The Monk Gerasimos
Commemorated on October 20
The
Monk Gerasimos was born in the village of Trikala in the Peloponessus. Upon
reaching maturity he withdrew to the island of Zakina for a monastic life. On
the Holy Mountain he became a schema-monk and studied with the ascetics of
Athos. Having received blessing from the elders, the monk set off to Jerusalem
to worship at the Lifebearing Grave of the Saviour. Having made the rounds of
the holy places, visiting Mount Sinai, Antioch, Damascus, Alexandria and Egypt,
he returned to Jerusalem where he became a a candle-lighter at the Sepulchre of
the Lord. The monk was ordained by the blessed Patriarch of Jerusalem, Germanos
(1534-1579), to the diaconate, and then to the priesthood. The Monk Gerasimos
did not slacken in deeds of prayer. For quietude he withdrew to Jordan, where he
spent 40 days without respite. Having received the Patriarch's blessing for a
life of silence, the monk Gerasimos withdrew Zakinthos. He dwelt there in
solitude for 5 years, nourishing himself on vegetation. At an inspiration from
above he went to the island of Cephalonia and on to Omal, and having restored a
church he founded a women's monastery at which he dwelt for 30 years in
constant toil, vigil, and prayer on bended knee stretched out upon the
earth.For his exalted life he was vouchsafed of God a miraculous gift – to
heal the sick and cast out unclean spirits. The Monk Gerasimos, aware of his
impending end for several days, gave his blessing to the nuns and peacefully
expired to the Lord on 15 August 1579, at 71 years of age. When his grave was opened
two years later, his holy relics were found undecayed and exuding fragrance,
and were curative.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.