Every day and all year round, overcoming a wide variety of obstacles, pilgrims travel to the island of Aegina. People of different ranks and ranks, poor and rich people, most of them come here to ask for help. A huge number of sick people, hysterics and epileptics. You can often hear here an akathist and a prayer to St. Nektarios the Wonderworker of Aegina. Relatives and friends of the sick come to the island, and for many this is the last hope that after a fervently said prayer , a miracle will happen and healing will occur. Some pilgrims crawl on their knees and come barefoot. Many observe strict fasting and pray with tears for several days. And there is not a single person whose prayer would not be heard.
Life of a Saint
The saint was born in 1846 near Constantinople into a poor family of pious Christians. At baptism the child was given the name Anastasy.
From an early age, the boy fell in love with reading soul-saving books, the most favorite of which was the Bible. The young Christian learned many prayers and attended services with joy and reverence.
When Anastasia was 14 years old, she left her parents' home and went to Constantinople. He wanted to earn money for his studies and be able to help his family financially.
The young man got a job as a worker at a tobacco factory. And in my free time I studied on my own.
Lacking material resources and almost despairing of rectifying the situation on his own, Anastasius writes a letter to the Lord. Childishly naive, he asks for an apron for work and shoes. On the envelope the boy writes the address: “To the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven.”
On the way to the post office, Anastasia meets a merchant who offers to help her with the mail. The boy happily accepts the letter and delivers it to his friend. The man sees the address on the envelope and, unable to resist, reads the message. The call touches the merchant's soul so much that he decides to help the child. The man writes a few words in response and puts the money in the envelope.
Anastasy was incredibly pleased with the gift. Having bought what he needed, he continued to work, earning a living, helping his family and paying for his studies.
After some time, the young man entered the Constantinople School. While studying in high school, he teaches lessons to juniors. After finishing school, Anastasio moved to the island of Chios. There he continues to teach. At 22 years old, the young man leads an ascetic lifestyle, spending his life in prayer and abstinence. He teaches children and adults, helps the poor and sick, creates a choir of students and sings with them in the temple.
Anastasio often visited the Nea Moni monastery, communicated with the abbot and elders. He dreamed with all his soul of becoming a monk. In 1876, his wish came true. With the name Lazarus he was tonsured a monk. After serving for three years, he took minor vows under the name Nektarios and was ordained to the rank of deacon.
A young monk in search of enlightenment was introduced to the Alexandrian Patriarch Sophronio, who advised him to continue his studies in Athens.
In 1885, Saint Nectar completed his theological studies at the University of Athens and was sent to Alexandria. Praying and serving God helped him grow spiritually and at the same time advance in ministry. Soon Nectarius became the patriarch's secretary. He later continued his ministry in Cairo, in the Church of San Nicola. There he was elevated to the rank of Bishop of Pentapolis at the age of forty.
Despite his high dignity, Nektarios still strove for monastic simplicity and asceticism, considering humility and imitation of Christ to be the main virtues.
This attitude helped the saint in his next life to overcome the trials that arose due to the machinations of the enemy of humanity. Nectarius was slandered several times, but he did not try to justify himself. He believed that the main thing was a clear conscience, and said that the world hates virtue, but at the same time envies it. With God's help, the charges against Nektarios were dropped.
After the saint became the director of the Athens Theological School, where the clergy studied, in 1894, spiritual children began to flock to him. During this time, Nectarius demonstrated his God-given ability to heal the sick.
At the end of his life, the saint fell ill with cancer, but did not grumble, but thanked God. The saint died on November 22, 1920 in an Athens hospital and was buried in the Holy Trinity Monastery, which he founded. And in 1961, Metropolitan Nektary was canonized.
Life of the saint
During his life, Saint Nektarios felt the calling of the Lord and responded all the time, so the Almighty hears his prayers and answers them.
In his youth his name was Simple. In order to support his parents, Nektary decided to get a job at a factory where workers were needed. The guy did not have shoes to get to the place and then he prayed to the Lord with deep faith and love, laid out his desire on a piece of paper and asked his neighbor to send it to the address - to Heaven.
Amazed by the young man’s faith, the neighbor shared money with the boy in the name of the Lord. In the life of earthly St. Nektary was a simple factory worker, and soon a teacher at school. Feeling the voice of the Lord, he became a monk, priest, bishop, and theologian. I experienced slander, shame, dishonor.
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He strove to be independent and independent, for this he was called proud, he tried to come to terms with everything, he was called hypocritical. The saint never took offense or blamed anyone. He only said:
“A good conscience is the greatest of all blessings. It is the price of peace of heart.”
Once upon a time, the saint ran a theological school in the city of Athens. The person who was doing the cleaning became very ill. When he returned, he saw that everything was clean. Then the employee decides to find out who did it for him. And he was stunned to see the director of Metropolitan Nektarios of Pentapolis cleaning.
Already on the threshold of death, when he lived on the island of Aegina, a girl of about eighteen years old came to the Holy Trinity Monastery he created. She left her overbearing mother. The Metropolitan gave her shelter in his monastery. The mother complained about the saint, accusing him of seducing the girl and murdering the babies they gave birth to.
Without complaining, the Metropolitan answered all his questions to the investigator, and the doctor examined the girl and certified her purity. Soon, the mother came to ask for forgiveness from the Metropolitan.
Before his death, Nectarius of Aegina had a serious illness for a long time - cancer, but hid his illness from everyone.
One day it was unbearable to hide his torment, he was sent to the hospital. The treatment was paid, but the bishop had no finances, which surprised the doctors. The saint was assigned to a ward for dying beggars. And after some time of severe torment, the Lord God took him to Himself.
A miracle happened already in the hospital. A paralyzed man lay on a bed nearby; the hospital workers took off the saint’s clothes and put them on the paralyzed man, who was immediately healed and walked.
Relics of the saint
After the saint departed to the Lord, his body immediately began to flow myrrh. All the people of the island of Aegina came to see off their saint on his last journey. The people who carried the coffin with the body felt an incredible fragrance from their clothes and hands.
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The relics of the saint are kept in the monastery named after the saint. Metropolitan Nektary, by God's providence, was canonized just 41 years later.
How do prayers to Saint Nektarios of Aegina help?
Many miracles of healing were given to people through the prayers of Saint Nektarios of Aegina. The first occurred immediately after the death of the Metropolitan, when he was changed for burial. The shirt taken by Nectarius was accidentally placed on the bed of a man immobilized by a long illness, who immediately recovered. The saint's body began to be watered with myrrh, filling the room with a supernatural aroma.
At the relics of St. Nektarios of Eginsky and in front of his icons, prayers for healing from oncology are most often read. The saint himself suffered from a serious illness, so it is believed that he contributes to the speedy recovery of the sick.
In fact, there are many cases where after praying to Nectarius Aegina there was a cure for cancer. The saint works miracles all over the world. He helps:
- when recovering from a serious illness;
- in promoting well-being;
- in liberation from obsession;
- in overcoming financial difficulties;
- in improving weather conditions.
Saint Nektarios patronizes everyone who turns to him for help. The main thing is that the text of the prayers offered comes from the very heart of the person asking.
Saint in Russia
The saint himself died from a severe form of cancer on November 22, which is why the day of the saint’s glorification is on this day, as well as on September 16.
The veneration of Saint Nektarios of Aegina in the East is similar to the veneration of St. Seraphim of Sarov in Rus'. The prayer to Nectarius of Aegina for oncology is especially known for its ambulance and healing.
In the Children's Oncology Center in Russia, there is a chapel in which the miraculous image of St. resides. Nectaria, consecrated on the relics. Here both children and adults, and their loved ones ask the saint for healing. Many prayers to St. Nektarios of Aegina for oncology, said by patients, were heard, as evidenced by the abundance of decorations left on the icon in gratitude.
Texts of prayers to Nectarius of Aegina
Troparion, tone 4
Having lived as a monk, I am a wise hierarch. / I glorified God / God with a virtuous life, Nektaria is revered.
Translation: Living piously as a wise hierarch, you glorified the Lord with a virtuous life, venerable Nektarios. Therefore, glorified by the power of the Comforter, your holy relics cast out demons and heal the sick who come to you in faith.
Troparion, tone 1
Silivri industry and guardian of Aegina, who appeared in the last summer, other sincere virtues, Nektarios is almost sure as a servant of the divine Christ: to sharpen for Zelbio the many different sobs of Christ piously glorified thanks to You, who bestowed glory on the miracles of grace, thanks to imagine all the healing.
Translation: Selybria is the sprout and guardian Aegina who recently appeared to us, the close friend of virtue, Nektarios, we will honor the faithful as the priest of Christ, as he radiates many different healings, reverently exclaiming: “Glory to Christ who glorified, glory to Him who gave you miracles of grace, glory to Him who gives you healing through you.”
Kontakion, tone 2
Divine thunder, trumpet of the spirit, faith in the sower and dispeller of heresies, the Trinity is a prayer, the great saint Nectarios will probably come from Angela, praying unceasingly over them all.
Translation: Divine thunder, spiritual trumpet, sower of faith and dissector of heresies, holy Trinity, great holy Nectarios, always standing with the angels, pray unceasingly for us all.
First prayer
O flowing head of myrrh, holy Nectar, bishop of God! During the time of the great apostasy, I captured the world with evil, you shone with pity, and the head of the barrier Dennitsa, who bit us, crushed you. This is for the sake of Christ's gift to heal incurable ulcers, because our iniquity has overcome us. We believe: you will love the righteous God, so that you will be merciful to us sinners, he will leave you from oaths, he will free you from illnesses, and his name will be great and glorious throughout the world, his Father and Son and Holy One. Amen.
Second prayer
O Saint Nektarios, wise father! Accept, guardian of the Orthodox faith, the confession of the people of Christ, gathered today in church by the grace of God living in you. God's message has reached the borders of Russia, just like you, in the holy supper of Christ, to all the ends of the universe to those who call your name, you are and you have given healing from cancer. Hear about the priest, your namesake, and about the temple in your name, which he built with great difficulty. The cancerous ulcer with breast ulcer is affected by the blood, which grows every day, and the suffering is severe, but you do not give up your holy work. From the road, for the saint of a thousand mercies, you came down from heaven, you appeared to him in the temple in visible form. But he, without hearing your brother, from the death of being, please ask for your prayers and say: “I hurt you, I am great, you both want the saint to give so that he does not sing the holy liturgy once; when I am ready to die, death does not fear me.” But you, father, are free, your face is better from tears! and that about the sick, kisses and verbs: “Do not grieve, my child, as if the disease has been checked, the health of the future will be. They tell them all about the miracles." But the one who was healed without any reason, with whom you spoke, was invisible to you. Oh, the great feast of Christ Nectaria! Dizziness! We, from knowledge, like the prayer of a saint, must be accompanied by our zeal in serving God and the determination to die for Christ in order to enjoy good health. Pray for you, righteous father, your sorrowful part: be the will of God fulfilled in us, good, pleasant and perfect, does not die for the sinner, but also for him, turn and live. But you, declaring the will of God, were healed by your manifestation of grace, may God be great in heaven and on earth forever and ever! Amen.
Death and Glorification
Even during his lifetime, many revered Nectarius of Aegina as a saint of God. Currently, his relics are kept in the Trinity Monastery, which was restored by the elder. His body was discovered incorrupt when it was decided to rebury the coffin. And even the flowers that believers brought to their beloved mentor of faith remained fresh, as if they had just been picked.
- Saint Macarius the Great - life, prayer, conversations, word on purity
- Theodosius of the Caucasus - see here
- Ambrose Optinsky -
The old man died in an ordinary hospital, among the poor. He had to endure severe pain, but everyone heard from him only words of gratitude to the Lord. After the reverend's death, his clothes were accidentally left on the next bed. The paralyzed man lying there was able to get up! Miracles continued at the grave of Nectarios of Aegina.
The icon depicts an old man with the Gospel or an icon of the Virgin Mary in his hand. After all, he devoted his entire life to fulfilling the Word of God. It can be either in bishop’s vestments or simply in a monastic black cassock. Witnesses say that the saint was very modest in life, including in his clothes, and never boasted of his high ranks.
The Akathist to Nektarios of Aegina is read during serious illnesses; they also ask for the enlightenment of the mind, so that it opens to the Word of God. It is no secret that everyone understands it as much as they have spiritual strength. The saint was famous for his kindness, meekness, and love for others; ordinary people loved him very much. Therefore, you should expect a quick answer and help from him - just ask with all your spiritual faith.
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Prayer
Oh, Saint Nektarios, God-wise Father! Receive, guardian of the Orthodox faith, the confession from the lips of people named after Christ, gathered today in the temple by the grace of God living in you. The news has reached the Russian borders, as you, the great servant of Christ in the saints, appear to those who call on your name in all corners of the universe and grant healing from cancer. We have heard about the priest, your namesake, who built a temple in your name, with great sorrow. I was stricken with a cancerous chest ulcer, bleeding every day, and I suffered fiercely; but you do not abandon your holy work. Suddenly you, O most merciful Saint, descended from heaven and appeared to him in the temple in a visible form. He, the unseeing thy brother, was alone from mortals, asking for your prayers and saying: “I am a great one, otherwise I want to restore the holy altar, so that once again I will perform the holy liturgy together with the parishioners; “I am ready to die afterwards; death does not frighten me.” You, father, are incorporeal, your face is wet with tears! and the volume of the sufferer, kissing and saying: “Do not grieve, my child, as if you have been tested by illness, you will be healthy. Everyone knows about this miracle.” He, having been healed, was, in your mind, with whom you were talking, invisible to you. Oh, great servant of Christ Nectarius! This temple is now complete and your miracles are like an overflowing sea, multiplying! We know that the prayer of the righteous must be hastened by our zeal for the service of God and I resolve to die for Christ, so that we may find health. Your sick child prays to you, righteous father: may God’s will be done to us, good, pleasing and perfect, not wanting the sinner to die, but to turn and live for him. You, the herald of God’s will, heal us with your grace-filled appearance, may God be great in heaven and on earth forever and ever! Amen.
Life
The saint was born in 1846 into a family of poor, pious parents. The child showed ability to study, but there was no money in the family for education, and Saint Nektarios, as a 14-year-old teenager, took responsibility for his destiny.
The teenager went to Constantinople, worked in a tobacco factory, but was unable to save money for his studies. Then he wrote a letter to the Lord God asking for help. The neighbor secretly opened the letter and, moved, sent money to the teenager.
At the age of 22, already having experience in effective prayer, Saint Nektarios began to work as a teacher and preach, created a wonderful church choir and gained the respect of teachers and students.
Striving for monasticism, the young man took monastic vows on Holy Athos, but continued to study and graduated from the Faculty of Theology in Athens.
At the age of forty he was ordained a priest, then to the rank of Bishop of Pentapolis. At this time, Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker appears to Saint Nektarios in a dream, speaks and gives a kiss as a sign of the kinship of souls in Christ.
The love of the people, the attention of the Patriarch, the righteous and pure life of Saint Nektarios aroused envy and hatred on the part of the clergy, who could not reach such heights. Most of all, envious people feared that Saint Nektarios would be a successful contender for the place of His Holiness Patriarch.
The saint was slandered, accused of living an immoral life. The hostility of the clergy pursued him in other lands, where he moved after being deprived of his bishopric.
Nectarios of Aegina did not try to justify himself; in his sermons he pointed out that peace of mind, peace of mind and a good conscience are the most valuable of blessings. In his destiny, he completely trusted God's will, gratefully accepting unrighteous persecution.
The bishop was deprived not only of his post and glory, but also of his daily bread. One of the officials had difficulty obtaining for him the position of a simple preacher, but even here the saint was met with wary hostility.
Saint Nektarios regained the people's love. Listening to his passionate sermons, people were imbued with faith and strove for him. The glory from the province reached the Greek royal court, and Queen Olga became the spiritual daughter of the disgraced bishop. Thanks to her efforts, Saint Nektarios was accepted to the position of director of the theological school.
At this time, the Lord showed His gifts in the humble old man - insight and the gift of healing. Spiritual children began to gather around him, people came running for guidance and help.
But the elder did not abandon simple physical labor and humility. During the serious illness of the theological school janitor, he secretly washed the floors in the classrooms and toilets.
Then the saint restored the abandoned monastery on the island of Aegina and established there the institution of deaconesses, which had disappeared from Orthodox practice.
The saint predicted to the girls that the monastery would be rich provided they did their spiritual work - the monastery still has good income in our time. For twelve years he taught and mentored the sisters of the monastery in theological sciences. The girls repeatedly witnessed miracles and inexplicable spiritual phenomena.
Shortly before his death, the saint became seriously ill with cancer, and when the illness became impossible to bear, he agreed to go to the hospital. The employees of the medical institution were surprised to see the bishop, dressed in a modest monastic robe, without the attributes of power, and most importantly, without money.
Saint Nektarios spent the last two months of his life in a modest ward for incurable patients, suffering from terrible pain. The bandages removed from the saint’s ulcers smelled fragrant, and the neighbors in the ward were healed from his clothes.
Immediately after his death, the body of Saint Nektarios began to flow myrrh. The clothes of the people carrying the coffin of the deceased “travelling bishop” were fragrant.
Saint Nektarios was canonized in 1961, 40 years after his death. His body, clothes, and even the flowers placed in the coffin were incorruptible for a long time, but at the time of canonization only bones remained in the tomb. The spirit-bearing elders interpreted what happened as follows: the saint wants his relics to be spread throughout the world as a blessing.
