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Philotheos (Zervakos) of Paros

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* [[image:Philotheos_Zervakos.jpg|thumb|Philotheos Zervakos]]Blessed Elder [[Archimandrite ]] '''Philotheos Zervakos''' of Longovarda (Zervakos1884-1980) was born 1884.:: He was from is a small village well-known 20th-century [[Church of the Peloponese called Pakia Greece|Greek Orthodox]] elder, from Paros island, and was given the name spiritual son of Constantine at his Holy BaptismSt.:: From childhood he demonstrated an exceptional love for God[[Nektarios of Aegina]].* In 1912, April 22, Father Philotheos was ordained to the priesthood.:: He was ordained imprisoned twice by Metropolitan Gabriel of Trifilia and Olympia.* In 1924, he made an extensive pilgrimage to the Holy 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 Philotheos succeeded him as abbot of Longovarda.:: At this stage, Father Philotheos had Turks during the reputation final years of a Saint.* In 1934, he makes another pilgrimage, this time to Constantinople.* He founds the convent Ottoman occupation of Thessaloniki and many have witnessed the Theotokos saint to "Myrtidiotissafloat/walk on air" (of the Myrtle Tree) in Paros.* 1976 - Writes an Apologetic.:: Addressed to Archimandrite Cyprian, Holy Monastery of Panagia Myrtidiotissa. Metropolitan Cyprian of Oropos and Fili, is also the spiritual son of Eldress Myrtidiotissa.* 1980 - Blessed Elder Philotheos (Zervakos) dies on the morning of Although he has not been [[May 8glorification|glorified]].:: His funeral was conducted by Archimandrite Dionysios of Simonopetra Monastery of Mt Athos.:: His relics were laid to rest at the convent in Paros, in he is considered a place that he chose beside the chapel dedicated to his spiritual mentor, Saint Nexktarios of Aegina [[November 9saint]]in Greece.
==Life==
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 [[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 [[Metropolitan]] Gabriel of Trifilia and Olympia. In 1924, he made an extensive [[pilgrimage]] to the [[Holy Land]] and Egypt. This is classified as a Modern Orthodox Saintall described in his book published in 1925, ''Great and Wondrous Pilgrimages to Palestine and Sinai''.
== Known Relationships ==* Saint Nectarios In 1930, Elder Ierotheos reposed, and Fr. Philotheos succeeded him as [[abbot]] of Longovarda. By this stage, Fr. Philotheos had the reputation of Aeginaa saint. In 1934, he made another pilgrimage, 1846 - 1920this time to Constantinople.* Saint He returned to Greece and founded the [[convent]] of [[Panagia Myrtidiotissa]] ''Thapsanon'Papa' Nicholas (PlanasThe Virgin of the Myrtle Tree) , 4 km from Lefkes on the island of Athens, 1851 - 1932.* Blessed Papa Dimitri GagastathisParos, 1902 - 1975Greece.
Throughout his life, the Elder preaches the word of God and heard confessions for 68 years (1912 to 1978). During this time, he visited the islands of Paros, Antiparos, Naxos, Amorgos, Thera, Syros, Tinos, Andros, Sifnos, Patmos, Rhodes, Chios, Mytilene, Aegina, 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 During his life, he built 12 churches, two monasteries, three cemeteries and two schools. The money he would receive from the faithful he would distribute to the poor, the widows and the orphans. On the morning of [[May 8]], 1980, the blessed Elder Philotheos died in his cell at Thapsana, Paros. His funeral was conducted by Archimandrite Dionysios of [[Simonopetra Monastery (Athos)|Simonopetra Monastery]] 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 mentor, St. [[Nectarios of Aegina]] ([[November 9]]). <!---==A contemporary miracle==He was imprisoned twice by the Turks during the final years of the Ottoman occupation of Thessaloniki. On the second occasion, he had sailed to Thessaloniki to venerate the relics of St. Demetrios. At the port, he was taken to be a spy and put under surveillance. He was later arrested and imprisoned when he went to leave the city and was passing through customs.  Father Philothos asked another man what his crime was. --->==Relationships==* St. [[Nectarios of Aegina]], 1846-1920. ([[November 9]])* St. 'Papa' [[Nicholas (Planas)]] of Athens, 1851-1932. ([[March 2]])* Blessed Papa-[[Dimitri (Gagastathis)]], 1902-1975. ==Quotes==#''"I am proud of the cassock I wear and consider it more valuable and seemly than every other kind of garment, even than the royal purple robes of kings. I 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 am saddened by and pity those clerics who reject the cassock and who shave their beards."''#''"In this present evil generation, the spiritual father must use oeconomy, for, is he implements exactness (akrívia), none, or only a few, of those coming to confession would be found worthy of receiving Holy Communion. The greatest care and discernment is necessary, however, and the spiritual father must pray fervently to the heavenly God and Father to enlighten him as to how to implement oeconomy."'' ==Sources==*''The Blessed Elder Philotheos Zervakos'' by S. Kementzentzidis, trans. by Palis and Chalice, Thessaloniki: 1986. *''Blessed Elder Philotheos Zervakos'' by C. Cavarnos, Institute for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, Belmont, MA: 1993.*''A Great and Wondrous Pilgrimages to Palestine and Sinai, the Wayferer'' by P. Zervakos, 1925. ===Writings===* From the Holy Monastery of Panagia Myrtidiotissa, Elder Philotheos wrote a well-known [[apologetics|apologetic]] in 1976 addressed to Archimandrite Cyprian.<ref>The most reverend Cyprian, Dr. Theol., is the Metropolitan of Oropos and Fili and President of the [[Holy Synod in Resistance]], Orthodox Church of Greece. He is the spiritual son of Elder Philotheos.</ref> This letter (cf. External links) is considered of extreme historical importance in the Orthodox Church since it is written in defense of his spiritual father, St. Nectarios of Aegina.* Sacred War Against Blasphemy.* The Errors of [[Apostolos Makrakis]]. ===References===<references /> ==External links==*[http://www.synodinresistance.org/Theology_en/E3f2003aGerFilotheos-Biograf.pdf Biography of the Venerable Elder of Paros, Archimandrite Philotheos (Zervakos)]*[http://www.synodinresistance.org/Theology_en/E3a3b004AgNektariosAK323.pdf Elder Philotheos (Zervakos) Defends His Spiritual Father, St. Nectarios of Aegina: A Momentous Letter of Historic Importance (PDF)] Άγιος Κυπριανός, No. 323 (November-December 2004), pp. 114-116.*[http://www.roca.org/OA/147-148/147e.htm Orthodox America - Elder Philotheos Zervakos]*[http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/desperate.aspx A Desperate Appeal by the Elder Philotheos] by St. Philotheos Zervakos*[http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/paternalcounsels.aspx Excerpts from Paternal Counsels, Vol. I and II] by St. Philotheos Zervakos*[http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/zervakos_repose.aspx Not on the New Calendar!: The Repose of the Blessed Elder Philotheos Zervakos] [[Category: MonasticMonastics]][[Category: Greek SaintElders]]
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