Words of Faith from Saint Kallinikos of Edessa

By Fr. Elias Makos

On the occasion of the transfer of the relics of Saint Kallinikos, Metropolitan of Edessa, Pella and Almopia, we offer below a few characteristic excerpts from the dozens of his encyclicals during the 17 years of his pastorate were collected, which show that he knew well that the present is at our disposal, while the future belongs to God. That is why he was constantly prayerful, attentive and vigilant.

The encyclicals (1967-1984) of Saint Kallinikos (published in 2004 in a single volume by the Metropolis of Edessa), reveal not only his way of thinking, but also his way of life, which aimed at nothing other than how his soul would be spiritually advanced, in order to hear, as he did, the voice of its Lord: "Enter into the joy of your Lord."

His purpose was not small and ordinary, but great, supreme and most holy. It was to progress, with the power and grace of God, in virtue and illumination.

He often repeated that while we have time, we should not forget the elementary truth, that we are not eternally in this world, but temporarily, very temporarily.

Celebrating the Holy New Venerable Martyr Nikodemos in Berat, Albania

By Fr. Elias Makos

With Vespers on the eve, as well as a vigil in the Church of Saint Michael, as well as a Divine Liturgy on the feast day in the chapel in his honor in the Cathedral of Saint Demetrios, the memory of the local Venerable Martyr Nikodemos was honored in Berat, Albania.

The faithful had the opportunity to venerate the skull of Saint Nikodemos and receive cotton from his sacred lips as a blessing.

When the Saint was beheaded on July 11th 1722, Christians gave money to the Turks and received his relics, which they placed in the Church of the Panagia.

In 1815, the silversmiths of Berat made a silver case for the Saint's head.

The Grave of Saint Neilos of Thesprotia

January 2, 2021

By Fr. Elias Makos

The grave of Saint Neilos Erichiotis (1228-1334), whose memory the Church commemorates on January 2, and was the founder and first benefactor of the Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Giromeri of Thesprotia, and who closed his eyes peacefully and full of days at the age of 106, after first writing his will and appointing his successor, is located a short distance from the Monastery, in a rugged and steep place.

In fact, he had prepared it himself and chose for it to be in a secluded and inaccessible spot, by a stream, as a confession of his complete self-offering to Christ.

And it reminds us that faith in Christ is a continuous sacrifice, an uninterrupted journey towards Golgotha, with the cross borne on one's shoulder. But the cross is that of Christ and not of course of our own convictions.

Research and excavations are underway, which were delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the aim of finding his remains, 687 years after his repose.

It is expected that after the work is completed, they will come to the surface.*

After 160 Years, the Relics of the Turkish Dervish Who Became an Orthodox Saint, Were Found in 1974

By Fr. Elias Makos

On January 4, 1974, the relic of Saint John of Konitsa was discovered by monks, 160 years after his martyrdom in Agrinio in 1814, in a crypt in the Prousos Monastery, right next to the miraculous icon of the Panagia Prousiotissa.

Since then the Church celebrates the finding of his relic.

It was fragrant and is still fragrant to our days, reminding us of the triumph of our faith. A triumph which rested on the bloody struggles of genuine truth.

It had been transferred from Agrinio (Vrachori at the time), where the Saint was martyred, at the initiative of the teacher Iatrides of Karpenisi and the abbot of Prousos Kyrillos Kastanofyllis, to the Monastery, where he remained hidden for more than a century and a half.

The Location of the Place Where Saint Paraskevi Was Martyred

 By Fr. Elias Makos

While the manner of Saint Paraskevi's martyrdom is preserved, there are various versions about the place of her martyrdom.

However, it is indisputable that she stood out for her Christian ethos, which was connected to the truth of faith.

And she spread the gospel in various places, with the power and grace of God. God ignited a flame in her, and the Saint kept this flame unquenchable.

The brilliance of her life, made even more brilliant by her martyrdom, had an effect on others.