A Glimpse of His Holy Life:
Agios
Amphilochios was born on December 13, 1889 on the island of Patmos, the holy
island on which St. John the Theologian and Evangelist received divine
revelation of the apocalypse, later recorded by his disciple St. Procopious and
included in the canon of the New Testament. Elder Amphilochios was born into a
large pious family and was baptized with the name Athanasios. Like many saints,
even as an infant Athanasios piously kept the fasts of the Church and refused
his mother’s milk on Wednesdays and Fridays. He preserved himself from the
temptations of the world and at the age seventeen became a novice a the Holy
Monastery of St. John the Theologian on Patmos. After his tonsure into the
Great Schema he was later ordained a deacon and subsequently a priest. He was
elected abbot in 1935. He went on to found a women’s monastery nearby which
opened an orphanage and a house for pregnant women. Two years before his
repose, on Pascha 1968, the elder was forewarned of his earthly departure,
having prepared himself he reposed on April 16, 1970, just before Holy Week
began.
By Matushka Constantina
Spiritual
Counsels and Sayings
Here we present some examples from the wealth
of his spiritual counsel, chosen from whatever was saved like valuable diamonds
by our brothers and sisters, who were taught by him and confessed to him, in
their earnestness.
=============
When the
flame of love exists, it consumes whatever evil approaches.
***
The person
who loves spiritually, feels prayerful, that he can be found within God and his
brother. He is saddened when his brother is not advancing well and prays for
his progress. Whoever has Christian love never changes.
***
When you hear your name being criticized act
as if you didn’t hear. This is Paradise, this is perfection.
***
Our religion slays the passions not the body.
***
Where thee is
fear of God wisdom is given
***
I want you to
be calm so that we can meet. When you’re tired the wireless doesn’t work.
***
The Christian
is a true human being He is courteous and polite. He doesn’t want to sadden
anybody.
***
Innocence is
greater than genius.
***
A person who
suffers from egotism attracts no-one. And if he does attract someone he will
soon go away. When one comes across a childlike spirit, innocence and holiness
the bond becomes unbreakable.
***
Your hearts
are young and want to love. You must have our Christ alone in your heart. Your
Bridegroom wants you to love only Him.
***
The spiritual
life has great pleasures. You fly, you leave the world , you don’t consider anything.
You become children and God dwells in your heart.
***
The Grace of
the All-Holy Spirit makes a person send out rays. However, other people must
have a good receiver in order to realise this.
***
We must have
our gaze fixed on heaven. Then nothing will shake us.
***
Take
communion regularly, pray warmly, be patient and you will see a strong hand
holding you.
***
Christ is
near us even if we don’t see Him. Sometimes, from his great love, He gives us a
slap too.
***
Fight the
Hater of Good, who envies you, bravely suffer whatever befalls you with
fortitude, patience and faith.
***
Do not allow
your soul’s enemy to wage war against you. He appears in sheep’s clothing,
supposedly wanting your soul’s benefit.
***
Trust in the
Lord always and he will nourish you in time of hunger.
***
With a good
word for your neighbour, supporting him, you buy paradise.
Evangelismos Monastery,
Patmos.
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