Encyclical on the Canonization of Saint Gervasios of Patras

From Patras on the 16th of November 2023

 

Protocol Number 329

 

 Encyclical 454th

CHRYSOSTOMOS

BY THE MERCY OF GOD METROPOLITAN OF THE MOST HOLY

AND APOSTOLIC METROPOLIS OF PATRAS

To

the Christeponymous Body

of the Holy Metropolis of Patras

My blessed children,

Today is a day of celebration and gladness for the city of Patras.

The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, following the august announcement by His All-Holiness and Ecumenical Patriarch, Mr. Bartholomew, ranked among the Saints of our Orthodox Church, the sanctified spiritual father and Preacher of Patras, the fervent teacher of the divine Dogmas of the Church, the God-loving, Saint-loving and People-loving, the Priest of the poor and refugees, the nurterer of widows and orphans, the founder of the first Catechetical School in Greece, the student of Saint Nektarios, the grandfather of the people of Patras, Venerable Gervasios Paraskevopoulos, the renowned and sign-bearing Priest, the beloved of the people, the zealous and ardent worker of the Lord's Vineyard.
 
We glorify and praise with hymns the all-holy name of our God worshiped in Trinity, who lavishly gifted and grace these People, the descendants of the Proto-apostle, the fisher of souls, Andrew, who like Jesus Christ, stretched out his arms on the Cross.

Today, the heavens above shine with spiritual lightning.

Today the sweet Mother of our Lord, the Theotokos, the mother and comforter of the orphaned little George and later Father Gervasios, celebrates with the angels.

Today, the Hierarch of Pentapolis, Saint Nektarios the miracle-gusher, is rejoicing in heaven, for his holy Disciple.

Today the renowned and great Hierarch of Patras Hierotheos Metropoulos, the protector of Venerable Gervasios, enjoys the spiritual inheritance of his son in heaven.

Today, the blessed Hierarch of Hydra, Hierotheos of eternal memory, the excellent disciple and devoted spiritual child of Fr. Gervasios, with sweet-sounds and modesty, glorifies the Lord with gladness and spiritually cries out: "Who is so great a God as our God, You alone are the God who works wonders."

Today the revered Priests, those in Patras who share in the calling, the association, with hands and hearts lifted to heaven, bless the blessed and tireless Priest with songs and hymns and spiritual odes.

Today, the village which gave birth to him, Granitsa, or Nymphasia of Gortynia and all of saint-producing Arcadia spiritually celebrates for her holy son.

Today also my Elder of eternal memory, the sweet High Priest, the man of love, the late Metropolitan of Mantineia and Kynouria, Mr. Theokletos, together with the Church in heaven, crowns Gervasios with songs, the Gervasios who gave him the testimony to enter the ranks of the Sacred Clergy.

Today, the High Priest of Patras, by the mercy of God, that is, I, the least of all, with what power I have in my heart, exclaim in glory to God: "Great are You, O Lord, and wonderful are your works, and no word can suffice to hymn your wonders," and kneeling down from the depths of my soul, most-reverently and in tears I cry out: "Through the intercessions of Venerable Gervasios, O Lord, have mercy on the city of Patras and its chosen people."

Lord, through the intercessions of Venerable Gervasios, pacify your war-torn world.

Lord, through the intercessions of Venerable Gervasios, keep His All-Holiness and Ecumenical Patriarch and bestow upon him the most abundant things, consecrated, full of heavenly graces, to the glory of Your All-Holy Name and the good repute of your Holy Orthodox Church.

Beloved children in the Lord, today on this clear day, we will hasten all of us Clergy and People, to the land of the Saint, where the tomb of Saint Gervasios is located, where is the Temople of Saint Paraskevi in Sychaina, within which are kept the sacred and myrrh-scented Relics of Venerable Gervasios.

Today at 5 p.m. in the evening, the People of Patras, with much reverence will venerate the Saint, and those who glorify him will be exalted by the Lord.

Let us all hasten there, where the Saint is, where his Relics are, giving thanks to God, blessing the Most Holy Theotokos and Venerable Gervasios, and venerate with much reverence.

Brothers and sisters and children in the Lord.

Glory be to God for all things.

With paternal blessings and love in the Lord,

THE METROPOLITAN

CHRYSOSTOMOS OF PATRAS

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.