Icon with Saint Hierarch Nectarios – embroidered, framed, 21x27cm
Saint Nectarios, bishop of Pentapolis and founder of the monastery "Holy Trinity" on the island of Aegina, was canonized by the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople in 1961, with his feast day celebrated on November 9th.
He lived as an angel in the flesh, illuminating the path to Christ through ceaseless prayer, silence, humility, fasting, and almsgiving, spreading peace, joy, and the light of the Holy Spirit upon those who came to him.
Born in the year 1846 in Silivria of Thrace, to poor but devout parents, he was baptized with the name Anastasios and received an exceptional Christian education. Studying theology in Constantinople, his soul gradually opened to Christ through prayer and contemplation of sacred teachings.
The devil, unable to defeat him through pride or self-love, attempted to wound him with envy and jealousy from other hierarchs and servants of the Church of Alexandria. This temptation led to his expulsion from Egypt.
In humility, seeking forgiveness, Saint Nectarios glorified God, thus fulfilling the words of the Savior: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me" (Matthew 5:11).
In the year 1891, he withdrew to Athens, being ignored and defamed by those around him, having his full trust in God and the prayers of the Mother of God.
In his advanced age, in the years 1904-1907, with the support of his faithful and disciples, he built a beautiful monastery on the island of Aegina. Here, he lived a life of humility, dedication, and prayer, burning with the spirit for Christ.
He passed into eternity on November 9, 1920, after suffering for a year and a half from prostate cancer. He was buried in his monastery by the hieromonk and iconographer Sava, who later painted the first icon of the saint.
