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'''Elder Amphilochios of Patmos''' (Makris) was a priestmonk who lived on Patmos.
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[[Image:Father-elias-father-amphilochios.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Father Elias (Annunciation Monastery in Patmos) is watching the portrait of Father Amphilochios, the founder of the monastery.]]
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'''Elder Amphilochios of Patmos''' (Makris) was a priestmonk who lived on Patmos (Greece).
  
 
==Biography==
 
==Biography==
*1889 [[December 13]]: Athanasios Makris was born to Emmanuel and Irene Makris.  Large family of simple country folk.  As an infant, he would miraculously observe fasting rules without even knowing them, refusing mother's milk on Wednesdays and Fridays.
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The future elder was born on [[December 13]], 1889 to Emmanuel and Irene Makris and named AthanasiosHe was born into a large family of simple, country folk.  Even as an infant, Athanasios was devout, even observing the fasting rules regarding milk products while still an infant. When Athanasios was five, he convinced his newly-engaged godmother to spend the rest of her days in virginity. Athanasios, having preserved himself from worldly temptations, decided to enter a [[monastery]] at the age of seventeen. He asked his parents' blessing, which they were happy to give.
*~1894: At 5, Athanasios convinced his newly-engaged godmother to spend the rest of her days in virginity.
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*1906: Having preserved himself from worldly temptations, Athanasios decided to enter a [[monastery]]. He received his parents' blessing, which they were happy to give.
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In March, 1906, he entered the [[Monastery of St. John the Theologian (Patmos, Greece)|Monastery of St. John the Theologian]], Patmos; in August, having earned the love of the aging brotherhood, he was made a [[Monastic Ranks|rassophore]] and given the name Amphilochios. To fight the passions and temptations, Amphilochios would employ strict fasting - ten mouthfuls of food at each meal on standard days, with seven or eight olives on fast days.
*1906 Mar: Athanasios became a novice at the [[Monastery of St. John the Theologian (Patmos, Greece)|Monastery of St. John the Theologian]], Patmos.
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*1906 Aug: Br Athanasios became beloved of the aging brotherhood, and they made him a rassophore, giving him the name Amphilochios.
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In 1911, the [[abbot]] of the Monastery of St. John the Theologian sent Amphilochios to [[Mount Athos]] in order to learn wood-carving; in March 1913, he was tonsured to the Great Schema by Elder Antoniadis. Two months later, the abbot had the agreement of the brethren of the monastery to ordain Amphilochios; but, because of a self-perception of inadequacy, he asked his traveling companion (and ordinand) to continue while Amphilochios went to Egypt and the Holy Lands.  Amphilochios asked the Patriarch of Jerusalem to receive him as one of the caretakers of the [[Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Jerusalem)|Holy Sepulchre]]While the Patriarch was willing to do this, the Monastery insisted that he return, where they "punished" him by sending him to the hermitage of Apollo, alongside Elder Makarios, which made Amphilochios very happy as he was better able to pray.
:His asceticism, to fight the passions and temptations, included eating ten mouthfuls of food at each meal - on fast days, seven or eight olives.
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*1911: The [[abbot]] of the monastery sent the future elder to [[Mount Athos|Mt Athos]] to learn wood-carving.
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However, in 1919, Fr Amphilochios was [[ordination|ordained]] to the [[diaconate]] and, soon after, to the [[priest]]hood.  He was assigned to the monastery's dependency on the island of Kos, also serving as confessor throughout the Dodecanese. In 1926, he was sent to the [[Cave of the Apocalypse]], Patmos. He spent much time with students of the Ecclesiastical Academy, which produced numerous elders and abbots.
*1913 Mar: Tonsured to the Great Schema by Elder Antoniadis.
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*1913 May: The abbot had the agreement of the brethren to [[ordination|ordain]] Fr Amphilochios to the [[diaconate]].  Due to his self-perception of inadequacy, he directed his travelling companion (also to be ordained) to continue, while he went to Egypt and the Holy Lands.  He asked the Patriarch of Jerusalem to receive him as one of the caretakers of the Holy Sepulchre.  The Patriarch was willing, but the Monastery on Patmos insisted that he return. On his return, he was "punished" by being sent to the hermitage of Apollo, aside Elder Makarios. He was very happy there, being able to pray.
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In 1935, the occupying powers of the Dodecanese were the Italians, who influenced the Church by forcing a system of governance that made it easy to manipulate the Church. However, the Patriarch of Constantinople demanded that this situation be rectified for the new abbot.  In response, the brotherhood elected Elder Amphilochios as abbot. Soon after, the seeds of the future female Monastery of the Annunciation began to be planted: the first building housed a training workshop for knitting and weaving, a guise under which to teach children Greek. In response, in 1937, the Italians exiled Elder Amphilochios to mainland Greece, where the Elder received hospitality from the [[Brotherhood of Theologians Zoe|Zoe brotherhood]] in Athens, from whence he traveled throughout Greece; after which he traveled to Crete, where he became spiritual father of the island.
*1919: Fr Amphilochios was ordained to the diaconate then, soon after, to the [[priest]]hood.  He was then sent to serve at the monastery's dependency on the island of Kos.  He also served as confessor throughout the Dodecanese.
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*1926: Fr Amphilochios was sent to the cave of the Apocalypse, Patmos. He spent much time with students of the Ecclesiastical Academy, bearing numerous elders and abbots.
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His exile ended in 1939, and Elder Amphilochios returned to Patmos, being received with great joy.  He did not, however, reassume his abbacy, but rather, focused on dependencies and the female Monastery of the Annunciation. The changeover of power in 1942, from the Italians to the Germans, did not greatly impact on the Elder's life. In 1947, Elder Amphilochios organised a small group of [[nun]]s to assist the orphans of Rhodes (at that time, extremely poor) by establishing an orphanage, along with a unit for pregnant women.
*1935: The Italians, occupying the Dodecanese, influenced the Church by forcing a system of governence that made it easy to manipulate the Church. However, the Patriarch of Constantinople demanded that this situation be rectified for the new abbot of the monastery. The brotherhood elected Elder Amphilochios as abbot. Soon after his election, the seeds of the future female Monastery of the Annunciation began to be planted. The first building was to house a training workshop for knitting and weaving, with the hidden agenda of teaching children Greek.
+
 
*1937: The Italians exiled Elder Amphilochios to mainland Greece. He was given hospitality by the [[Brotherhood of Theologians "Zoe"|Zoe brotherhood]] in Athens, and travelled throughout Greece, then going to Crete, where he became spiritual father of the island.
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At Easter, 1968, Elder Amphilochios received a forewarning of his coming repose, and was given two years to prepare himself and his children for his repose. Anxious for his spiritual children, he asked God with tears for more time to develop his children, after which the Mother of God and St. [[John the Theologian]] appeared to him and informed him that his request was denied. Soon after this, he received a bout of flu.  Having made his final preparations, he reposed on [[April 16]], 1970.
*1939: Exile ended. Elder Amphilochios was received with great joy on Patmos, but did not assume the abbacy, but focused on dependencies and the female Monastery of the Annunciation.
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*1942: Patmos now occupied by Germans.
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==Monastery Associations==
*1947: Elder Amphilochios organised a small group of [[nun]]s to assist the orphans of Rhodes, who were extremely poor, by establishing an orphanage, and also a unit for pregnant women.
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* The Holy [[Monastery of St. John the Theologian (Patmos, Greece)]]
*1968 Easter: Elder Amphilochios received a forewarning of his coming repose, given two years to prepare himself and his children for his repose. Anxious for his spiritual children, with tears he asked God for more time to develop his children. The Mother of God and St [[John the Theologian]] appeared to him and informed him that his request was denied. Soon after, he received a bout of flu.
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* The Holy [[Monastery of Panagia Eleousa (Kalymnos, Greece)]]
*1970 [[April 16]]: Having made his final preparations, Elder Amphilochios reposed.
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* The Holy [[Monastery of Annunciation (Patmos, Greece)]]
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==Special Relationships==
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* St. '''[[Nektarios of Aegina]]''' - he always had a great desire to meet this holy Metropolitan. When His excellency asked him, "What the greatest and most singular desire of his soul was", the elder responded in simplicity, ''"I wish that everybody would become monastics"''. The elder is the only person who was invited by the Saint to stay overnight in his private quarters.
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* Gerontissa '''[[Gabrielia (Papayannis)]]''' - was [[tonsure]]d by him into the Great Schema by the elder on Patmos in the "Cave of St. Anthony", of the Monastery of the Evangelismos, just before she and the nun Tomasina left for India.
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
"Do not be afraid because of your Orthodoxy; do not be afraid because, as an Orthodox in the West, you will be often isolated and always in a small minority. Do not make compromises but do not attack other Christians; do not be either defensive or aggressive; simply be yourself." -- Bishop [[Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia|Kallistos (Ware)]], 2000, "The Spiritual Guide in Orthodox Christianity", in ''The Inner Kingdom: Volume One of the Collected Works'', [[St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Crestwood, New York)|St. Vladimir's]] Press, Crestwood, New York.
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"Do not be afraid because of your Orthodoxy; do not be afraid because, as an Orthodox in the West, you will be often isolated and always in a small minority. Do not make compromises but do not attack other Christians; do not be either defensive or aggressive; simply be yourself." — related by Bishop [[Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia|Kallistos (Ware)]], 2000, "The Spiritual Guide in Orthodox Christianity", in ''The Inner Kingdom: Volume One of the Collected Works'', [[St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Crestwood, New York)|St. Vladimir's]] Press, Crestwood, New York, p. 150.
  
 
==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
*Middleton, Herman A., 2004,"Elder Amphilochios of Patmos: Life", in ''Precious Vessels of the Holy Spirit: The Lives & Counsels of Contemporary Elders of Greece'', 2nd edn., Protecting Veil Press, Thessalonica, Greece.
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*Middleton, Herman A., 2004,"Elder Amphilochios of Patmos: Life", in ''Precious Vessels of the Holy Spirit: The Lives & Counsels of Contemporary Elders of Greece'', 2nd edn., Protecting Veil Press, Thessalonica, Greece. [http://www.protectingveil.com/available]
  
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[[Category:Athonite Fathers]]
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[[Category:Monastics]]
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[[Category:Elders]]
  
[[Category:Monastics]]
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[[ro:Amfilohie (Makris) din Patmos]]

Revision as of 14:10, March 22, 2013

Father Elias (Annunciation Monastery in Patmos) is watching the portrait of Father Amphilochios, the founder of the monastery.

Elder Amphilochios of Patmos (Makris) was a priestmonk who lived on Patmos (Greece).

Biography

The future elder was born on December 13, 1889 to Emmanuel and Irene Makris and named Athanasios. He was born into a large family of simple, country folk. Even as an infant, Athanasios was devout, even observing the fasting rules regarding milk products while still an infant. When Athanasios was five, he convinced his newly-engaged godmother to spend the rest of her days in virginity. Athanasios, having preserved himself from worldly temptations, decided to enter a monastery at the age of seventeen. He asked his parents' blessing, which they were happy to give.

In March, 1906, he entered the Monastery of St. John the Theologian, Patmos; in August, having earned the love of the aging brotherhood, he was made a rassophore and given the name Amphilochios. To fight the passions and temptations, Amphilochios would employ strict fasting - ten mouthfuls of food at each meal on standard days, with seven or eight olives on fast days.

In 1911, the abbot of the Monastery of St. John the Theologian sent Amphilochios to Mount Athos in order to learn wood-carving; in March 1913, he was tonsured to the Great Schema by Elder Antoniadis. Two months later, the abbot had the agreement of the brethren of the monastery to ordain Amphilochios; but, because of a self-perception of inadequacy, he asked his traveling companion (and ordinand) to continue while Amphilochios went to Egypt and the Holy Lands. Amphilochios asked the Patriarch of Jerusalem to receive him as one of the caretakers of the Holy Sepulchre. While the Patriarch was willing to do this, the Monastery insisted that he return, where they "punished" him by sending him to the hermitage of Apollo, alongside Elder Makarios, which made Amphilochios very happy as he was better able to pray.

However, in 1919, Fr Amphilochios was ordained to the diaconate and, soon after, to the priesthood. He was assigned to the monastery's dependency on the island of Kos, also serving as confessor throughout the Dodecanese. In 1926, he was sent to the Cave of the Apocalypse, Patmos. He spent much time with students of the Ecclesiastical Academy, which produced numerous elders and abbots.

In 1935, the occupying powers of the Dodecanese were the Italians, who influenced the Church by forcing a system of governance that made it easy to manipulate the Church. However, the Patriarch of Constantinople demanded that this situation be rectified for the new abbot. In response, the brotherhood elected Elder Amphilochios as abbot. Soon after, the seeds of the future female Monastery of the Annunciation began to be planted: the first building housed a training workshop for knitting and weaving, a guise under which to teach children Greek. In response, in 1937, the Italians exiled Elder Amphilochios to mainland Greece, where the Elder received hospitality from the Zoe brotherhood in Athens, from whence he traveled throughout Greece; after which he traveled to Crete, where he became spiritual father of the island.

His exile ended in 1939, and Elder Amphilochios returned to Patmos, being received with great joy. He did not, however, reassume his abbacy, but rather, focused on dependencies and the female Monastery of the Annunciation. The changeover of power in 1942, from the Italians to the Germans, did not greatly impact on the Elder's life. In 1947, Elder Amphilochios organised a small group of nuns to assist the orphans of Rhodes (at that time, extremely poor) by establishing an orphanage, along with a unit for pregnant women.

At Easter, 1968, Elder Amphilochios received a forewarning of his coming repose, and was given two years to prepare himself and his children for his repose. Anxious for his spiritual children, he asked God with tears for more time to develop his children, after which the Mother of God and St. John the Theologian appeared to him and informed him that his request was denied. Soon after this, he received a bout of flu. Having made his final preparations, he reposed on April 16, 1970.

Monastery Associations

Special Relationships

  • St. Nektarios of Aegina - he always had a great desire to meet this holy Metropolitan. When His excellency asked him, "What the greatest and most singular desire of his soul was", the elder responded in simplicity, "I wish that everybody would become monastics". The elder is the only person who was invited by the Saint to stay overnight in his private quarters.
  • Gerontissa Gabrielia (Papayannis) - was tonsured by him into the Great Schema by the elder on Patmos in the "Cave of St. Anthony", of the Monastery of the Evangelismos, just before she and the nun Tomasina left for India.

Quotes

"Do not be afraid because of your Orthodoxy; do not be afraid because, as an Orthodox in the West, you will be often isolated and always in a small minority. Do not make compromises but do not attack other Christians; do not be either defensive or aggressive; simply be yourself." — related by Bishop Kallistos (Ware), 2000, "The Spiritual Guide in Orthodox Christianity", in The Inner Kingdom: Volume One of the Collected Works, St. Vladimir's Press, Crestwood, New York, p. 150.

Bibliography

  • Middleton, Herman A., 2004,"Elder Amphilochios of Patmos: Life", in Precious Vessels of the Holy Spirit: The Lives & Counsels of Contemporary Elders of Greece, 2nd edn., Protecting Veil Press, Thessalonica, Greece. [1]