By Georgios Papazachos (1935–2001),
Professor of Medicine, University of Athens
Professor of Medicine, University of Athens
I would meet him on Patmos, where he lived as a monk, and also in Athens — indeed, once when he had come to the capital, I even had the special “blessing” of hosting him in my home. He was serene, gentle; you rejoiced even just to look at him!
The first time I met him, as soon as he saw me from afar, without even knowing me, he opened his arms wide and cried out warmly: “Blessed is he who comes!”
He embraced me and then kissed me. This is the love of the elders: they embrace you and truly warm your soul!
Afterward, he turned and said to me:
"Come, let us sit outside by my 'firstborn'!"
"Which 'firstborn,' Elder?"
"This that you see here is my 'firstborn'!"
"Which one, father?"
"Here, this pine tree!"
It was a pine tree, beneath which he had placed a long table, where he would eat with various people who came to visit him.
And he continued:
"Do you see? On its trunk I have nailed this iron cross. So the pine tree is my 'firstborn'; and I have even made it a 'great-schema monk”'! Come, let us do this: do not speak at all, and listen to how my 'firstborn' sits and 'speaks' with the sea!"
And indeed! The wind was blowing through the branches of the pine; all around could be heard the rustling of the pine needles; and below, one could hear the waves of the sea. It was a scene of indescribable blessedness! To sit near such a holy man, who did not speak but prayed and communed with God!
At some point he turned and said to me:
"This hillside that you see now full of pines was once completely barren. So, whoever came to me for confession, I would then give him as a 'rule' to plant trees!"
Elder Amphilochios of Patmos suffered from diabetes. That time when he came to Athens and stayed in our home, my wife had some difficulty regarding his diet. And he said to her: “My child, no worries! Whatever you have prepared! Amphilochios is simple.”
And indeed! Elder Amphilochios was so simple, that he immediately took you out of any difficult situation and, from the very first moment, entered into your heart!
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
