doctor, seeing a nun near him, ask if this man was a monk, and when he learned that it was a bishop, he said with surprise: “ For the first time I see a bishop without a panagia and a golden cross, and most importantly, without money«.

On November 8, 1920, the Lord called to Himself the soul of Lord Nektarios. When they began to change the body of the deceased, his shirt was accidentally placed on the bed of a paralyzed patient lying next to him. A miracle happened: the patient was immediately healed.

From the memoirs of nun Nektaria: “When Vladyka died and he was transported to Aegina, I went too. The coffin was accompanied by many priests, students of the Risarian school, and a mass of people. All of Aegina is out! The flags were at half-staff. Shops and houses were closed... They carried him in their arms. Those who carried the coffin said that then their clothes smelled so fragrant that they reverently hung them in the closets as a shrine and never wore them again... We were all sisters, about ten people were at the coffin and held a box of cotton wool. We constantly wiped the Lord’s forehead, beard and hands – between the fingers. In these places, Miro appeared like moisture through the walls of a jug! This went on for three days and three nights. All the people were sorting out the cotton wool. Myrrh was very fragrant.”

The elder’s spiritual daughter Maria said that while accompanying the elder to last way, put a bouquet of forget-me-nots in his coffin. And when five months later, during the reburial, they opened the coffin, everyone was extremely surprised to see that not only the body and clothes of the righteous man were not subject to decay, but also flowers have retained their freshness.

Marble sarcophagus in which the relics of St. Nektarios were buried until 1961

Many miraculous healings occurred at the grave of Elder Nektarios. It should be noted that the inhabitants of the Greek island of Aegina, through the prayers of the righteous man, were protected during the occupation. After the war, the former German commandant of Athens admitted that military pilots flying out to bomb about. Crete, flying past the island of Aegina, did not see it(and this despite good visibility and lack of clouds).

The Greeks say that for the holy Lord Nektarios there is nothing that cannot be healed; you only need faith in his help. Saint Nektarios of Aegina is the spiritual patron of all cancer patients.

Saint Nektarios saw a vision of angels who sang hymns to the Mother of God. The saint wrote this chant on paper with his own hand.

LITERAL TRANSLATION:

Pure Virgin, Lady, undefiled Mother of God,
Virgin, Mother to the Queen and the All-Irrigated Fleece.
Exceeding the heavens, the brightest [sun] rays,
The joy of the virgin faces, the angels, is supreme.
Shining brighter than the heavens, the purest light.
Most holy of all heavenly hosts.

Mary Ever-Virgin, Lady of the whole world,
Undefiled All-Pure Bride, All-Holy Lady.
Mary the bride of the Ruler, the reason for our joy,
Holy Virgin, Queen, Most Holy Mother,
Most honorable Cherub, most glorified,
Ethereal Seraphim, the highest of Thrones.

Hail, song of the Cherubim, Hail [praise] song of the angels,
Rejoice, song of the Seraphim, joy of the archangels.
Rejoice, peace and joy, harbor of salvation.
The sacred drawing of the Word, the color of incorruption.
Rejoice, Paradise of sweetness and eternal life.
Rejoice, tree of the belly, source of immortality.

I pray to you, Lady, I call upon you now.
I look at You with shame/fear, I seek Your mercy.
Holy and undefiled Virgin, All-Holy Lady,
I warmly appeal to You, O consecrated Temple.
Intercede for me, deliver me from the enemy
And show me an heir to eternal life.

Rejoice, unbridled Bride.

Head of Saint Nektarios

Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to the holy monastery on the island of Aegina to venerate the relics of the saint and ask for help and blessings. November 9 (new style) is celebrated in Greece as the feast day of Saint Nektarios. On this day there is a special crowd here, as a huge number of believers come to take part in the festive service and honor the memory of St. Nektarios.

The island of Aegina lies in the middle of the Saransk Gulf, 30 km away. from the Athens port of Piraeus. The ferry ride to Aegina takes just over an hour. The cost of a ferry ticket is 7 euros. In the port of Aegina, at the exit turn left and after 200 meters there is a bus stop that goes to the Monastery of the Holy Trinity, where the relics of St. Nektarios are located.

Mithras and the head of Saint Nektarios

The main temple of the monastery is the impressive Church of St. Nektarios, built not so long ago. This grandiose building is made in the neo-Byzantine style and is decorated with magnificent mosaics. From the church, a steep staircase leads up the hillside to the monastery complex itself. Here is the Church of the Holy Trinity, the oldest church of the monastery. Nearby, in a small chapel, there is a marble sarcophagus, where the body of Saint Nektarios previously rested, and nearby there is a source of holy water. The monastic cell in which the saint lived the last years of his life has also survived to this day (it is open to visitors). The main shrine of the monastery, undoubtedly, is the head of the saint and his miraculous relics.

Troparion, tone 4
Having lived venerably, like a wise hierarch, / you glorified the Lord / with a virtuous life, Reverend Nektarios. / Moreover, you glorified the Comforter with the power, / with your divine powers, / driving away demons and healing the sick, / by faith you came.

Prayer to Saint Nektarios, Metropolitan of Pentapolis, Wonderworker of Aegina

Oh, myrrh-streaming head, Saint Nektarios, Bishop of God! During the time of the great retreat, you captivated the world with wickedness, you shone with piety and you crushed the head of the proud Dennitsa, who offended us. For this reason, Christ granted the gift of healing the incurable ulcers that have struck us for our iniquities.

We believe: may the righteous God love you, for the sake of us sinners He will have mercy on you, forgive you from oaths, deliver you from illness, and throughout the entire universe His name, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, will be fearful and glorious, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Holy Hierarch Father Nektarios, pray to God for us.

The Monk Nektarios of Aegina was born on October 1, 1846 in Eastern Thrace (then it was Greece, and now a province of Istanbul) and died on November 8, 1920 in a hospital in Athens.

The saint is commemorated on November 22 according to the new style (the day after his death) and on September 3, the anniversary of the transfer of the relics.

One of the most revered saints in Greece

For the Greeks, Saint Nektarios of Aegina is a saint who personifies not only some particular path by which one can achieve holiness, but the Christian life as a whole in all its greatness.

First he suffered poverty, then a well-deserved position as a bishop and veneration, then unjust persecution and poverty again, and then a kind of “rehabilitation”, that is, lifetime veneration among the people, which after his death only continued to grow, so that now he is one of the most beloved saints by the Greeks. And, if you ask the inhabitants of Greece what the experience of Elder Nektarios teaches them, they will answer: love for God, love for people and humility.

Because, indeed, if Saint Nektarios personifies any particular path to holiness, then it is the path of outstanding humility.

At 42 he became metropolitan

To be a metropolitan, especially at 42 years old, already says a lot (as does the fact that not even three years have passed since his ordination to the rank of presbyter). It does not matter that Saint Nektarios became a metropolitan under the Patriarchate of Alexandria, which was then experiencing an acute shortage of clergy. It is important that Vladyka did not cease to be at the same time a simple person, to whom any external manifestations of glory or luxury are alien.

And they were always alien to him. Or rather, they were always unavailable. He was born into a poor large family, which he left while still a young man. Then he lived for some time in Constantinople, where he also experienced great need. Then, at the age of 20, he left for the city of Chios, where he became a teacher, and 10 years later he was tonsured at the Nea Moni monastery, which was known for its ascetic severity. Then - another 10 years later, in 1885, already in Athens - he graduated from the theological faculty of the University of Athens and was sent to Egypt, to a country that was then experiencing an influx of Europeans.

He was remembered as a man who helped whenever he could, and who never lived, as they say, for himself. While still a simple presbyter of the Alexandrian Church, he preached sermons (not only in Cairo, but also in other cities), confessed a lot and for a long time, helped the needy and the sick. He gathered more and more around himself and more people, and more and more people around him changed. And he himself spoke about his position like this: “Dignity does not elevate its owner; virtue alone has the power of exaltation.”

Found himself out of favor with the clergy

It is not easy to be humble when you are praised, but it is even more difficult when you are slandered. The expulsion from Egypt is certainly not the central part of his biography from the point of view of the spiritual path, but the most significant from a human point of view. It demonstrates how a Christian can behave in a difficult situation.

And the situation was as follows: already a year after his elevation to the rank of Metropolitan of Pentapolis, the saint fell victim to denunciations. The Patriarch of Alexandria was informed that the Bishop was leading an inappropriate life and doing many things that could be called “disobedience.”

(Researchers believe that this was the work of envious people who decided that Saint Nektarios was “targeting” the Patriarchs: this is how they interpreted the selfless service to the Lords and the sympathy that the ascetic instantly acquired in Egypt).

At first the saint was forbidden to serve anything other than religious services, and then in July 1890 he was forced to leave the country altogether.

The saint accepted the whole situation without complaint and did not try to “defend justice.” Moreover, he did not hold a grudge against anyone and until his death he spoke of Patriarch Sophrony, who signed the decree, with great respect (although, by the way, he remained a disgraced metropolitan for the rest of his life and even signed himself “travelling bishop”) .

Returning to Greece, he found himself in the same poverty as he had once been. Began new stage his life.

Was a school director for 14 years

In Greece, the saint was greatly helped by his acquaintance with the Greek Queen Olga (sister of Prince Konstantin Romanov, who married King George of Greece). Before this, the most he had managed to achieve was a position as a preacher in the province of Euboea (and even then with the help of the mayor of Athens, who once met an old man descending in tears after another unsuccessful visit to the Ministry of Religious Affairs). However, Queen Olga became the spiritual daughter of the elder, and she also helped Vladyka become the director of the theological school named after the Risari brothers in Athens.

At that time, the school, according to eyewitnesses, was going through hard times, but Saint Nektarios breathed into it new life. He enjoyed the boundless respect of both students and other teachers in many ways because he not only taught, but also represented the image of a true Christian. As a director, he tried, whenever possible, not only to punish, but also to support the guilty students. For example, having learned about someone's serious offense, he imposed strict fasting on himself too - and this was better than any punishment. And if someone still needed to be expelled from school, he did everything to ensure that there was no official decision on expulsion, which would be a stain on the student’s future reputation.

He could also take on any job if the situation required it. So he once secretly “replaced” a sick school janitor, who was very worried that during the weeks of absence he would be fired from his job. Moreover, the saint (bishop) cleaned not only the corridors and rooms, but also the toilets.

Perhaps the best evidence of the saint's work is that many of the school's graduates later became bishops. archimandrites and professors. We will not list them here - there are dozens of them.

Nectarius of Aegina stayed in the “rizarion” for 14 years until 1908, when he went on leave for health reasons.

TO by the way, Prince Konstantin Romanov, whose sister Olga was, is better known as the Russian poet K.R.

In 1885, he dedicated a poem to his sister, already the queen:

“It’s been a long time, it seems, sick, impatient,

So anxiously, with languor, with melancholy,

In a painful delirium, sometimes sad, sometimes happy,

I was expecting a date with you?...”

Wrote a letter to God

This happened when he was 14 years old and working in a tobacco shop in Constantinople. The need of Anastasius (that was the name of the saint before his tonsure) reached such a level that he decided... to write a letter to Jesus! “My Christ! I don't have shoes. I ask You to send it to me. You know how much I love You."

Jesus answered the future ascetic for his faith. The letter was discovered and opened by a man who knew Anastasia well and sent the boy a sum of money.

Tried to find understanding with Christians of other faiths

People who personally knew Saint Nektarios said that he was acutely worried about the fact of the separation of Christian churches. He himself, of course, could not influence global processes in any way, but in his own life He tried as best he could to “unite” the Churches. For example, he did not avoid meeting with Catholic priests, and once even accepted Coptic Egyptians into his school, Rizarion.

(The Coptic Church, founded, according to legend, by the Evangelist Mark, broke away from the Orthodox Church in the 5th century, when it did not accept the decisions of the Council of Chalcedon in 451. At the same time, the Coptic rite remains as ascetic as the Orthodox).

Was a miracle worker

There is no point in listing the miracles performed by the saint - there are a great many of them. They happened both before his death and after. The first posthumous miracle happened literally immediately as soon as the elder died in the hospital (from cancer): the room was filled with a fragrance. The bandages that were removed from the deceased were placed on the bed of a paralytic lying there, who was immediately healed.

During the life of the saint and through his prayers, the sick were healed, hopeless life situations were resolved: literally out of nowhere water appeared in dry wells, and provisions were unexpectedly delivered to the monasteries in times of extreme need. After his death, the saint appeared on ships that seemed to be facing imminent death, and to people who believed that they had lost any support in life.

Next to the saint, spiritual laws acquired amazing power. So, for example, the unfortunate mother, who accused the elder of molesting his daughter, was overtaken after a while by a terrible punishment - she soon went crazy.

Had the virtue of freedom from anger

According to legend, the saint prayed to God to deliver him from the passion of anger even before moving to Egypt. One day he lost his temper and gave his assistant two slaps on the back of the head. After this, he asked the Lord for freedom from anger, and as a “payment” to deprive him of his sense of taste. And so it happened: until the end of his life, no one saw the saint angry, and he himself no longer felt the taste of the food he took.

Founded the Trinity Monastery

In 1904, with his own funds, the elder bought a small plot of land on the island of Aegina, on which there was an abandoned, dilapidated monastery. It was his concern for a group of girls who had gathered around him by that time and longed for monastic life.

A few years later, having left the post of director of the theological school, he himself moved to Aegina and looked after the monastery until his death.

Some sayings of the saint

« How mistaken are those people who seek happiness outside themselves, in foreign countries and travels, in wealth and fame, in great possessions and pleasures. Building a tower of happiness outside our heart is like building a house in a place that is subject to constant earthquakes. Very soon such a building will collapse. Happiness lies within ourselves, and blessed is the one who understands this».

« I don't want you to suffer and be embarrassed by everything that happens against your will, no matter how fair it may be. Such suffering indicates the existence of egoism. Watch out for the selfishness that hides under the guise of rightness. Watch out for misplaced regret that arises after just reproof. Excessive grief is a temptation».

« The only true grief is that which arises when we become well aware of the unhappy state of our soul. All other sorrows have nothing to do with the grace of God».

“The most important work of a person is prayer. Man was created to glorify God. This is the work that is worthy of it. Only this can reveal his spiritual essence. Only this justifies his extraordinary position in the entire universe.

At the same time, our prayers and petitions by themselves do not lead us to perfection. The Lord leads us to perfection, Who comes and dwells in us when we fulfill His commandments. And one of the first commandments is that in our lives, not our will, but God’s will be done. And so that it is accomplished with the precision with which this happens in heaven among the angels."

Troparion of St. Nektarios of Aegina, Metropolitan of Pentapolis

Having lived reverently, like a wise hierarch,

You glorified the Lord

virtuous life, Venerable Nektarios.

Moreover, the Comforter is glorified by strength,

By your divine powers,

drive away demons and heal the sick,

those who come by faith.

Prayer to Saint Nektarios, Metropolitan of Pentapolis, Wonderworker of Aegina

Oh, myrrh-streaming head, Saint Nektarios, Bishop of God! During the time of the great retreat, you captivated the world with wickedness, you shone with piety and you crushed the head of the proud Dennitsa, who offended us. For this reason, Christ granted the gift of healing the incurable ulcers that have struck us for our iniquities.

We believe: may the righteous God love you, for the sake of us sinners He will have mercy on you, forgive you from oaths, deliver you from illness, and throughout the entire universe His name, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, will be fearful and glorious, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.