On November 3, the Orthodox Church commemorates the uncovering of the holy relics of Saint Porphyrios of Kavsokalyva, an event associated with the same spirit of humility and concealment that characterized the Elder throughout his earthly life.
Saint Porphyrios, who reposed on December 2, 1991, at the Sacred Skete of Kavsokalyva on Mount Athos, had expressed the desire that his burial take place quietly, without public attention. His final wish was consistent with the simplicity and humility with which he had lived. He did not want an elaborate funeral or a distinguished tomb, but a simple monastic burial among the fathers of the skete.
A Hidden Burial at Kavsokalyva
The Elder's repose took place at Kavsokalyva on December 2, 1991. In accordance with his wishes, his funeral was conducted discreetly, attended by only a few of the fathers who had served him during his final days. He was buried in a simple monastic grave, marked by a few stones and a wooden cross.
The accounts of his burial emphasize how carefully the Elder had arranged for his final departure to remain unknown. He had instructed a hieromonk concerning his burial and did not want crowds to gather around him after his death. His desire was not to attract attention to himself, even after his repose, but to depart this life in the same humility in which he had lived.
According to the monastic custom of Kavsokalyva, the exhumation and gathering of the relics was to take place after three years. This was also carried out secretly, at an unexpected time, so that no one would discover where the holy relics of the Elder would be kept.
The uncovering reportedly took place on November 3, 1994, one month before the completion of the three-year period. The date was chosen because November 3 was also the commemoration of the uncovering of the relics of the Holy Great Martyr George, allowing the procedure to take place without attracting attention.
According to certain testimonies, the holy relics of Saint Porphyrios were subsequently buried in a secret location in the neighboring forest of Kavsokalyva, a place known only to one or two of the fathers.
Saint Porphyrios, who reposed on December 2, 1991, at the Sacred Skete of Kavsokalyva on Mount Athos, had expressed the desire that his burial take place quietly, without public attention. His final wish was consistent with the simplicity and humility with which he had lived. He did not want an elaborate funeral or a distinguished tomb, but a simple monastic burial among the fathers of the skete.
A Hidden Burial at Kavsokalyva
The Elder's repose took place at Kavsokalyva on December 2, 1991. In accordance with his wishes, his funeral was conducted discreetly, attended by only a few of the fathers who had served him during his final days. He was buried in a simple monastic grave, marked by a few stones and a wooden cross.
The accounts of his burial emphasize how carefully the Elder had arranged for his final departure to remain unknown. He had instructed a hieromonk concerning his burial and did not want crowds to gather around him after his death. His desire was not to attract attention to himself, even after his repose, but to depart this life in the same humility in which he had lived.
According to the monastic custom of Kavsokalyva, the exhumation and gathering of the relics was to take place after three years. This was also carried out secretly, at an unexpected time, so that no one would discover where the holy relics of the Elder would be kept.
The uncovering reportedly took place on November 3, 1994, one month before the completion of the three-year period. The date was chosen because November 3 was also the commemoration of the uncovering of the relics of the Holy Great Martyr George, allowing the procedure to take place without attracting attention.
According to certain testimonies, the holy relics of Saint Porphyrios were subsequently buried in a secret location in the neighboring forest of Kavsokalyva, a place known only to one or two of the fathers.
The Incorrupt Hands of Saint Porphyrios
How long can a lamp remain hidden beneath a bushel? How can such a great Saint, endowed with such extraordinary and astonishing gifts, remain concealed when society has such a need for a great divine support and consolation?
According to the testimony given over the years by Elder Akakios of Kavsokalyva, one of the monks who remained constantly beside Saint Porphyrios during his final hours, the Saint's hands were found completely incorrupt when they were brought out of the grave.
These were the hands with which he blessed! These were the hands with which he healed! With these hands he offered the treasures of his love and consolation, “raising up” the lives of people!
The testimony is particularly moving because it recalls the personal ministry of the Elder, whose hands had been instruments of blessing, healing, love, and consolation to those who came to him. The account of their incorruption has consequently become closely associated with the memory of Saint Porphyrios and the uncovering of his relics.
How long can a lamp remain hidden beneath a bushel? How can such a great Saint, endowed with such extraordinary and astonishing gifts, remain concealed when society has such a need for a great divine support and consolation?
According to the testimony given over the years by Elder Akakios of Kavsokalyva, one of the monks who remained constantly beside Saint Porphyrios during his final hours, the Saint's hands were found completely incorrupt when they were brought out of the grave.
These were the hands with which he blessed! These were the hands with which he healed! With these hands he offered the treasures of his love and consolation, “raising up” the lives of people!
The testimony is particularly moving because it recalls the personal ministry of the Elder, whose hands had been instruments of blessing, healing, love, and consolation to those who came to him. The account of their incorruption has consequently become closely associated with the memory of Saint Porphyrios and the uncovering of his relics.
The Cenotaph of Saint Porphyrios at Kavsokalyva
Although the relics of Saint Porphyrios were secretly removed from his original grave on November 3, 1994, his memory continues to be commemorated at Kavsokalyva. According to an account published by Hieromonk George Alevras in July 2024, a cenotaph (an empty tomb erected in memory of the deceased) was constructed in the cemetery of the Sacred Skete of the Holy Trinity at Kavsokalyva, eleven years after the Elder's canonization by the Ecumenical Patriarchate on November 27, 2013.
The cenotaph provides pilgrims with a visible place to remember and honor the Saint, even though his actual relics remain concealed. It is important, however, to distinguish this memorial tomb from the Elder's original burial place. According to the same account, after the relics were removed, the original grave was subsequently used for the burial of another monk. The cenotaph is therefore a separate memorial and should not be mistaken for the place where Saint Porphyrios's relics are kept.
The Establishment of the Liturgical Commemoration
The commemoration of the uncovering of the relics has also received a place in the liturgical life of the Church.
In early 2026, the Sacred Metropolis of Veria, Naousa and Campania announced the publication of a special festal service for the uncovering of the holy relics of Saint Porphyrios of Kavsokalyva. The service was composed by Dr. Haralambos Bousias, the Great Hymnographer of the Church of Alexandria, and received the approval of the Patriarchate of Alexandria.
The publication was made possible through the support of the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopaidi, while its editorial supervision was undertaken by Archimandrite Chrysostomos Papadakis, a cleric of the Metropolis of Veria.
The volume includes not only the service for the uncovering of the relics, but also two supplicatory canons to Saint Porphyrios, salutatory hymns, encomia in his honor, and a prayer for the healing and strengthening of those who seek his wonderworking intercessions. The proceeds from its distribution were designated for the completion of the Church of Saint Luke the Physician.
The Metropolis expressed its gratitude to Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria for accepting its proposal to establish the feast of the uncovering of the Saint's relics, to the hymnographer Haralambos Bousias for composing the service, and to the Abbot of the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopaidi, Archimandrite Ephraim, for supporting its publication.
This development gives the commemoration a formal liturgical expression and preserves the memory of the event through the hymnographic tradition of the Church.
Apolytikion.
Tone 1. “Tis erimou politis”
Zealot of obscurity and humble-minded Porphyrios, when your disciples had secretly performed the uncovering of your relics from the tomb, they concealed them in a hidden place. We earnestly desire to venerate them noetically, O blessed one, and to cry out to you: Glory to Christ who glorified you; glory to Him who sanctified you; glory to Him who wondrously revealed you as a light of humility.
Although the relics of Saint Porphyrios were secretly removed from his original grave on November 3, 1994, his memory continues to be commemorated at Kavsokalyva. According to an account published by Hieromonk George Alevras in July 2024, a cenotaph (an empty tomb erected in memory of the deceased) was constructed in the cemetery of the Sacred Skete of the Holy Trinity at Kavsokalyva, eleven years after the Elder's canonization by the Ecumenical Patriarchate on November 27, 2013.
The cenotaph provides pilgrims with a visible place to remember and honor the Saint, even though his actual relics remain concealed. It is important, however, to distinguish this memorial tomb from the Elder's original burial place. According to the same account, after the relics were removed, the original grave was subsequently used for the burial of another monk. The cenotaph is therefore a separate memorial and should not be mistaken for the place where Saint Porphyrios's relics are kept.
The Establishment of the Liturgical Commemoration
The commemoration of the uncovering of the relics has also received a place in the liturgical life of the Church.
In early 2026, the Sacred Metropolis of Veria, Naousa and Campania announced the publication of a special festal service for the uncovering of the holy relics of Saint Porphyrios of Kavsokalyva. The service was composed by Dr. Haralambos Bousias, the Great Hymnographer of the Church of Alexandria, and received the approval of the Patriarchate of Alexandria.
The publication was made possible through the support of the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopaidi, while its editorial supervision was undertaken by Archimandrite Chrysostomos Papadakis, a cleric of the Metropolis of Veria.
The volume includes not only the service for the uncovering of the relics, but also two supplicatory canons to Saint Porphyrios, salutatory hymns, encomia in his honor, and a prayer for the healing and strengthening of those who seek his wonderworking intercessions. The proceeds from its distribution were designated for the completion of the Church of Saint Luke the Physician.
The Metropolis expressed its gratitude to Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria for accepting its proposal to establish the feast of the uncovering of the Saint's relics, to the hymnographer Haralambos Bousias for composing the service, and to the Abbot of the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopaidi, Archimandrite Ephraim, for supporting its publication.
This development gives the commemoration a formal liturgical expression and preserves the memory of the event through the hymnographic tradition of the Church.
Apolytikion.
Tone 1. “Tis erimou politis”
Zealot of obscurity and humble-minded Porphyrios, when your disciples had secretly performed the uncovering of your relics from the tomb, they concealed them in a hidden place. We earnestly desire to venerate them noetically, O blessed one, and to cry out to you: Glory to Christ who glorified you; glory to Him who sanctified you; glory to Him who wondrously revealed you as a light of humility.
