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| St. Leo of Methoni (Feast Day - May 12) |
Saint Leo of Methoni was born in Calabria of Italy and it is said that he "possessed only one garment and was barefoot, fasting and keeping vigils."
During a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, being overwhelmed by his ascetic lifestyle, he died at sea once Methoni could be seen, which from the fourth century was an obligatory stop for travelers to and from the Holy Land. Then the sailors buried his lifeless body on the beach of Methoni.
Years later Saint Leo appeared to Bishop Nicholas of Methoni, an eminent theologian of the twelfth century, who proceeded to transfer his sacred relic, which immediately began to be a source of miracles.
The honor of the Saint ceased around the year 1600, then more than four hundred years later Metropolitan Chrysostomos III of Messinia (2007-present) reinstated his memory to be celebrated on May 12th.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
