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Pilgrimage to the Holy Monastery of Panagia Dobra and St. Luke the Surgeon

Another blessing of Mount Athos Gregoriou Metohion in Thessaloniki and Father Deacon Nephon and his synodeia.

During this pilgrimage, even before arriving at the monastery, I had the blessing to hear moving Confessions, such as that of:

an old lady, Konstantina, who told me (and truly meant it) how she had wasted all her life, saw only errors and sins behind her, had grown old and had not yet started repenting about all this;

a young student, Eirini, who told me how she was visited by Saint Luke Symferoupol during a scary hospital stay, decided to become a surgeon like him, dedicated her life to the Church and has been together with this Saint at every step of her life since;

a young invalid, Pandelis, and his tragic story: how first his father, and later his mother, abandoned him because they could not bear his disability since birth, the fact that they had to take care of a ‘half’ son (see photo below), and how he now lives all alone, but together with God and with the help of some of the faithful;

a courageous middle-aged widow and artist, Anna, and her martyrdom in taking care of her invalid husband after a car accident;

a brilliant architect, Anastasia, and her cancer martyrdom …

All these stories, together with lots of tears and prayers, were on our way to the monastery, and many more during our visit and on our way back to Thessaloniki. Stories of suffering, yet transfigured into joy, by His Love. After each Confession, especially Pandelis’, I felt even more shame for my own faintheartedness and unmanliness in my struggles and tiny Cross.

This Monastery honours the Dormition of the Theotokos and was founded in the 12th century according to a document in the National Library of Athens. Since then the Monastery has been serving ceaselessly the Holy Liturgy until 1822. During the period of the Greek Revolution, it was one of the most important national and religious centres of the region. It was here that the actions of Chief Karatassos were developed, and it was here, unfortunately, that the Turkish authorities were successful in dealing with them. The Monastery was burned in 1822, and his abbot, Hieromonk Gerasimos, was hung.

The Monastery was reformed in 1995 as a Cenobitic Monastery for Men.

The Katholikon which remains to this day was built in 1844.

In the year 2005, the brotherhood of the Monastery became acquainted with the newly-revealed Saint of the Russian land, St. Luke the Surgeon and Wonderworker, the Bishop of Simferopol. The holy Monastery preserves a portion of the Holy relic of the Saint.

The many miracles and the palpable presence of the Saint in the Monastery and in the surrounding region immediately made the Saint known, and at the initiative of the Metropolitan and through the support of pious Christians, the first large church in honour of St. Luke the Surgeon, at least in Greece, was founded on the grounds of the Holy Monastery. Every Saturday Divine Liturgy is served, and every Tuesday evening Vespers and Paraklesis are served in the Holy Church of the Saint under construction. Each of the faithful has the opportunity to venerate his grace-flowing relics.

In the area of the Monastery also are the ecclesiastical camps and the educational centre of Byzantine Arts (iconography, mosaics, woodworking, and preservation).

Panagia Dobra’s famous Holy Water and one of the many monastery cats swimming in it and sipping it joyfully

Video on the Monastery of Panagia Dobra

My Twelve Days of Christmas — Part A

Dec 24 — Eve of the Nativity of Christ, Eugenia the Righteous Nun-martyr of Rome and those with her

Suddenly our friend D. is in hospital, and soon in intensive care. Agony, heartache and a complete mess at work.

Dec 25 — THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST

Thank God, we made it to church and received Holy Communion. Only our Christmas meal got cancelled as our hosts got down with the flu. So we brought them chicken soup, exchanged presents and wishes in the balcony, and spent the remainder of the day in hesychia.

Dec 26 — SYNAXIS OF THE HOLY THEOTOKOS

Thank God, an invitation from dear brothers and sisters from the Metochion of St. George to rescue us from our ‘lockdown’. These days are difficult when you are alone or together with difficult family members. The meal, the company and the carols were a great blessing despite the little temptation on our way when both of our back tyres got flat/ punctured (a neighbour’s prank) and we had to call road assistance etc.

The greatest blessing of all was our hostess, A., a widow and a valiant Christian soul. When that car hit her husband’s car, cut him half and left him paralysed from the waist down, she bore bravely the Cross for 10, even more, years, becoming the pillar of her family, until her husband reposed in the Lord, supporting her orphan young boy. This day brought me even closer to dear A., and I am sure I can learn a lot how one should live, just by being next to her and observing her.

Dec 27 — STEPHEN, ARCHDEACON & FIRST MARTYR

Back to work and hospital/ doctors check about D. Thankfully, lots of chanting rehearsals too.

Dec 28–20, 000 Martyrs burned in Nicomedia, Simon the Myrrhbearer, Founder of Simonopetra, Monastery of Mount Athos, Afterfeast of the Nativity

Dec 29–14,000 infants (Holy Innocents) slain by Herod in Bethlehem

St. Anysia’s relics

The evening at St Demetrius’ church, in front of St. Anysia’s relics, was a blessing words cannot describe. The choir’s hymns were celestial.

Look at this little Romanian pilgrim venerating the Saint! Isn’t she beautiful?! She is real!

Dec 30 — Anysia the Virgin-martyr of Thessaloniki

Christmas carols to local charity stores, hospitals, orphanages etc, with St George Metochion choir of all the faithful. Father Deacon Nephon on the right (2.17 m tall) is the heart and soul of all our activities, and such a help and consolation in our lives!

The highlight of the visit was, of course, Konstantina, a little girl, suffering from a range of diseases, kidney failure to terminal cancer, pleading God, as Fr. Deacon Nephon told us, to end her life as she could take no more suffering. We sang carols to her, offered her presents and lit a birthday cake.

This tour to hospitals and orphanages made me realise how little I am suffering bearing my own Cross, whereas I believe that my burden is sooo heavy. Little did I know!

Later in the afternoon, we drive to Serres to spend the weekend and New Year’s Day together with dear friends. Such a blessing again not to be left alone these days. These Christmas blues … But it seems that we can never have enough of hospitals these days. Three hours after our arrival, V.’ mother nearly collapsed and we had to take her to Serres’ hospital. We spent a long vigil there until 03:30, but thank God, although she had to stay in hospital, her condition was stabilised.

Dec 31 —Apodosis of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Melania the Younger, Nun of Rome, 

I barely made it to church in the morning with just three hours sleep, and then slept most of the day after we got back. We welcomed the New Year in church, in a vigil, and it was the first time in my life that while we were on our way to Holy Communion, we could hear all the fireworks and celebrations outside. The vigil took place in a beautiful, new church, dedicated to St. Spyridon.

I forgot to mention that in the evening of Dec 30, right after our arrival in Serres, Father Ioustinos from Jacob’s Well in Jerusalem, 83 years young, called me, after so many years, and together with his news, he offered to make an icon, possibly of St Spyridon!!!

Jan 1–Circumcision of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia

Today, we made a pilgrimage to the monastery of St. John the Forerunner in Serres.

This is a monastery I have visited in the past, but this time our friend V. led me inside a hidden chapel-within- the-chapel from 1270! Of course, it was dedicated to St Spyridon!

Nature was so beautiful outside and everywhere little chapels awaited us to be discovered.

By C.

To be continued …

Travelling Light

Today, my good friend A. sent me this:

“We are travelling to an unknown city of Cappadocia, walking in the midst of volcanic valleys …

… which Greek people have turned into fertile land …

… climbing high, up to the crenellations where Digenes Akrites (1) raised their swords …

… where the powers of Light fought those of Darkness …

We are going to celebrate Holy Liturgy there, in an orthodox temple (2)

… so that Tabor light will shine in our souls (3)

… and all mankind

(1) Digenes Akritas: “digenes” literally means “born of two races”, i.e. “Roman” (Byzantine/Greek) and “Saracen” and “Akritas” means “frontiersman.”, existing at the borders between Christendom and Islamic lands

(2) Kizil Kilise, the Red Church

(3) Karanlik Kilise in Goreme

All creation is groaning in labor pains


Rom. 8:22
Alone, scared, shocked, and confused, with no mate, and no offspring, this black vulture is staring at his home, his natural habitat, Dadia Forest, all burnt out. The fire in Evros is finally in remission, where extinguishing efforts continue for the 17th day. As reported by ERT, as of Sunday evening 3/9/2023, there is no active front, however, more than 930,000 (!) acres have already turned to ash. A minimum of a 150 years (!) estimated by scientists that is required for Nature to heal and restore this forest.

Adam and Eve my little apple trees

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Grown from pips!

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Kimberly, Tom and Kristian

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Dear Friends in Christ,
I hope that you are all well and safe. I apologise for my disappearance but I have recently started “offcially” chanting at two (!) parishes in the suburbs of Thessaloniki. In fact, I am so busy chanting all the time (or preparing for the services) and I spend so much time in church that I sometimes have to politely decline a chanting obedience since I cannot be in both parishes at the same time 🙂
Church services in Greece have dramatically multiplied since the release of the lockdown, for as long as it lasts, so chanters are in great demand as there is no end to our vigils, processions and forty days liturgies!

How are the churches doing in your countries?

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PS. Not my hand 🙂 This is from a spiritual brother in Lesvos who is the closest I have known of a “bird whisperer” 🙂
Christ is in our midst!

Kandylakia: History and Traditions of the Roadshine Shrines in Greece

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The small roadside shrines scattered here and there, along the curvy roads in Greece, are an important part of the Greek culture.

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History and Traditions of Kandylakia

During any trip to Greece, travellers come across, photograph and wonder about these shrines. Known as kandylakia the roadside shrines are usually made of wood, stone, metal or concrete. Clearly visible on the edges of the narrow winding mountainous roads, they commemorate the lives both lost and saved.

Over the years, in the farthest mountainous villages that can only be reached through narrow dark roads — many tales of frightening rides have been recounted over and over again. The challenging terrain marked with these shrines gives the traveler a sense of caution and an opportunity of spiritual reflection.

Some of these shrines are as old as the roads, built in the middle of nowhere with a flame of a candle burning inside.

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Kandylakia are emblems of an old tradition which is greatly valued in most of the households and very much preserved until this day.

Unique characteristics of the roadside shrines

Although road accidents are mostly the reason for placing these shrines –a driver soon learns to assess the danger of a particular turn simply by calculating the number of Kandylakia,  3, 4 or 5 !!!! –on numerous occasions they are placed as a promise and a gesture of thankfulness. They celebrate miracles and those who survived dedicate a kandylaki to their patron saint. Another reason for these shrines is a way to indicate that there is a monastery or church in vicinity especially in less populated areas where the church might be completely out of sight.

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Some churches which are located far away from the villages are now being locked up to protect them from theft. In such cases, small proskynitaria are erected in front of the church to allow the worshippers to light a candle and to say their prayers.

If you admire them closely, you will notice that every shrine has an icon of a saint. Sometimes, there is even more than one kandyli which is a floating wick oil lamp, flowers and personal items. It is a custom that every anniversary relatives and loved ones pay a visit to the shrine which draws upon the ecclesiastical tradition. This tradition represents the Greeks outlook on religion, family ties, remembrance of family history, culture and finally fate. These unique roadside shrines are there to remind us to appreciate every second and every opportunity to be alive.

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Sources: Fly me to the Moon and Messy Nessy Chic

Archangel Michael Monastery in Pella

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The monastery of Archangel Michael is a precious and invaluable adornment of the whole region.

Its rich and long history, its national and religious offer, its imposing bearing and the frescoes of the interior of the temple, distinguished by the unique sweetness in the faces, as well as realism in its movement, its revival and its upward course tends to highlight it in one of the largest pilgrimages of Northern Greece, as its surrounded by rich flora and fauna.

Tradition wants the Monastery to be built on an ancient sanctuary dedicated to the Artemis hunting goddess due to the rich flora and fauna of the area.

Today it is proved, by documents that are saved in the Holy Monastery of the Greatest Lavra of Mount Athos, and by elements of the previous century, that it was dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. From various documents, such as the “Chrysoboulos Logos” of Alexios Komnenos, published in 1082, it seems to have existed since the 11th century as a glebe land of the Greatest Lavra of Athos.

Regardless of the above, it remains a fact, that one and a half centuries after the restoration of the Monastery, it is dedicated and has its protector and guide Archangel Michael. In fact, in 1858, the monastery was rebuilt with a charter of the Sultan, and was renamed this way, because the monastery was burned on September 6th, the day of the Miracle of Archangel Michael at Chonae, and as a sign of gratitude by many residents of the area, who survived harmless on the day of destruction by certain death. In 3/1182, the monastery of Greatest Lavra, founded a glebe in the form of a regular monastery in the village of Hostiani (today’s Archangelo).

The monastery of Ossiani until the 18th century has a lively presence in the area, to the point where it founded a subsidiary monastery at the foothills of Voras outside the village of Promachi. The monastery is Saint’s Hilarion, Bishop of Moglenoi. The monastery was besieged by the Turks in the 18th century. The Turks decimated the monks and burnt the monastery, while a one of them escaped alone, and gory beetled along to the Great Monastery.

The danger to the monastery was great. At the same time, the inhabitants of the current village of Notia adopted the religion of Muslim. At that time, took also place the tragic incident of the burning of the Monastery, by the neophyte Muslims, who also destroyed the surrounding building facilities. The homesteads, the fields and the forests, were destroyed and the pastures were granted to new owners, and the neighbors and the animals of the Monastery were dispersed.

Desolation lasts more than half a century, but already in 1858, with the permission of the sultan, the burnt monastery is reconstructed, and Valis of the Vitolioi returned the land that had been appropriated. From now on, an economic robustness began and the monastery provided dynamic assistance to the region’s poor. The monks undertook initiatives in the fields of education, moral support and national orientation of Karatzova.

The 19th century is one of the cruel times of Turkish slavery. Nevertheless, the Monastery of Archangel Michael is a robust presence in the northern Almopia. Inside this hive of the monks and ordinary people, the cells were transformed into hidden school rooms. The children were taught the ancestral wisdom and the ancient Greek letters. So, returning to their place, they became priests or teachers.

In the high mountains of Jena and Koziaka, a generation of young patriots was manned. The same period of time, was surrounded by violence and terror, and the propaganda of Bulgarians and Romanians contributed to this. In the Macedonian struggle the Holy Monastery was the center of Hellenism and the stronghold of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

As for its national offer, many brave chieftains were dressed as monks, led by Archangel Michael, to encourage and guide the Macedonian men and the frightened inhabitants of the region. A typical example, is the brave chieftain Captain Matapas who, with the nickname Papa Christos and based in the Monastery of the Archangel, organized rebelliously the region of Aridaia and Goumenissa of Kilkis.

Other brave chieftains used the Monastery as a base and hideout, such as George Kakoulidis, Nicholas Vlachos and Emmanuel Skountris, who won victories against the Bulgarians at Promachoi.

For some decades the monastery was a chapel of the parish of the village of Archangelos. Today the Monastery operates with a cenobitic rite. The rhythm of the temple is a three-aisled basilica and its walls are one meter thick. The katholikon of the temple is painted by frescoes of folk painters from Krousouvo.

Indeed, the most famous frescoes are scenes from the martyrdom of Saint Chrisi and the hagiography of Saint Hilarion, Bishop of Moglenoi, which is unique throughout Greece. Finally, the miraculous icon of Archangel Michael is preserved.

The monastery

The surrounding hills

“Emerald Lake” – Skra Waterfalls

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A Photo/ Video Blog

 

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Memories of Greek historical moments are mixed with the rare beauty of nature and the turquoise waters of an ancient lake.

These are the emotions one feels and the images that one sees as a visitor of Skra, the waterfalls and the famous “emerald lake”.

Skra is only 4 km away from the borders with FYROM and it spreads on the Northeast slopes of Paiko at an altitude of 520m. Its previous name was Lioumnitsa, while the current one is due to the proximal top Skra di Legken that during the First World War was the place of the homonymous battle field (Skra – Ravine). The battle was a decisive one for the course of the Greek State and the First World War.

With its characteristic proud old plane tree in the center of the village, Skra is considered to be a place of celebration in honor of the homonym battle, while every year on 17th of May a memorial ceremony for the officers and the soldiers of that battles belonging to the so called Greek Division of Crete and Archipelago is held at the Monument to those who died in 1918.

Since May 2002, the Museum of the First World War- Skra Battle has been operating in Skra, housed in a specially constructed area. The Museum exhibition presents relics, photos and historic documents from the Macedonian battles of the First World War, as well as from the victorious Skra battle. The well known victorious battle took place on May 17, 1918.

Near this settlement, the visitor faces a small miracle of nature. Through a wonderful path one can reach an area with rich vegetation, where one meets the first waterfall of Skra, at the root of which there is a small cave with stalactites. A little further on the path, the visitor is stunned by the beauty of the small “Blue Lake” or “Emerald Lake”, which owes its aquamarine emerald color of the water to the calcified and fossilized organisms of its bottom. Continuing on the path, the vegetation thickens and the ground is steeper. Here, one can see the second waterfall of Skra that falls with thunder over the rocks creating a stunning natural landscape.

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