2,311
edits
Changes
m
no edit summary
[[Image:Father-elias-father-amphilochios.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Father Elias (Annunciation Monastery in Patmos) is watching the portrait of Father Amphilochios, the founder of the monastery.]]
'''Elder St. Amphilochios of Patmos''' (Makris) was a priestmonk who lived on Patmos (Greece). He was glorified on [[August 29]] 2018. His feast day is [[April 16]].
==Biography==
However, in 1919, Fr Amphilochios was [[ordination|ordained]] to the [[diaconate]] and, soon after, to the [[priest]]hood. He was assigned to the monastery's dependency on the island of Kos, also serving as confessor throughout the Dodecanese. In 1926, he was sent to the [[Cave of the Apocalypse]], Patmos. He spent much time with students of the Ecclesiastical Academy, which produced numerous elders and abbots.
In 1935, the occupying powers of the Dodecanese were the Italians, who influenced the Church by forcing a system of governance that made it easy to manipulate the Church. However, the Patriarch of Constantinople demanded that this situation be rectified for the new abbot. In response, the brotherhood elected Elder Amphilochios as abbot. Soon after, the seeds of the future female Monastery of the Annunciation began to be planted: the first building housed a training workshop for knitting and weaving, a guise under which to teach children Greek. In response, in 1937, the Italians exiled Elder Amphilochios to mainland Greece, where the Elder received hospitality from the [[Brotherhood of Theologians "Zoe"|Zoe brotherhood]] in Athens, from whence he traveled throughout Greece; after which he traveled to Crete, where he became spiritual father of the island.
His exile ended in 1939, and Elder Amphilochios returned to Patmos, being received with great joy. He did not, however, reassume his abbacy, but rather, focused on dependencies and the female Monastery of the Annunciation. The changeover of power in 1942, from the Italians to the Germans, did not greatly impact on the Elder's life. In 1947, Elder Amphilochios organised a small group of [[nun]]s to assist the orphans of Rhodes (at that time, extremely poor) by establishing an orphanage, along with a unit for pregnant women.
==Quotes==
"Do not be afraid because of your Orthodoxy; do not be afraid because, as an Orthodox in the West, you will be often isolated and always in a small minority. Do not make compromises but do not attack other Christians; do not be either defensive or aggressive; simply be yourself." — related by Bishop [[Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia|Kallistos (Ware)]], 2000, "The Spiritual Guide in Orthodox Christianity", in ''The Inner Kingdom: Volume One of the Collected Works'', [[St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Crestwood, New York)|St. Vladimir's]] Press, Crestwood, New York, p. 150.
"Do you know there is an eleventh commandment not recorded in the Bible, and it says, 'Love the trees.' Those who do not love trees do not love Christ." — related by Bishop [[Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia|Kallistos (Ware)]], "The Message of St. Gregory Palamas for the World Today", a lecture recorded at Ohio State University on April 9, 2002. Sponsored by Hilandar Research Library.
==Bibliography==
*Middleton, Herman A., 2004,"Elder Amphilochios of Patmos: Life", in ''Precious Vessels of the Holy Spirit: The Lives & Counsels of Contemporary Elders of Greece'', 2nd edn., [[osource:Protecting Veil Press|Protecting Veil Press]], Thessalonica, Greece. [http://www.protectingveil.com/available]
[[Category:Athonite Fathers]]
[[Category:Monastics]]
[[Category:Elders]]
[[Category:Saints]]
[[ro:Amfilohie (Makris) din Patmos]]
[[pt:Amphilochios de Patmos]]
