Μητέρα Χριστοφορα μοναστήρι saint kendeas

 

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Ο Άγιος Άνθιμος και ο Δίκαιος Τούρκος Διοικητής

Πριν από τη γερμανική κατοχή, ο Άγιος Άνθιμος γνώρισε έναν Τούρκο διοικητή που ξεχώριζε για τη δικαιοσύνη και τη φιλανθρωπία του. Παρότι ήταν μουσουλμάνος, αγαπούσε την ειρήνη, βοηθούσε χήρες, ορφανά και φτωχούς, επισκεύαζε χριστιανικούς ναούς και δεν επέτρεπε στους στρατιώτες του να αδικούν ή να κακομεταχειρίζονται τον τοπικό πληθυσμό.

Η αρετή αυτού του ανθρώπου συγκίνησε βαθιά τον Άγιο Άνθιμο. Αναρωτήθηκε πώς είναι δυνατόν ένας τόσο δίκαιος άνθρωπος να χαθεί μόνο και μόνο επειδή δεν είχε βαπτιστεί στην Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία.

Έτσι, νήστεψε και προσευχήθηκε επί μία ολόκληρη εβδομάδα, παρακαλώντας τον Χριστό να του αποκαλύψει την κατάσταση της ψυχής του μετά τον θάνατό του.

Σύμφωνα με τη διήγηση, ο Άγιος είδε τον διοικητή σε οπτασία μέσα σε έναν τόπο φωτεινό και ειρηνικό. Ο διοικητής του είπε ότι βρίσκεται σε τόπο μακαριότητας, όχι όμως στον Παράδεισο της Ορθοδοξίας, και ότι ο Θεός έχει ετοιμάσει διαφορετικούς τόπους για τους δικαίους και ενάρετους ανθρώπους.

Το περιστατικό αυτό υπενθυμίζει ότι η κρίση ανήκει αποκλειστικά στον Θεό. Εκείνος γνωρίζει τις καρδιές όλων των ανθρώπων, τη δικαιοσύνη, την ειλικρίνεια και τα έργα τους. Η Εκκλησία μάς καλεί να ζούμε μέσα στην αλήθεια της πίστεως, αφήνοντας όμως την τελική κρίση στο άπειρο έλεος και τη δικαιοσύνη του Θεού.

«Ο Θεός είναι δίκαιος και ελεήμων. Γνωρίζει την καρδιά κάθε ανθρώπου.»

🇬🇧 English

Saint Anthimos and the Just Turkish Governor

Before the German occupation, Saint Anthimos became acquainted with a Turkish governor who was widely known for his justice and compassion. Although he was a Muslim, he cared for widows, orphans, and the poor, helped restore Christian churches, and never allowed his soldiers to mistreat the local population.

The governor’s virtue deeply moved Saint Anthimos. He wondered how such a righteous man could be lost simply because he had not been baptized into the Orthodox Church.

Saint Anthimos therefore fasted and prayed for an entire week, asking Christ to reveal the condition of the governor’s soul after death.

According to the account, the saint was granted a vision in which he saw the governor in a place of light and blessedness. The governor explained that he was in a place of blessed repose, though not in the Paradise of the Orthodox, and that God has prepared different places for righteous and virtuous people.

This story reminds us that the final judgment belongs to God alone. He alone knows every human heart, every intention, and every act of justice and mercy. The Orthodox Church calls us to remain faithful to the true faith while entrusting every soul to God’s perfect justice and infinite mercy.

“God is just and merciful. He knows the heart of every person.”

🇷🇺 Русский

Святой Анфим и справедливый турецкий губернатор

До немецкой оккупации святой Анфим познакомился с турецким губернатором, который отличался необыкновенной справедливостью и милосердием. Хотя он был мусульманином, он помогал вдовам, сиротам и бедным, восстанавливал христианские храмы и не позволял своим солдатам притеснять местных жителей.

Добродетель этого человека глубоко тронула святого Анфима. Он задумался, неужели такой праведный человек может погибнуть только потому, что не был крещён в Православной Церкви.

Тогда святой Анфим постился и непрестанно молился целую неделю, прося Христа открыть ему участь души этого человека после смерти.

Согласно этому рассказу, святому было дано видение, в котором он увидел губернатора в месте света и блаженства. Тот сказал, что находится в месте блаженного покоя, хотя и не в православном Раю, и что Бог приготовил различные места для праведных и добродетельных людей.

Этот рассказ напоминает нам, что окончательный суд принадлежит одному Богу. Только Он знает сердце каждого человека, его намерения, праведность и дела милосердия. Православная Церковь призывает нас хранить истинную веру, доверяя окончательный суд совершенной справедливости и бесконечному милосердию Божию.

«Бог справедлив и милостив. Он знает сердце каждого человека.»

 The Roman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church claims that it never changes. However, critics argue that it has introduced doctrines that are not found in the Bible and has adopted various rites and ceremonies that they believe originated in pagan practices. Some writers have claimed that as much as 75% of the customs and ceremonies of the Roman Church have pagan origins.

Examples often cited include the manner of making the Sign of the Cross, prayers addressed to angels, and the doctrine of Purgatory, which some attribute to developments associated with Pope Gregory I in the 6th century.

The Papacy is also claimed by some critics to have pagan origins. The title “Pope”, meaning “father,” is given to the Bishop of Rome, the leader of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church. In Matthew 23:9, Jesus says: “Call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, who is in heaven.” Critics interpret this passage as a warning against using the title “father” for spiritual leaders.

Jesus did not appoint Peter as the supreme leader of the apostles, and passages such as Luke 22:24–26, Ephesians 1:22–23, Colossians 1:18, and 1 Corinthians 3:11 are often cited in support of this view.

The practice of kissing the Pope’s feet emerged during the 8th century. Critics note that kissing the feet of emperors was also a custom in the pagan Roman Empire and point to Acts 10:25–26, Revelation 19:10, and Revelation 22:9 as passages discouraging such acts of veneration.

In AD 1870, Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of papal infallibility. Critics consider this doctrine to be blasphemous and associate it with the apostasy and the Antichrist described by the Apostle Paul. They commonly cite 2 Thessalonians 2:2–12, Revelation 17:1–9, and Revelation 13:5–8, 18. Some writers have also claimed that the number of the beast (666) can be derived from the Latin papal title “Vicarius Filii Dei.”

The titles “Ocean Star” and “Star of the Sea” have also been discussed by some writers, who argue that they were associated with the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis.

Regarding the apparitions reported at Medjugorje, some critics argue that the figure who appeared to the visionaries—claiming to be a mediator between humanity and God, requesting feasts in her honour, and encouraging the daily recitation of the Rosary—could not have been Mary, the humble and blessed servant of God who gave birth to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. They cite 2 Corinthians 11:14, which warns that Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light.

The Word of God calls His people to come out of Babylon:

“Come out of her, my people, so that you do not share in her sins, and so that you do not receive her plagues.” (Revelation 18:4)

The article concludes that true Christians should remain faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught in the Holy Scriptures and heed the warning of the Apostle Paul:

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8)

 Περιγραφή της αληθινής μορφής

του Ιησού Χριστού απο τη Γερόντισσα Γαλακτία

Η Γερόντισσα Γαλακτία της Κρήτης περιέγραψε την αληθινή μορφή του Ιησού Χριστού, όπως Εκείνος της εμφανίστηκε μέσα στο Άπλετο Φως, με πολύ συγκεκριμένα και καθηλωτικά χαρακτηριστικά.Σύμφωνα με τις μαρτυρίες και τα όσα έχουν καταγραφεί στο βιβλίο για τη ζωή της, η μορφή του Χριστού περιγράφεται ως εξής:

Τα φυσικά χαρακτηριστικά του Χριστού

Μάτια: Γαλάζια.

Μαλλιά: Καστανόξανθα.

Γένια: Διχαλωτά (χωρισμένα στα δύο).

Ανάστημα: Μέτριο ύψος με απόλυτα συμμετρικό σώμα.

Η πνευματική και υπερκόσμια διάσταση

Το Φως: Ο Υιός του Θεού φαίνεται καθαρά μέσα στο κοινό 

Φως της Αγίας Τριάδας 

και ο ίδιος εκπέμπει (βγάζει) ένα συγκλονιστικό Φως.

Οι πληγές του Σταυρού: Ο Χριστός φέρει πάνω Του τις πληγές από τη Σταύρωση και τα αίματα. 

Η Γερόντισσα εξήγησε ότι οι πληγές αυτές παραμένουν «αθεράπευτες» για να Τον αναγνωρίζουμε, επειδή ιστορικά πολλοί άνθρωποι τον αποκάλεσαν «πλάνο», «μάγο» ή απλώς έναν «σοφό». Με τις πληγές αυτές αποδεικνύει ότι είναι ο αληθινός Υιός του Θεού που θυσιάστηκε.«Ὁ Υἱὸς φαίνεται, γιατὶ ἔγινε σὰν ἐμᾶς: Πῆρε ἀνθρώπινο σῶμα καὶ φαίνεται καθαρὰ νὰ βγάζει Φῶς! 

Ἔχει ἀθεράπευτες τὶς πληγὲς τοῦ Σταυροῦ γιὰ  να τον αναγνωρίσεις 

Description of the True Appearance of Jesus Christ
According to Gerontissa Galaktia

Gerontissa Galaktia of Crete described the true appearance of Jesus Christ as He appeared to her within the Uncreated Light, with very specific and striking characteristics. According to the testimonies and the accounts recorded in the book about her life, Christ appeared as follows:

The Physical Characteristics of Christ

• Eyes: Blue.
• Hair: Light brown (dark blond/light chestnut).
• Beard: Forked (divided into two parts).
• Stature: Medium height with a perfectly proportioned and symmetrical body.

The Spiritual and Heavenly Dimension

The Light:
The Son of God is seen clearly within the common Light of the Holy Trinity, and He Himself radiates an overwhelming, awe-inspiring Light.

The Wounds of the Crucifixion:
Christ bears upon Himself the wounds of the Crucifixion and the marks of His shed Blood.

Gerontissa Galaktia explained that these wounds remain “unhealed” so that we may recognize Him, because throughout history many people called Him a deceiver, a magician, or merely a wise teacher. Through these wounds, He reveals that He is the true Son of God who sacrificed Himself for the salvation of the world.

“The Son is visible because He became like us: He took on a human body, and He is clearly seen radiating Light! He bears the unhealed wounds of the Cross…”

🇬🇷 Τα Φιδάκια της Παναγίας – Ένα μοναδικό θαύμα της Κεφαλονιάς

 🇬🇷 Τα Φιδάκια της Παναγίας – Ένα μοναδικό θαύμα της Κεφαλονιάς

Κάθε χρόνο, από τις αρχές έως τις 15 Αυγούστου, στο χωριό Μαρκόπουλο της Κεφαλονιάς, εμφανίζεται ένα από τα πιο γνωστά και μυστηριώδη φαινόμενα της Ορθόδοξης παράδοσης: τα λεγόμενα «Φιδάκια της Παναγίας».

Μικρά, ακίνδυνα φίδια με χαρακτηριστικό σταυρό στο κεφάλι και συχνά έναν ακόμη σταυρό στη γλώσσα τους εμφανίζονται μέσα και γύρω από τον Ιερό Ναό της Κοιμήσεως της Θεοτόκου. Οι πιστοί τα κρατούν στα χέρια τους χωρίς φόβο, θεωρώντας τα σημείο της ευλογίας και της προστασίας της Παναγίας.

Σύμφωνα με την τοπική παράδοση, όταν πειρατές επιτέθηκαν στο μοναστήρι πριν από αιώνες, οι μοναχές προσευχήθηκαν στην Παναγία να τις προστατεύσει. Εκείνη εισάκουσε την προσευχή τους και μεταμόρφωσε τις μοναχές σε φίδια, ώστε να σωθούν από τους επιδρομείς. Από τότε, τα φίδια εμφανίζονται κάθε χρόνο τις ημέρες της εορτής της Παναγίας.

Για τους Ορθόδοξους πιστούς, το φαινόμενο αποτελεί μια ιδιαίτερη ευλογία και υπενθύμιση της προστασίας της Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου. Είτε κάποιος το προσεγγίζει ως θαύμα είτε ως ένα σπάνιο φυσικό φαινόμενο που συνδέθηκε με την τοπική παράδοση, τα Φιδάκια της Παναγίας συνεχίζουν να συγκινούν και να προσελκύουν χιλιάδες προσκυνητές και επισκέπτες από όλο τον κόσμο.

🇬🇧 The Snakes of the Virgin Mary – A Unique Tradition of Kefalonia

Every year, from early August until August 15, the village of Markopoulo on the Greek island of Kefalonia becomes the setting for one of the most remarkable traditions associated with Orthodox Christianity: the “Snakes of the Virgin Mary.”

Small, harmless snakes, distinguished by a cross-shaped marking on their heads and, according to many witnesses, another cross-like marking on their tongues, appear inside and around the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos. Pilgrims often hold them without fear, regarding them as a sign of the Virgin Mary’s blessing and protection.

According to local tradition, centuries ago, when pirates attacked the monastery, the nuns prayed to the Virgin Mary for deliverance. Their prayers were answered, and they were transformed into snakes, escaping the invaders. Since then, these snakes are said to appear every year during the feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos.

For many Orthodox Christians, this annual event is regarded as a special sign of the Virgin Mary’s protection and care. Whether viewed as a miracle of faith or as a rare natural phenomenon closely linked with local tradition, the Snakes of the Virgin Mary continue to inspire awe and attract thousands of pilgrims and visitors from around the world.

The Orthodox Teaching on the Soul After Death

Η Ορθόδοξη Διδασκαλία για την Ψυχή μετά τον Θάνατο

Η Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία απορρίπτει το Ρωμαιοκαθολικό δόγμα του Καθαρτηρίου, σύμφωνα με το οποίο υπάρχει ένας τόπος ή μία κατάσταση προσωρινής τιμωρίας, όπου οι ψυχές ικανοποιούν τη θεία δικαιοσύνη.

Σύμφωνα με την Ορθόδοξη διδασκαλία, μετά τον θάνατο η ψυχή περνά από την Ιδιαίτερη Κρίση και γεύεται μια πρόγευση της αιώνιας κατάστασής της, αναμένοντας τη Δευτέρα Παρουσία και την Τελική Κρίση.

Η Ιερά Παράδοση της Εκκλησίας αναφέρεται επίσης στα Τελώνια, δηλαδή στην πνευματική δοκιμασία της ψυχής και στη συνάντησή της με τις δαιμονικές κατηγορίες και το θείο έλεος. Η διδασκαλία αυτή απαντά στα έργα πολλών Αγίων Πατέρων και Αγίων της Εκκλησίας. Παρότι δεν έχει ορισθεί ως δόγμα από Οικουμενική Σύνοδο, αποτελεί βαθιά ριζωμένη πτυχή της ορθόδοξης πνευματικής παράδοσης.

Η Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία προσεύχεται για τους κεκοιμημένους εξαιτίας του απείρου ελέους του Θεού, όχι επειδή οι ψυχές εξοφλούν κάποια νομική ποινή σε ένα σύστημα καθαρτηρίου.

Η Ορθοδοξία κατανοεί τη σωτηρία ως θεραπεία και κάθαρση της ψυχής μέσω της μετανοίας, της χάριτος του Θεού και της ένωσης με τον Ιησού Χριστό, και όχι ως εξόφληση ενός μεταθανάτιου χρέους.

Για τους Ορθόδοξους Χριστιανούς, δώρο του Θεού δεν είναι το Καθαρτήριο, αλλά ο ίδιος ο Χριστός. Η πορεία της ψυχής μετά τον θάνατο αποτελεί μια βαθιά πνευματική πραγματικότητα που καλεί κάθε άνθρωπο σε μετάνοια, πίστη και ζωή ενωμένη με τον Χριστό.

The Orthodox Church rejects the Roman Catholic doctrine of Purgatory as a place or state of temporary punishment where souls satisfy divine justice.

According to Orthodox teaching, after death the soul undergoes the Particular Judgment and experiences a foretaste of its eternal state while awaiting the Final Judgment.

Orthodox Holy Tradition also speaks of the Toll Houses (Telonia)—the soul’s spiritual encounter with demonic accusations and divine judgment. This teaching is found in the writings of many Holy Fathers and Saints. Although it has never been defined as a dogma by an Ecumenical Council, it remains a deeply rooted element of Orthodox spiritual tradition.

The Orthodox Church prays for the departed because of God’s infinite mercy, not because souls are paying off legal penalties in a purgatorial system.

Orthodoxy understands salvation as the healing and purification of the soul through repentance, God’s grace, and union with Jesus Christ, rather than as the payment of a legal debt after death.

For Orthodox Christians, Purgatory is not God’s gift—Christ Himself is God’s gift. The soul’s journey after death is a profound spiritual reality that calls every believer to repentance, faith, and a life united with Christ.

 

“The demons left growling in fury because I confessed my sin, and then the angels came

“…The third enemy of man is the devil, who binds us because of our sins, claiming what he considers his ‘rights’ before Christ. Even a single sin that remains unrepented and unconfessed is enough to bring condemnation. Let me tell you a true incident about this, because such stories remain in our memory.

I heard this account from a dear friend, a hieromonk, who personally witnessed it. Therefore, it is a genuine and trustworthy event from our own time.

He had gone to a hospital, where he met a priest friend of his who was deeply distressed.

‘Father, what is wrong?’ he asked.

The priest replied:

‘I have here the church caretaker who served in my parish for many years. He is also my spiritual child. He is now at the end of his earthly life. That, of course, is not what saddens me—we all know that one day we will come to this point. What truly grieves me is that, in these final moments of his life, he is seeing demons…’

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

When a person approaches the end of life, the veil between this world and the spiritual world begins to lift. According to the life one has lived, one may see either the holy angels coming to receive the soul, or the demons.

The fact that he was seeing demons was a very troubling sign.

The two priests went to see him and asked:

‘What do you see?’

He answered:

‘I see dark and terrifying beings standing beside me. They want to seize me, and they are mocking me. They keep looking at a piece of paper attached to my back, reading what is written on it and laughing. I also see the angels, but they do not dare enter the room. They stand sorrowfully at the doorway.’

Then God enlightened the priest, and he said:

‘Can you ask the angels to read what is written on the paper pinned to your back?’

The dying man became silent, as though he had withdrawn from the room. He murmured quietly for a few moments. Then he returned to full awareness and said:

‘Father, they told me what it says. It is a sin I committed in my youth. At the time, I was too ashamed to confess it, and later I forgot about it. It was a grave sin of the flesh.’

The priest then said:

‘Everyone, please step outside so he can confess his sin.’

The priest was also his confessor. The man confessed the forgotten sin, received absolution, and immediately everything changed.

They asked him again:

‘What do you see now?’

He replied:

‘The demons have left, growling in rage because I confessed my sin. The angels have now entered the room with great joy. And that paper which had been pinned to my back—I now see it pinned to your priestly stole.’

Do you understand what it means for the devil’s claims to be dissolved? Through Holy Confession, the devil loses every claim he has.

This man had left only one sin unconfessed, and the demons were ready to seize him. That is how we become spiritually bound. Therefore, never leave sins unconfessed for another time. You may forget them.

And what does it mean to say, ‘I am ashamed to confess my sin’?

(Should I then be condemned eternally for a single moment of shame?)

Saint John Chrysostom teaches that this shame comes from the devil. Be ashamed when you are about to commit the sin—not when you are about to reveal it, repent, and be set free.

Therefore, our spiritual struggle is also against the devil—against the claims he seeks to maintain over us, and against the bonds he places upon us through those claims.

Fr. Savvas the Athonite

Saint Paisios’ Prophecies About Turkey: A Spiritual Perspective

The image above presents several well-known sayings that are widely attributed to Saint Paisios the Athonite, one of the most revered Orthodox elders of the 20th century. According to Orthodox tradition and numerous testimonies, these prophecies describe major geopolitical changes that will take place in the region before a new era of peace.

Among the most frequently quoted statements are that Turkey will eventually be divided into three or four parts, that one-third of its population will perish in war, one-third will embrace Christianity after coming to know Christ, and the remaining one-third will migrate deeper into Asia. Another well-known saying attributed to Saint Paisios is that Constantinople will be returned to Greece—not because of Greek military victory, but through Divine Providence. He also spoke of a future conflict among the great powers, during which Turkey would suffer the consequences of its strategic position.

For many Orthodox Christians, these words are viewed as spiritual prophecies rather than political predictions. They are interpreted within the broader context of God’s providence, repentance, and the unfolding of history according to His divine will. Others regard them as part of the rich oral tradition surrounding Saint Paisios and approach them with caution.

Regardless of one’s perspective, the prophecies of Saint Paisios continue to inspire discussion among Orthodox believers around the world. They remain a significant part of contemporary Orthodox thought and are often revisited whenever major geopolitical developments occur in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Balkans, and the Middle East.

“Watch the signs of the times, pray without ceasing, and place your trust in God.” — A spiritual message often associated with the teachings of Saint Paisios.