Venerable Savvas of Kalymnos (1862–1948) has performed many miracles, and the testimonies that have been preserved are astonishing.
Ten years after the repose of Saint Savvas, the translation of his holy and grace-bearing relics took place. It was April 7, 1957. The translation was presided over by the ever-memorable Metropolitan Isidoros of Leros, Kalymnos, and Astypalaia, in the presence of a great multitude of people. A dense cloud of divine fragrance covered the entire area, and news of this divine sign immediately spread throughout the island. The holy relic of the Venerable one was placed in a reliquary, in the Chapel of Saint Savvas the Sanctified. From that moment, there have been many testimonies of healed people concerning the miracles of Saint Savvas of Kalymnos.
1. Healing of a Paralytic (year 1957)
I, the undersigned Anastasios Gerakios, from Kalymnos, was married in February of 1957. After five days I fell ill and became completely paralyzed, remaining in bed for seven months. Day and night I fervently begged Saint Savvas to heal me, for my life had become a martyrdom.
After the Saint had tested my faith for quite some time, he came to me in my sleep and urged me to go up to his monastery to venerate him. With great difficulty they placed me on a donkey and I went up to his monastery, with much effort.
Lying bedridden before the Saint’s reliquary, I prayed with great faith and many tears that he grant me my health. And — O the wonder! - Saint Savvas heard my prayer and healed me. I stood up and was completely well.
I thank him and glorify the Lord.
2. Healing of a Tumor (year 1963)
A small lump appeared in a dangerous place, and little by little it grew, and I suffered.
So, where I was in pain, I again made the sign of the Cross and said: “My Saint Savvas, perform also for me your miracle, take away my pains,” and immediately a light sleep came over me, and again a short man came to me and pushed me twice, smiling, and said to me: “I do not want anything from you, only that every year on my feast you come to keep vigil and light me a candle.” That is what he told me, and he left immediately.
I opened my eyes, and what did I see? All the affliction had broken away from me, and I saw my health restored. Saint Savvas performed two miracles for my husband and for me. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Georgia I. Houli
3. Healing of Migraine (year 1968)
I suffered from terrible migraines. My life was a martyrdom. I was examined by many doctors. All told me that I had a malignant tumor, and no one helped my illness. But I turned to Saint Savvas.
I prayed with fervent tears at his holy relic. I anointed my head with oil from his lamp, and — O the wonder! — Saint Savvas made me completely well.
Panagiotis Malachias
4. Healing of a Skin Disease
I had sores on my hands and suffered greatly. I went to venerate Saint Savvas. I implored him with great faith to heal me. Indeed, as I was going toward the refectory to get coffee, I felt my hands becoming sticky. I wiped them immediately, and everything disappeared. My hands became clean as before.
As soon as I saw the miracle, I offered my ring to the Saint, whom I will never forget; I will call upon him in every difficult moment of my life.
Demetrios M. Korfias
5. Miracle of the Holy Icon painted by the Iconographer Hieromonk Michael
Fr. Michael, an iconographer from Kavsokalyva (he reposed on May 24, 1979), received in 1959 an order from the abbess Philothei to paint an icon of Saint Savvas.
Since Fr. Michael had no image of the Saint and did not know him personally, he prayed to the Lord, and also to Saint Savvas, asking for illumination so that he might paint the icon. Indeed, he had great ease in his work and success. When the holy icon was delivered to the customs office, the monastery bell began to ring by itself.
This event was inexplicable until the next day, when they received notice from the customs office for the reception of the icon. The bell rang by itself until they brought the icon to the monastery.
Narration of Pothitos Kalafatis
6. Healing of Inward Distress (year 1977)
I live in Athens. In September of 1971 I found myself at the Sacred Monastery of Saint Savvas [in Kalymnos].
I venerated with respect and reverence the relic of the Saint. Inwardly I was being tormented by a pain, a distress.
However, I did not ask this of the Saint, but he knew my pain, and when after a few days I was in Athens, in my home, without knowing the Saint except for the holy relic, I see an old man with a small staff standing beside me, in front of me.
I was not afraid; I was somewhat startled to see an unknown person, and indeed inside my own home. And he says to me:
"What is it that is tormenting you? You turn to the right, to the left, and you do not sleep. This matter troubles you. Do not be afraid. In a few days, when you go there, you will receive it with all your heart and with all your… Do not be distressed."
Frightened after this vision, I understood. But he told me, saying: "I am Saint Savvas."
Then I understood. The relic that I had seen in Kalymnos came to my mind.
And indeed, from that time I made a vow to the Saint, but I was not able to fulfill my promise quickly.
Today, 9/6/1977, I am again, by the power of the Saint, in Kalymnos, and I managed to recount the vision of the Saint.
Testimony of Antonios Kyriazis
- From the book Βίος Οσίου Σάββα του Νέου του εν Καλύμνω. Translations by John Sanidopoulos.
Ten years after the repose of Saint Savvas, the translation of his holy and grace-bearing relics took place. It was April 7, 1957. The translation was presided over by the ever-memorable Metropolitan Isidoros of Leros, Kalymnos, and Astypalaia, in the presence of a great multitude of people. A dense cloud of divine fragrance covered the entire area, and news of this divine sign immediately spread throughout the island. The holy relic of the Venerable one was placed in a reliquary, in the Chapel of Saint Savvas the Sanctified. From that moment, there have been many testimonies of healed people concerning the miracles of Saint Savvas of Kalymnos.
1. Healing of a Paralytic (year 1957)
I, the undersigned Anastasios Gerakios, from Kalymnos, was married in February of 1957. After five days I fell ill and became completely paralyzed, remaining in bed for seven months. Day and night I fervently begged Saint Savvas to heal me, for my life had become a martyrdom.
After the Saint had tested my faith for quite some time, he came to me in my sleep and urged me to go up to his monastery to venerate him. With great difficulty they placed me on a donkey and I went up to his monastery, with much effort.
Lying bedridden before the Saint’s reliquary, I prayed with great faith and many tears that he grant me my health. And — O the wonder! - Saint Savvas heard my prayer and healed me. I stood up and was completely well.
I thank him and glorify the Lord.
2. Healing of a Tumor (year 1963)
A small lump appeared in a dangerous place, and little by little it grew, and I suffered.
So, where I was in pain, I again made the sign of the Cross and said: “My Saint Savvas, perform also for me your miracle, take away my pains,” and immediately a light sleep came over me, and again a short man came to me and pushed me twice, smiling, and said to me: “I do not want anything from you, only that every year on my feast you come to keep vigil and light me a candle.” That is what he told me, and he left immediately.
I opened my eyes, and what did I see? All the affliction had broken away from me, and I saw my health restored. Saint Savvas performed two miracles for my husband and for me. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Georgia I. Houli
3. Healing of Migraine (year 1968)
I suffered from terrible migraines. My life was a martyrdom. I was examined by many doctors. All told me that I had a malignant tumor, and no one helped my illness. But I turned to Saint Savvas.
I prayed with fervent tears at his holy relic. I anointed my head with oil from his lamp, and — O the wonder! — Saint Savvas made me completely well.
Panagiotis Malachias
4. Healing of a Skin Disease
I had sores on my hands and suffered greatly. I went to venerate Saint Savvas. I implored him with great faith to heal me. Indeed, as I was going toward the refectory to get coffee, I felt my hands becoming sticky. I wiped them immediately, and everything disappeared. My hands became clean as before.
As soon as I saw the miracle, I offered my ring to the Saint, whom I will never forget; I will call upon him in every difficult moment of my life.
Demetrios M. Korfias
5. Miracle of the Holy Icon painted by the Iconographer Hieromonk Michael
Fr. Michael, an iconographer from Kavsokalyva (he reposed on May 24, 1979), received in 1959 an order from the abbess Philothei to paint an icon of Saint Savvas.
Since Fr. Michael had no image of the Saint and did not know him personally, he prayed to the Lord, and also to Saint Savvas, asking for illumination so that he might paint the icon. Indeed, he had great ease in his work and success. When the holy icon was delivered to the customs office, the monastery bell began to ring by itself.
This event was inexplicable until the next day, when they received notice from the customs office for the reception of the icon. The bell rang by itself until they brought the icon to the monastery.
Narration of Pothitos Kalafatis
6. Healing of Inward Distress (year 1977)
I live in Athens. In September of 1971 I found myself at the Sacred Monastery of Saint Savvas [in Kalymnos].
I venerated with respect and reverence the relic of the Saint. Inwardly I was being tormented by a pain, a distress.
However, I did not ask this of the Saint, but he knew my pain, and when after a few days I was in Athens, in my home, without knowing the Saint except for the holy relic, I see an old man with a small staff standing beside me, in front of me.
I was not afraid; I was somewhat startled to see an unknown person, and indeed inside my own home. And he says to me:
"What is it that is tormenting you? You turn to the right, to the left, and you do not sleep. This matter troubles you. Do not be afraid. In a few days, when you go there, you will receive it with all your heart and with all your… Do not be distressed."
Frightened after this vision, I understood. But he told me, saying: "I am Saint Savvas."
Then I understood. The relic that I had seen in Kalymnos came to my mind.
And indeed, from that time I made a vow to the Saint, but I was not able to fulfill my promise quickly.
Today, 9/6/1977, I am again, by the power of the Saint, in Kalymnos, and I managed to recount the vision of the Saint.
Testimony of Antonios Kyriazis
- From the book Βίος Οσίου Σάββα του Νέου του εν Καλύμνω. Translations by John Sanidopoulos.
