Changes

{{cleanup[[image:Philotheos_Zervakos.jpg|thumb|Philotheos Zervakos]]Blessed Elder [[Archimandrite]] '''Philotheos Zervakos''' of Longovarda (1884-1980) is a well-known 20th-century [[Church of Greece|Convert Greek Orthodox]] elder, from list into paragraphsParos 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.}}

==Life==Blessed Elder Archimandrite Philotheos (Zervakos) was born in the small and remote village of Pakia in Sparti, Peloponesse, Greece , in the year 1884 in the small village of Pakia,the Peloponese called Pakia 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. At By this stage, Father Fr. Philotheos had the reputation of a Saintsaint. In 1934, he makes made another pilgrimage, this time to Constantinople. He founds returned to Greece and founded the [[convent ]] of the Theotokos [[Panagia Myrtidiotissa|Myrtidiotissa]] ''Thapsanon'' (The Virgin of the Myrtle Tree) in , 4 km from Lefkes on the island of Paros, Greece.

In 1976 he writes a well known Apologetic addressed Throughout his life, the Elder preaches the word of God and heard confessions for 68 years (1912 to Archimandrite Cyprian <ref> 11978). The most reverend CyprianDuring this time, Dr. Theol., is he visited the Metropolitan islands of Oropos and Fili and President of the Holy Synod in ResistanceParos, Antiparos, Naxos, Amorgos, Thera, Syros, Tinos, Andros, Sifnos, Patmos, Rhodes, Chios, Mytilene, Aegina, Hydra, Cyprus, Kefallinia, Zakynthos, Evoia, Skiathos, Orthodox Church of GreecePrigippos. He is the spiritual son of the renowned Elder Philotheosalso visited over 54 cities and towns throughout Greece, including Athens, Sparta, Corinth, Thessaloniki etc.</ref>and internationally including Alexandria, Cairo, Constantinople, Holy Monastery of Panagia Myrtidiotissa.Suez etc

In 1980 During his life, he built 12 churches, two monasteries, three cemeteries and two schools. The money he would receive from the blessed Elder Philotheos dies on the morning of [[May 8]]. His funeral was conducted by Archimandrite Dionysios of Simonopetra Monastery of Mt Athos. His relics were laid faithful he would distribute to rest at the convent in Parospoor, in a place that he chose beside the chapel dedicated to his spiritual mentor, Saint Nexktarios of Aegina [[November 9]]widows and the orphans.

He is classified as 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 Modern Orthodox Saint in place that he chose beside the Greek Orthodox Churchchapel dedicated to his spiritual mentor, St. [[Nectarios of Aegina]] ([[November 9]]).

<!---==ReferencesA contemporary miracle==<references /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."''

== Known Relationships Sources==* Saint Nectarios of Aegina''The Blessed Elder Philotheos Zervakos'' by S. Kementzentzidis, 1846 - 1920trans. by Palis and Chalice, Thessaloniki: 1986.* Saint 'Papa' Nicholas (Planas) of AthensBlessed Elder Philotheos Zervakos'' by C. Cavarnos, 1851 - 1932Institute for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, Belmont, MA: 1993.* Blessed Papa Dimitri Gagastathis''A Great and Wondrous Pilgrimages to Palestine and Sinai, the Wayferer'' by P. Zervakos, 1902 - 19751925.

==External Sources=References===* [[http://www.roca.org/OA/147-148<references /147e.htm Orthodox America - Elder Philotheos Zervakos]]>

==SourcesExternal links==* The Blessed [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 by S Kementzentzidis) Defends His Spiritual Father, transSt. Nectarios of Aegina: A Momentous Letter of Historic Importance (PDF)] Άγιος Κυπριανός, by Palis and ChaliceNo. 323 (November-December 2004), Thessaloniki 1986pp. 114-116. * Blessed [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 CSt. Philotheos Zervakos*[http://www.orthodoxinfo. Cavarnoscom/praxis/paternalcounsels.aspx Excerpts from Paternal Counsels, Institute for Byzantine Vol. I and Modern Greek Studies, Belmont MA 1993II] 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:Greek SaintsElders]]