Synaxarion
By Metropolitan Kyrillos (Kogerakis) of Rhodes
On the 15th of the same month [January], the Commemoration of Saint Gerasimos Palladas, Patriarch of Alexandria
Verses
By Metropolitan Kyrillos (Kogerakis) of Rhodes
On the 15th of the same month [January], the Commemoration of Saint Gerasimos Palladas, Patriarch of Alexandria
Verses
Gerasimos is a gift to the Church,
True to his name among those of later times.
On the fifteenth Gerasimos of Alexandria died.
True to his name among those of later times.
On the fifteenth Gerasimos of Alexandria died.
This Saint was born in the middle of the seventeenth century in a village of the great island of Crete called Skillous, now known as Kalloni. His father was Theodore the Protopresbyter and rhetorician, a man who in his manner of life vied with the pious of former generations, and in speech was more distinguished and renowned than all others. From him Gerasimos was educated in general learning and instructed in virtue and piety. From there, driven by a desire for greater learning, he left his homeland and went first to Kerkyra and then to Venice.
Having completed the course of his studies in the West, he lived there awaiting the outcome of events in Candia of Crete, for at that time the city was under siege by the Hagarenes. When he learned of the capture of the city and of the death of his father and his relatives, he lamented the calamity in verses of measured poetry. Setting out from there, he arrived in the Peloponnese, where, encountering many noble compatriots, he shared in their tragedy and offered them no small measure of help and consolation.
From there, passing through cities and places, and having served as a teacher of the faithful in Ioannina, Arta, and Paramythia, he came to Kastoria, where he was appointed Archbishop. Thereafter he became Metropolitan of Adrianople, and on the 25th of July in the year 1688 he was proclaimed Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria.
For twenty-two years he shone upon that Throne as a true shepherd, administering affairs there well, excelling in teaching by his words, and becoming an example to the flock in word, in deed, and in every virtue, while also restraining the attacks of false brethren against the Orthodox. Having thus reached a deep old age and been afflicted by severe illnesses, he left as his successor Samuel of Chios and departed to the Holy Mountain, to the Monastery of Vatopaidi. There, after living a short while longer, he fell asleep the sleep befitting the Venerables on the 15th of January in the year 1715. His honorable head is preserved in the Monastery of Vatopaidi.
Apolytikion
Tone 1. Tou lithou sfragisthentos.
Having treasured the riches of wisdom in both realms, you ascended, by divine judgment, to the throne of Alexandria; and you shone forth like the radiant sun, from it illuminating beyond all understanding, by the rays of your virtues, the souls of those who cry out to you with longing: Rejoice, delightful offspring of Crete; rejoice, chosen vessel of Christ; rejoice, wondrous crown of Orthodoxy, O Gerasimos.
Kontakion
Tone 2. Tous asfaleis.
As an excellent initiator into the mysteries of piety, and a divinely inspired herald of wisdom, let us fittingly praise him in hymns, and crown him with encomiums: Gerasimos of Crete, the choicest blossom, and the adornment of Alexandria, our sleepless protector.
Oikos
Let us devoutly extol this great one among Patriarchs, the wise chief sacrificer of Alexandria, the honorable Gerasimos, crowning his memory with hymns of honor. For having risen like a radiant luminary to the ends of the earth, with rays of teaching he illumined the multitude of the Orthodox. Therefore he received in return, abundantly, grace from God. Thus we bless him, our sleepless protector.
Megalynarion
Rejoice, O divine offspring of Crete and wondrous Patriarch of Alexandria; rejoice, great initiator into the mysteries of piety, O Gerasimos, new gift of the faith.
Tone 1. Tou lithou sfragisthentos.
Having treasured the riches of wisdom in both realms, you ascended, by divine judgment, to the throne of Alexandria; and you shone forth like the radiant sun, from it illuminating beyond all understanding, by the rays of your virtues, the souls of those who cry out to you with longing: Rejoice, delightful offspring of Crete; rejoice, chosen vessel of Christ; rejoice, wondrous crown of Orthodoxy, O Gerasimos.
Kontakion
Tone 2. Tous asfaleis.
As an excellent initiator into the mysteries of piety, and a divinely inspired herald of wisdom, let us fittingly praise him in hymns, and crown him with encomiums: Gerasimos of Crete, the choicest blossom, and the adornment of Alexandria, our sleepless protector.
Oikos
Let us devoutly extol this great one among Patriarchs, the wise chief sacrificer of Alexandria, the honorable Gerasimos, crowning his memory with hymns of honor. For having risen like a radiant luminary to the ends of the earth, with rays of teaching he illumined the multitude of the Orthodox. Therefore he received in return, abundantly, grace from God. Thus we bless him, our sleepless protector.
Megalynarion
Rejoice, O divine offspring of Crete and wondrous Patriarch of Alexandria; rejoice, great initiator into the mysteries of piety, O Gerasimos, new gift of the faith.
