Mount Athos - The great fragrance of the holy relic of Saint Andrew and the miracle with the Holy Wood.

Mount Athos - The great fragrance of the holy relic of Saint Andrew and the miracle with the Holy Wood.

In the New Skete of Mount Athos is the Holy Cell of the Abrahams, which is dedicated to Saint Andrew the First-Called. On a visit there many years ago, I met my beloved hieromonk Fr. Abraham, who is now the Elder of the cell. Pappoulis led me to the reliquary with the Holy relic of Saint Andrew. Its fragrance was very strong and after I mentioned it to Fr. Abraham, he said to me: "This is a great consolation for us, Mr. Miltiades!" Monks who struggle spiritually, deprived of the consolations that we have in our families, are in need of divine consolations and they receive them from our Lord!

 In this cell there is also a large piece of the Holy Cross of our Lord! Several years ago, a pilgrim grabbed the Holy Wood with unclean hands and was shaken to the door of the entrance to the holy temple!

May the holy prayer of Saint Andrew the First-Called cover all the Orthodox! May we also have the prayers of the honest and struggling Fathers of Mount Athos! Amen!

Tsesmetzis Miltiadis - educator