St. Symeon

Blessed Symeon, the Simple Porter of Piraeus

In 1922 there came from Asia Minor with the refugees a Greek orphan named Symeon. He settled in Piraeus in a small shack and there grew up by himself. He had a carriage by which he did the work of a porter, carrying things to the port of Piraeus. He was illiterate and did not even know many things about our faith. He
had blessed simplicity and simple unquestionable faith.

When he came to the age of marriage he was betrothed, had two children, and moved with his family to Nikaia. Every morning he went to the port of Piraeus to make his little bread money. However, each morning he would pass the Church of Saint Spyridon, enter within, and stand before the icon screen. Then he would remove his hat and say: “Good morning, my Christ, it is Symeon. Help me to make my bread.”

At night when he would finish his work and pass the church, he would again enter and stand before the icon screen, saying: “Good evening, my Christ, it is Symeon. I thank you that you helped me today once again.”

And so did the years of blessed Symeon pass. Around the year 1950 all the members of his family fell ill with tuberculosis and reposed in the Lord. Symeon was left all alone and continued his job without complaint and never failed to pass by the Church of Saint Spyridon to wish Christ a good morning and a good evening, asking his help and thanking him.

 

When Symeon aged, he became ill. He entered the hospital and was hospitalized for about a month. A matron from Patras asked him at one point:

"Pappou, you have been here so many days, yet no one has come to visit you. Do you have no one in the world?"

"My child, every morning and evening Christ comes and consoles me."

"And what does he say, Pappou?"

"Good morning Symeon, it is Christ, have patience. Good evening Symeon, it is Christ, have patience."

The matron thought this was strange and invited her Spiritual Father, Fr. Christodoulos Fasos, to come and see Symeon, since perhaps he was deluded. Fr. Christodoulos visited him, they had a conversation, he asked the question of the matron, and Symeon made the same response.

During the same morning and evening hours that Symeon would go to the church and greet Christ, now Christ greeted Symeon. The Spiritual Father asked him:

"Perhaps it is your imagination?"

"No, Father, I am not delusional. It is Christ."

"Did he come today?"

"He came."

"And what did he say?"

"Good morning Symeon, it is Christ, have patience. In three days I will bring you near to me, early in the morning."

The Spiritual Father every day went to the hospital, spoke with him, and learned about his life. He understood that this was perhaps a blessed man. On the third day, in the early morning, he went again to see Symeon to confirm if the foreseeing of his death would come to pass.

Indeed, as they were chatting, Symeon suddenly shouted: "Christ has come!", and he reposed in the sleep of the righteous. May his memory be eternal. Amen.

From Ascetics in the World (AZKHTEE MEZA TON KOEMO 2008, pp. 350-351, Halkidiki.

On Observing Orthodox Tradition

St. Nilus of Sora ca. 1443-1508

No one should be neglectful to observe the word of God, but he should confess his own weakness and not cover up God’s truth. In this way we will not be guilty of any crime against the commands and words of God by speaking in this way. For such are the words of the holy Fathers and according to them we, by searching out the holy Writings, pass them on to those who come to us and seek such teachings. We, however, unworthy though we are, do not hide the writings of the blessed Fathers on Sacred Scripture and carefully teach them to those who dwell with us, which always brings great danger. If any one of the brothers should fall away from these traditions out of sloth or carelessness, he should have to confess such violations to the elder and in this way the elder can correct his fault.

(The Complete Writings: The Tradition)

The Place of the Skull Became Paradise

St. Caesarius of Arles ca. 470-542

Blesse Jerome, a priest, wrote that he knew most certainly from the ancient Jews and elders that Christ our Lord was afterwards crucified in the place where Isaac was offered. Lastly, from the place whence blessed Abraham was commanded to depart, he arrived on the third day at the place where Christ our Lord was crucified. This, too, is mentioned in the account of the ancients, that in the very place  where the Cross was fastened the first Adam once was buried. Moreover, it was called the place of Calvary for the very reason that the first head of the human race is said to have been buried there. Truly, brethren, not unfittingly is it believed that the physician was raised up where the sick man lay. It was right that divine mercy should bend down in the place where human pride had fallen. The precious Blood may be believed to have corporally redeemed the ashes of the sinner of old by deigning to touch it with its drops. 

(Sermon 84, On Abraham and His Son Isaac)

Note: Below the feet of Christ is four Slavonic letters meaning: “The place of the skull became Paradise”. Hidden in a cave under the earth is ‘the skull of Adam’. We are thus reminded that Adam our  forefather lost Paradise through the tree from which he wrongly pas e new Adam, bringing us Salvation and Paradise through the tree of the Cross.

St. Cyril of Jerusalem

If you shall hear that bishops advance against bishops, and clergy against clergy, and people against people even unto blood, be not troubled; for it has been written before. Take no notice of the things now happening but the things which are written. Even if I who am teaching you am to die, you do not die with me. No, a hearer may even become better than his teacher, and he who came last might be first, since the master receives even those of the eleventh hour. If among the Apostles there was found treason are you surprised that even among the bishops there is found hatred of the brethren? But the sign concerns not only rulers, but the people for He says, And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Will any then among those present boast that he entertains sincere friendship towards his neighbor? Do not the lips often kiss, and the face smile, and the eyes brighten truthfully, while the heart is guile, and plotting mischief with words of peace?

(Catechetical Lectures, 15 7)