In 1961, Abbot Nikodemos and Hieromonk Iakovos decided to build a chapel in honor of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel (at the Monastery of the Venerable David in Evia). The abbot chose the spot, marked it off with pegs, and departed for Limni.
The same night, a tall, blonde, handsome officer with a golden sword appeared to Fr. Iakovos and told him: "Father, I am Archangel Michael. I don't want my temple to be built in the place where the pegs have been placed, but rather where I'll show you." He stooped down and carried the pegs farther. In the morning, Fr. Iakovos found the pegs moved over.
They planned to build the chapel with mud and straw, as there were no other means available. The next night, two officers with golden swords appeared to Fr. Iakovos and told him: "We are Archangels Michael and Gabriel. Tell your elder that we don't want our house to be built with mud and straw, but rather, with sand, lime, and wood. And on the roof we want tiles."
Such materials, though, did not exist up there in the mountain. There was much poverty and, in addition, there was no good road to transport them. When Fr. Iakovos asked the Archangels about this, they answered him: "Don't worry, Father, we'll take care of these things. It will rain at night and the stream will bring down a lot of sand. The rest of the materials will be provided by pious Christians." Everything turned out as it was foretold, in a wondrous manner.
Source: The Garden of the Holy Spirit (Elder Iakovos of Evia), By S.G. Papadopoulos, p. 86.
