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Saint Nectarius Kephalas: A Life of Faith and Patience · Saints and Scripture

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  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Saints in Scripture Podcast.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today is Monday, november ninth, twenty twenty six.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today we remember Saint Nectarius Cephalus, Metropolitan of Pentapolis, a great wonder worker of modern times.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Nectarius was born Anastasius Cephalus on october first, eighteen forty six in Celebria, Thrace.
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  SPEAKER_00: His family was poor, so at the age of fourteen, he went to Constantinople to find work.
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  SPEAKER_00: Without money, he asked a boat captain for passage.
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  SPEAKER_00: The captain initially refused, but when the engines failed to start, he took pity on Anastasius and allowed him aboard.
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  SPEAKER_00: The engines then started immediately.
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  SPEAKER_00: In Constantinople, Anastasius worked for a tobacco merchant who paid him little.
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  SPEAKER_00: He wrote short spiritual maxims on the tobacco packages to share wisdom with customers.
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  SPEAKER_00: Despite his ragged clothes and going barefoot, he trusted in God.
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  SPEAKER_00: One day, feeling lonely, Anastasius wrote a letter to Christ asking for an apron and shoes.
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  SPEAKER_00: He sealed it and addressed it to the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven.
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  SPEAKER_00: A man offered to mail the letter for him but secretly read it and was moved by the boy's faith.
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  SPEAKER_00: The man sent money to Anastasius anonymously.
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  SPEAKER_00: When his employer saw Anastasius dressed better, he wrongly accused him of stealing and beat him.
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  SPEAKER_00: Another merchant explained the truth and Anastasius was believed.
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  SPEAKER_00: As a young man, Anastasius made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
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  SPEAKER_00: During a storm at sea he prayed and dipped a cross given by his grandmother into the water three times, commanding the sea to be still.
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  SPEAKER_00: The storm calmed, but the cross fell into the sea.
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  SPEAKER_00: Later the captain found the cross stuck to the ship's hull.
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  SPEAKER_00: Anastasius treasured this cross for the rest of his life.
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  SPEAKER_00: On november seventh, eighteen seventy five, Anastasius became a monk at Neamoni Monastery on Chios and took the name Lazarus.
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  SPEAKER_00: Two years later, when ordained a deacon, his name was changed to Nectarius.
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  SPEAKER_00: Father Nectarius later went to Egypt and was elected Metropolitan of Pentapolis.
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  SPEAKER_00: Some bishops became jealous and falsely accused him of plotting to become patriarch.
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  SPEAKER_00: Patriarch Sophronius removed him from his position with a vague letter of suspension, causing scandal.
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  SPEAKER_00: Though removed, Saint Nectarius was still allowed to perform sacraments with permission.
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  SPEAKER_00: He bore these trials patiently.
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  SPEAKER_00: When his supporters caused disturbances he left for Greece.
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  SPEAKER_00: In Athens rumors about him persisted and he was denied positions and support.
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  SPEAKER_00: After persistent requests he was appointed a humble preacher in Euboia.
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  SPEAKER_00: Even there, some mocked him, so he resigned and returned to Athens.
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  SPEAKER_00: Eventually people saw his innocence and virtue.
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  SPEAKER_00: On march eighth, eighteen ninety four, he became director of the Rizario Seminary in Athens, serving until 1908.
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  SPEAKER_00: He celebrated services, taught students, and wrote spiritual books.
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  SPEAKER_00: Seeking a quiet place to pray, he found an abandoned monastery on a gina dedicated to the Holy Trinity.
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  SPEAKER_00: He repaired it with his own hands and gathered a community of nuns serving as their confessor.
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  SPEAKER_00: He told them he was building a lighthouse for them, a light that would shine to the world.
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  SPEAKER_00: On september twentieth, nineteen twenty, Saint Nectarius was admitted to a hospital in Athens, suffering from bladder disease.
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  SPEAKER_00: He died peacefully on november eighth, nineteen twenty at age seventy four.
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  SPEAKER_00: After his death, a paralyzed man in the hospital was healed immediately when Saint Nectarius's sweater was placed on his bed.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Nectarius was buried at the Holy Trinity Monastery on Aegina.
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  SPEAKER_00: Years later when his grave was opened, his body was found incorrupt.
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  SPEAKER_00: Despite attempts to hasten decay, the relics remained preserved and were placed in a marble sarcophagus.
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  SPEAKER_00: His relics later dissolved, leaving only bones.
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  SPEAKER_00: His head was kept in a bishop's mitre for veneration.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Nectarius' life was a continuous praise to God.
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  SPEAKER_00: Both during his life and after his death, he has performed thousands of miracles, especially for those suffering from cancer.
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  SPEAKER_00: More churches are dedicated to him than to any other modern Orthodox saint.
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  SPEAKER_00: May we be inspired by Saint Nectarius' faith, patience, and humility in our own lives.
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  SPEAKER_00: Lord help us to trust in you as Saint Nectarius did, even in times of hardship and trial.
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  SPEAKER_00: Grant us patience and humility to follow your will.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God.
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  SPEAKER_00: Amen.