St. Nektarios of Aegina - 00STNA01

Feast Day/Commemorated: November 9

Early Life and Miraculous Beginnings

Saint Nektarios, born Anastasius Kephalas in Selebria, Thrace on October 1, 1846, was destined to become a great wonderworker. From a humble background, he sought work in Constantinople at age fourteen. A ship captain, initially reluctant to take the penniless boy, witnessed his engines mysteriously fail until Anastasius was allowed aboard, signaling an early divine favor. In Constantinople, working for a tobacco merchant, Anastasius, despite his meager pay, trustingly wrote out spiritual maxims on tobacco bags for customers, sowing seeds of faith. His simple, profound faith was further exemplified when he wrote a letter directly to "My little Christ," requesting an apron and shoes. A kind merchant intercepted this letter, anonymously sent Anastasius money, and subsequently revealed the truth to Anastasius's abusive employer, highlighting the boy's unwavering trust in God's provision.

The Cross and the Call to Monasticism

Anastasius's early life was also marked by a profound miracle at sea. During a storm, on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, he took the helm of a sinking ship, praying fervently. He then dipped a cross—a relic from his grandmother containing a piece of the True Cross—into the raging waters, commanding the sea to "Silence! Be still." Instantly, the storm abated, and the sea calmed. Although his cross was lost in the process, it was later miraculously found adhering to the ship's hull when it docked, solidifying his deep connection to divine intervention and becoming a cherished personal treasure he wore ever after. This experience, among others, undoubtedly fueled his spiritual aspirations. On November 7, 1875, Anastasius embraced monastic life, receiving the name Lazarus at Nea Moni Monastery on Chios. Two years later, he was ordained a deacon and given the new name Nektarios.

Unjust Persecution and Humble Service

After his ordination as a priest, Father Nektarios moved to Egypt and was elected Metropolitan of Pentapolis. His virtues, inspiring sermons, and distinguished character unfortunately aroused the jealousy of some colleagues. Other Metropolitans and bishops of the Patriarchate of Alexandria maliciously accused him of plotting to become patriarch, convincing Patriarch Sophronius to remove him from his See. Saint Nektarios bore this unjust trial with immense patience, even though the ambiguous letter of suspension led to widespread scandal and speculation. To prevent further disturbance in the Church of Alexandria, he moved to Athens, only to find that false rumors had preceded him. Despite his episcopal rank, he was left without support or a place to live, diligently seeking assistance from the Minister of Religion. Through the intervention of a friend, he humbly accepted a position as a simple preacher in the diocese of Vitineia and Euboea, demonstrating his profound humility and willingness to serve in any capacity.

Director of Rizarios Seminary and Founding of Holy Trinity Monastery

Even in his humble preaching role, whispers of scandal continued to follow him, prompting him to resign and return to Athens. However, some began to recognize the falsehoods of the rumors, observing his blameless life. With their support, Saint Nektarios was appointed Director of the Rizarios Seminary in Athens on March 8, 1894, a position he held until 1908. During his tenure, he celebrated services, taught students, and authored numerous edifying spiritual books. Seeking a quieter life for prayer and contemplation away from the bustle of Athens, he found an abandoned monastery dedicated to the Holy Trinity on the island of Aegina. He began to repair it with his own hands, establishing a community of nuns with the blind Nun Xenia as abbess and serving as their Father Confessor. His spiritual guidance drew many to Aegina, and the community grew to thirty nuns, to whom he prophesied that he was building a "lighthouse" that would one day draw many to Aegina to venerate his holy relics.

Repose, Miracles, and Glorification

On November 8, 1920, at the age of seventy-four, Saint Nektarios, suffering from a bladder disease, reposed peacefully at the Aretaieion Hospital in Athens. A miraculous event occurred immediately after his death: a paralyzed man in the adjacent bed was instantly healed when Saint Nektarios's sweater was placed on his bed. Saint Nektarios was buried at the Holy Trinity Monastery on Aegina. Years later, his grave was opened for the customary removal of bones, but his body was found incorrupt. Despite an Archbishop's directive to expose the body to the sun for decay, it remained incorrupt even after reburial and a second exhumation, leading to his relics being placed in a marble sarcophagus. Though his body eventually dissolved, his bones remained, with his head placed in a bishop's mitre for veneration. Saint Nektarios was glorified by God, and both during and after his life, he has performed thousands of miracles, particularly for those suffering from cancer. He is now one of the most widely venerated modern Orthodox saints, with more churches dedicated to him than to any other contemporary saint, testifying to his continuous spiritual power and divine favor.

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