[[image:Philotheos_Zervakos.jpg|thumb|Philotheos Zervakos]]Blessed Elder Archimandite [[Archimandrite]] '''Philotheos Zervakos''' of Longovarda (1884-1980) is a well-known 20th-century [[Church of Greece|Greek Orthodox]] elder, from Paros island, and spiritual son of St. [[Nektarios of Aegina]]. He was imprisoned twice by the Turks during the final years of the Ottoman occupation of Thessaloniki and many have witnessed the saint to "float/walk on air". Although he has not been [[glorification|glorified]] he is considered a [[saint]] in Greece.

Blessed Elder Archimandrite Philotheos (Zervakos) was born in the small and remote village of Pakia in Sparti, Peloponesse, Greece , in the year 1884 and was given the name of Constantine at his [[Holy Baptism|baptism]]. From childhood he demonstrated an exceptional love for God.

He was 18 years old, when he was inspired by the 54th Psalm to follow the monastic life. He departed from his paternal home with neither shoes or any possessions; he only had his tunic and a small gospel. In 1912, [[April 22]], Father Philotheos was [[ordination|ordained]] to the [[presbyter|priesthood]] by the ''[[Metropolitan ]] Gabriel of Trifilia and Olympia''. In 1924, he made an extensive [[pilgrimage]] to the [[Holy land Land]] and Egypt. This is all described in his book published in 1925, ''Great and Wondrous Pilgrimages to Palestine and Sinai''.

In 1930, Elder Ierotheos reposed, and Father Fr. Philotheos succeeded him as [[abbot]] of Longovarda. By this stage, Father Fr. Philotheos had the reputation of a saint. In 1934, he made another pilgrimage, this time to Constantinople. He returned to Greece and founds founded the [[convent]] of [[Panagia Myrtidiotissa]] ''Thapsanon'' (The Virgin of the Myrtle Tree) 4km , 4 km from Lefkes on the island of Paros, Greece.

In 1980 Throughout his life, the blessed Elder Philotheos died on preaches the morning word of [[May 8]]God and heard confessions for 68 years (1912 to 1978). His funeral was conducted by Archimandrite Dionysios of Simonopetra Monastery During this time, he visited the islands of [[Mount Athos|Mt Athos]]. His [[relics]] were laid to rest at the convent in Paros, in a place that he chose beside the chapel dedicated to his spiritual mentorAntiparos, Naxos, Amorgos, Thera, Syros, Tinos, Andros, Sifnos, Patmos, Rhodes, Chios, Mytilene, Saint [[Nectarios of Aegina]] ([[November 9]]), Hydra, Cyprus, Kefallinia, Zakynthos, Evoia, Skiathos, Prigippos. He also visited over 54 cities and towns throughout Greece, including Athens, Sparta, Corinth, Thessaloniki etc.and internationally including Alexandria, Cairo, Constantinople, Suez etc

==In defence of His Spiritual FatherDuring his life, St. Nektarios of Aigina==From the Holy Monastery of Panagia Myrtidiotissahe built 12 churches, two monasteries, Elder Philotheos wrote a well-known apologetic in 1976 addressed to ''Archimandrite Cyprian'' <ref> 1three cemeteries and two schools. The most reverend Cyprian, Dr. Theol., is money he would receive from the Metropolitan of Oropos and Fili and President of faithful he would distribute to the Holy Synod in Resistancepoor, Orthodox Church of Greece. He is the spiritual son of the renowned Elder Philotheos.</ref>. This letter is considered of extreme historical importance in widows and the Orthodox Church since it is written in defence of his spiritual father, St. Nectarios of Aeginaorphans.

:In On the year morning of our Lord 1976[[May 8]], 1980, when seven years had already passed since we aligned ourselves with the Old Calendar movement on account blessed Elder Philotheos died in his cell at Thapsana, Paros. His funeral was conducted by Archimandrite Dionysios of ecumenism [[Simonopetra Monastery (1969Athos), we dedicated an entire issue |Simonopetra Monastery]] of our periodical '''Άγιος Κυπριανός (No[[Mount Athos|Mt Athos]]. 87 His [[March 1976relics]], pp. 97-102)''' were laid to refuting rest at the slanders against St. Nectarios of Aegina (1846-1920) contained convent in a blasphemous book. This most blasphemous book—which was, unfortunatelyParos, the first in a series of similar ones—wasplace that he chose beside the chapel dedicated to his spiritual mentor, in essence, nothing more than a farrago of invectives, slander, and suspect historical evidenceSt. It was written in a supercilious style and contained scurrilous expressions and was full [[Nectarios of provocativeness, animosity, prejudice, curses, anathemas, and distortions. That same March, in 1976, we had the especial blessing of receiving a very valuable letter, full of godly and prophetic zeal, from the ever-memorable Elder Philotheos Aegina]] (Zervakos[[November 9]]), who—as the Confessor of our spiritual Father, His Eminence, Metropolitan Cyprian—had given his blessing for us to join the Old Calendar movement and had encouraged us, in our further journey, with many and various letters, which we are intending to make public in due time.

:For <!---==A contemporary miracle==He was imprisoned twice by the time being, on Turks during the occasion final years of the commemoration Ottoman occupation of StThessaloniki. Nectarios On the Wonderworker (9 November)second occasion, we are publishing that momentous letter of multifaceted importance he had sailed to Thessaloniki to venerate the relics of St. Demetrios. At the most saintly Elder of Parosport, which he wrote, exactly four years before his holy repose (25 April 1980 [Old Style]), in defense of Stwas taken to be a spy and put under surveillance. Nectarios He was later arrested and imprisoned when he went to express to us his heartfelt joy over our aforementioned publicationleave the city and was passing through customs.'' <ref> * Source: Άγιος Κυπριανός, No. 323 (November-December 2004), pp. 114-116 </ref>

::'Father Philothos asked another man what his crime was. --->==Relationships==* St. [[Nectarios of Aegina]], 1846-1920. ([[November 9]])* St. 'Papa'Holy Monastery [[Nicholas (Planas)]] of LongovardaAthens, 27 1851-1932. ([[March 1976''' 2]])::'''To my spiritual son in the Lord* Blessed Papa-[[Dimitri (Gagastathis)]], Archimandrite Cyprian, joy and happiness1902-1975.'''

::==Quotes==#''Last November"I am proud of the cassock I wear and consider it more valuable and seemly than every other kind of garment, on even than the Feast Day royal purple robes of Stkings. NectariosI consider myself unworthy to dress in such a modest, honorable and holy garb, which was honored by numberless monastic saints, hieromartryrs, confessors and holy ones. I went to am saddened by and pity those clerics who reject the Holy Monastery of cassock and who shave their beards."''#''"In this present evil generation, the Panagia Myrtidiotissaspiritual father must use oeconomy, for, is he implements exactness (akrívia), none, or only a few, of those coming to the venerable Church confession would be found worthy of our Father among the Saintsreceiving Holy Communion. The greatest care and discernment is necessary, Nectarioshowever, and the spiritual father must pray fervently to the heavenly God and Father to me in my youth, instructor in my spiritual life, and guide in my monastic life, and I celebrated his Feast Day, 9 Novemberenlighten him as to how to implement oeconomy."''

::About forty days earlier, I had been given the blasphemous book ==Sources==*''The Blessed Elder Philotheos Zervakos'' by the proud, derangedS. Kementzentzidis, and demonized Abbess Magdalenetrans. I was distressed by Palis and at a loss as to how a woman—and a nunChalice, at that—could reach the point that she would crudely revile the most saintly of men, among the adulterous and perverse generation of our day, with invectives that even the worst and most malicious woman would spout only against the worst and vilest criminal.  :Thessaloniki:I found the answer to my question when I remembered that our Lady and Theotokos Mary, on account of her utmost and immeasurable humility, became the dwelling-place of God. Abbess Magdalene, on account of her immeasurable pride, has become the dwelling-place of the prince of darkness, Beelzebub1986. ::Nectarios, through his great humility, fervent faith, and wholehearted love, and through prayer, fasting, and vigils, was vouchsafed Heavenly gifts*''Blessed Elder Philotheos Zervakos'' by C. Abbess Magdalene, through her great prideCavarnos, received from the prince of darkness demonic gifts - envy, lies, slander, etc.Seeing and hearing the miracles that St. Nectarios performed, and performs Institute for all who call on him with faith Byzantine and piety, even for the New Calendarists (though she is with the Old CalendarModern Greek Studies, which she has so struggled to honorBelmont, and this as if she were above all the Hierarchs and Patriarchs and Synods), she has professed that the Holy Spirit, Whom the New Calendarists call upon in all of their Mysteries, does not descend because of the absence of the Old Calendar, and, subsequently, their Mysteries are invalid; and the New Calendarists, when partaking of the Mystery of Holy Communion, do not eat the Body of Christ and do not drink the Blood of Christ, but common bread and wineMA: 1993. They eat straw-and grass.  ::Oh, what impiety *''A Great and insanity! Alas, Wondrous Pilgrimages to what heights of impiety Palestine and insanity pride impels wretched man. It renders him like unto its fatherSinai, the Devil. And it renders Magdalene higher than the DevilWayferer'' by P. For the Devil said, I will be equal to the Most High. But Magdalene is higher than God.And, as one mad, on the last page of her blasphemous and most impious book, the most audacious, most wretched, most irreverent, and most wicked oneZervakos, as one enraged and demonized, having vomited forth abuse on St1925. Nectarios, also turns to Almighty God, the Creator and Maker of all things visible and invisible, and says to him: “Hearken, O Heaven, and give ear, O earth!

::May all who recognize Nectarios Kephalas as a Saint have ===Writings===* From the curse and anathema Holy Monastery of the aforementioned Fathers and the Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical SynodPanagia Myrtidiotissa, Elder Philotheos wrote a well-known [[apologetics|apologetic]] in 1976 addressed to Archimandrite Cyprian. Amen!”The First to recognize Nectarios as a Saint is God<ref>The most reverend Cyprian, Dr. God showed him to be a SaintTheol. It , is the will Metropolitan of God for all of us to become Saints: “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” And elsewhere He says: “I said ye are gods Oropos and Fili and all are sons President of the Most High.” Elsewhere again, [[Holy Synod in the GospelResistance]], He says: “Without me ye can do nothingOrthodox Church of Greece.” He says these things so that we might always be humble and always have a humble attitude. For is the Lord resists the proud, but to the humble He gives Gracespiritual son of Elder Philotheos.God rendered St</ref> This letter (cf. Nectarios wondrous, as David chants: “In External links) is considered of extreme historical importance in the Saints that are Orthodox Church since it is written in His earth hath the Lord been wondrous.” Not so Magdalenedefense of his spiritual father, whom Satan corrupted! “Whosoever acknowledges St. Nectarios as a Saint, let him be accursed!” Truly, she knows not what she saysof Aegina.* Sacred War Against Blasphemy. May God restore her to her right mind* The Errors of [[Apostolos Makrakis]].

::----::I was sick at heart in those days, fearing lest the fanatic Old Calendarists had deceived you into accepting their blasphemous and impious belief that the Mysteries of the New Calendarists are invalid because they do not follow the Old Calendar.The Old Calendar is not God, nor the Holy Spirit. It is Tradition, which they ought not to have despised; they ought to have respected it. They did not entirely reject it, however, as the Iconoclasts rejected the Icons and burned them. They did not cast the Saints out of the Church, they did not burn the calendar, they did not deny God, the Mysteries, or the Holy Spirit  ::The Holy Fathers, who prescribed that the Feast of Pascha be celebrated according to the Julian Calendar, did not tell us: “With that [the Julian Calendar] you will celebrate the Mysteries; with that you will be saved; if you have that you are able to commit all manner of sins, to cast aside love, to have enemies amongst yourselves, to insult one another, to accuse one another, to anathematize one another, to beat one another, even inside Churches—you are free. You can do all of this, just as long as you keep the Old Calendar.”The Holy Fathers who prescribed the Old Calendar did not become Saints because they kept the Old Calendar. They became Saints because they kept the Orthodox Faith, love, humility, and the other virtues.  ::----::While I was in a sorrowful state and was considering writing to you to be careful to guard yourselves from the errors of various heretics, including the over-zealous and fanatic Old Calendarists, I was forestalled by the arrival of your religious periodical ÜAgiow KuprianÒw, which you dedicated to proclaiming boldly the truth about St. Nectarios, severely criticized the blasphemous book of the most irreverent, demonized reviler of St. Nectarios, whom God glorified while he was alive and after death, on earth and in Heaven, to the disgrace of the visible and invisible enemies who hate him and to the rejoicing of the Faithful who honor, glorify, and celebrate him.The joy, my spiritual child, which you gave me by your defense of the truth and of my holy spiritual Father, may the Lord also grant to you a thousandfold in the time of the just recompense, vouchsafing you and your little flock, through the intercessions of His All-Immaculate Mother, of Sts. Cyprian, Justina, Nectarios, and of all the Saints, the Heavenly Kingdom and the eternal good things, whereof may we all be counted worthy. Amen. :::With paternal love and heartfelt wishes, :::Archimandrite Philotheos Zervakos'' ===References===

== Known Relationships External links==* Saint Nectarios [http://www.synodinresistance.org/Theology_en/E3f2003aGerFilotheos-Biograf.pdf Biography of the Venerable Elder of AeginaParos, 1846 - 1920.Archimandrite Philotheos (Zervakos)]* Saint 'Papa' Nicholas [http://www.synodinresistance.org/Theology_en/E3a3b004AgNektariosAK323.pdf Elder Philotheos (PlanasZervakos) Defends His Spiritual Father, St. Nectarios of Aegina: A Momentous Letter of AthensHistoric Importance (PDF)] Άγιος Κυπριανός, 1851 No. 323 (November- 1932December 2004), pp.* Blessed Papa Dimitri Gagastathis, 1902 114- 1975116. ==External Sources==* [[http://www.roca.org/OA/147-148/147e.htm Orthodox America - Elder Philotheos Zervakos]] ==Sources==* The Blessed [http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/desperate.aspx A Desperate Appeal by the Elder Philotheos] by St. Philotheos Zervakos by S Kementzentzidis, trans*[http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/paternalcounsels.aspx Excerpts from Paternal Counsels, Vol. I and II] by Palis and Chalice, Thessaloniki 1986St. Philotheos Zervakos* [http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/zervakos_repose.aspx Not on the New Calendar!: The Repose of the Blessed Elder Philotheos Zervakos by C. Cavarnos, Institute for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, Belmont MA 1993]

[[Category:Greek SaintsElders]]