Saint Nektarios and the Corner Church
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ”
The country of Greece holds many wonderful memories for me. I treasure the moments in time where my family and friends have come together to enjoy the exceptional homegrown meals that feed the body and the soul. The views of the sea awakens all of my senses! However, what I love the most about Greece is that almost every corner has a beautiful and welcoming church. Some are as small as a room while other churches are spacious. I favor the small almost hidden churches that are discovered in small corners and unexpected caves. Many of these churches have long histories--some are even over a thousand years old. It is such a gift to be able to go inside these ancient spaces, light your candle and offer your prayers all the while experiencing the richness, timelessness, and the mystery of our faith. The feeling is “coming home”, one of belonging and acceptance beyond our modern world.
I remember a sweet sun filled morning when I discovered a small stone church hidden back from the rocky street. A little wooden kitchen chair propped open the simple door to this almost hidden church. A small framed man who I assumed was the priest of the church was sitting there as if he expected me to visit and was waiting for my arrival. On his lap he held a small baby kitten who seemed to enjoy having such a joyful and peaceful soul giving her attention.
Upon entering, I was overcome by a very long mural painted on the wall. Painted in the mural was a man laying on what looked like a hospital bed with doctors to his right and a bishop to his left. The Bishop resembled Saint Nektarios (from his icons). As I stood there gazing at the mural the priest from the entry walked over to me as if he knew I would ask him to explain this sight. He immediately identified himself as the patient lying on the bed. He continued to tell me his story: as he lay there many years ago waiting for surgery, he dreamt of the saint who came and touched his wound. The next morning, when he told the doctors, they were amazed to find that he was healed. He smiled and shared with me that from that day on, he changed his name to Nektarios and choose to dedicate himself to God. Now, his mission is to tell others about this beautiful saint who heard his desperate prayers and interceded for him to our Lord and Savior.
On the island of Aegina is a beautiful church built by donations of those who experienced this saint’s intercession for healing, especially those suffering from cancer and heart issues.This is the place to visit to see where this Saint lived and worshiped faithfully and patiently. You can feel like your walking in his footsteps because Saint Nektarios lived not so long ago. He passed from this life in 1920!
I have been humbled by reading about St. Nektarios and how he was patient and faithful through many struggles and difficulties. One challenge he faced was when many of his peer priests spread vicious rumors about him causing him to be exiled from his post in Cairo. He moved to Greece where he patiently taught and guided the village people. Over time, the people came to recognize the truth and love in him. They experienced his kindness, generosity, and his faithfulness to our Lord and to our faith through all his struggles. St. Nektarios also wrote over 500 beautiful hymns.
One of my favorite hymns that he wrote was dedicated to the Theotokos “Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded”. The Mother of God was his refuge and he greatly respected her intercession in his life. Through her help, he was able to love so many others. So much love poured from this Saint and still does. I feel that Saint Nectarios is a refuge for me. Everyday, I anoint my head with holy oil in thankfulness for his intercession in my own life. We are so blessed in our Orthodox faith with such a “cloud of witnesses”!
“There are so many saints waiting to intercede on our behalf for the numerous things that cause pain and suffering, torment and worry, those things that cause shadows over our lives and souls and make us think the darkness will never depart. All we have to do is cry out, they are waiting for us to do so.”
As much as we might like to, we don’t need to travel to picturesque village churches to ask the saints for help. Outside of our time and place, they are ready to intercede for us, right here and now, just as St. Nektarios has interceded for so many.
