Father Damaskinos Katrakoulis remembers:

Father Damaskinos Katrakoulis remembers:

“Suddenly, I see the opponents [the guerrillas], wrapped in white sheets, climbing the hill [Bukovic, above Kastoria], without being noticed.

The moment was critical... I did not know what to do, to

prevent the disaster. 

Because, as the enemies were

invisible in the snow, covered with

the white blankets, they arrived very close to

the national army and a hand-to-hand fight began.

What should I do, my God?  I had a Cross of Holy Wood, which the nun Kalliniki (Kallia) had given me when I was leaving to become a soldier. I said then: “My Cross, aren’t you going up there to guard the people?” Oh, I didn’t think much about what I asked for… At that time I didn’t understand anything. When the fierce battle was over, I looked for it. I said: “Wait, where is my Cross?” I looked and there was no Cross on me.  My Cross was lost

and I never found it again...

In the morning, they sent me up there alone to

take the correspondence to the Commander. I went on foot with my weapon on my shoulder and climbed the hill. So I see that after all that destruction that happened, only one soldier had been beaten. I immediately remembered the Cross and understood

that He guarded them..."

BIBLIOGRAPHY. ARCHIMANDRITE IOANNIS KOSTOF. THE MELODY OF HAPPINESS. PUBLICATIONS OF THE HOLY MONASTERY OF SAINT JOHN OF DAMASCUS. OROPOS 2025