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August 3, 2014

Elder Simon Arvanitis and the Multiplication of the Loaf


One day a coach arrived at the Monastery with 50 people. The Elder said to Fr. Zosimas to give them something to eat. Fr. Zosimas prepared the dining room and saw that they had no bread, except only one loaf. What was he to do? He took it and brought it to the Elder and said: "Elder, we have no bread, except this one loaf."

And the Elder said: "Bring it here." Receiving it, he blessed it and said: "Do not be afraid, but cut it in the basket. It will be enough for everyone to eat and then some."

Fr. Zosimas took it and began to cut it. He was cutting and cutting bread, and the loaf would not finish! The entire coach ate and there were an abundance of pieces of bread left. He told the Elder about this miracle, and the Elder said: "You should believe and you will see greater miracles."

Source: Monk Zosimas, Hieromonk Simon Arvanitis (1901-1988): His Life and Works, vol. 3, Athens, p. 27. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.