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==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. From childhood he demonstrated an exceptional love for God.
In 1912, April 22, Father Philotheos was ordained to the priesthood by the '''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 By this stage, Father Philotheos had the reputation of a Saint. In 1934, he makes another pilgrimage, this time to Constantinople. He returns to Greece and founds the convent of the Theotokos [[Panagia Myrtidiotissa|Myrtidiotissa]] '''Thapsanon''' (The Virgin of the Myrtle Tree) in 4km from Lefkes on the island of Paros, Greece.
In 1976 he writes a well known Apologetic addressed to Archimandrite Cyprian <ref> 1. 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 the renowned Elder Philotheos.</ref>, from the Holy Monastery of Panagia Myrtidiotissa.
In 1980 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 to rest at the convent in Paros, in a place that he chose beside the chapel dedicated to his spiritual mentor, Saint Nexktarios of Aegina [[November 9]].
