Andrew M., father of the current Abbess A. of the Sacred Monastery of Koronatos from Neochorion Pallis, was unruly and rageful in his youth. He would get into arguments with his parents who were advising him.
One day his mother made a remark to him. The young man became angry, spoke inappropriately to his mother and in his anger he got carried away and reached out his hand and beat her badly. His mother was hurt and crying; she said to him “you have my curse”.
After the incident, Andrew got dressed and set off on his horse for the country (Lixouri). While approaching Lixouri, he met Papa-Basias [Saint Panagis Basias], and according to custom, he got down from his horse and bowed down to venerate the priest, saying “I venerate you, Holy Master.”
Saint Panagis did not accept Andrew’s veneration but in a strong tone said to him:
"Your mother, your mother! Cursed be the hand that strikes his parents. Turn back and when your mother forgives you, come to Lixouri.”
Andrew was stunned. No one knew how the Holy Priest learned of the incident? The Priest’s tone was such that he did not receive any objection. Andrew returned to his village and told his mother about the incident and, crying, asked for forgiveness. And his mother, in pain, said to him, “Papa-Basias did you good; no, I do not forgive you.”
He was forced to stay in the village.
After three days, his mother forgave him, gave him her blessing, and he set off for Lixouri, but with fear.
On the way, Papa-Basias met him again and he, bowing down to him, said:
"Forgive me, Holy Master."
The Saint blessed him and said:
"Blessed be God; and do not hurt your mother again!"
Thus he taught the young people practically to respect their parents. Such a priest becomes the savior of his people and a social reformer. Who can correct the soul of a bad person? Only the Holy Spirit who dwells in such a charismatic and dedicated person as Papa-Panagis.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
One day his mother made a remark to him. The young man became angry, spoke inappropriately to his mother and in his anger he got carried away and reached out his hand and beat her badly. His mother was hurt and crying; she said to him “you have my curse”.
After the incident, Andrew got dressed and set off on his horse for the country (Lixouri). While approaching Lixouri, he met Papa-Basias [Saint Panagis Basias], and according to custom, he got down from his horse and bowed down to venerate the priest, saying “I venerate you, Holy Master.”
Saint Panagis did not accept Andrew’s veneration but in a strong tone said to him:
"Your mother, your mother! Cursed be the hand that strikes his parents. Turn back and when your mother forgives you, come to Lixouri.”
Andrew was stunned. No one knew how the Holy Priest learned of the incident? The Priest’s tone was such that he did not receive any objection. Andrew returned to his village and told his mother about the incident and, crying, asked for forgiveness. And his mother, in pain, said to him, “Papa-Basias did you good; no, I do not forgive you.”
He was forced to stay in the village.
After three days, his mother forgave him, gave him her blessing, and he set off for Lixouri, but with fear.
On the way, Papa-Basias met him again and he, bowing down to him, said:
"Forgive me, Holy Master."
The Saint blessed him and said:
"Blessed be God; and do not hurt your mother again!"
Thus he taught the young people practically to respect their parents. Such a priest becomes the savior of his people and a social reformer. Who can correct the soul of a bad person? Only the Holy Spirit who dwells in such a charismatic and dedicated person as Papa-Panagis.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
