 |
| Translation of the Relics of St. Christodoulos from Evia to Patmos (Feast Day - October 21) |
Our Venerable Father Christodoulos was born in 1020 in Nicaea of Bithynia, and became a monk at a young age at Mount Olympus in Bithynia. From there he lived a monastic life and established monasteries in Palestine, Mount Latros, Lycea and Kos. In 1080 he left Kos and went to Patmos, where he established the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian in 1088. In 1092 he left Patmos because of the successive Saracen raids and took refuge with his companions in the area of Limni in northern Evia.
While in Evia, one tradition says Saint Christodoulos stayed in the home of a wealthy man which he allowed to become a monastery for the short duration he stayed there, while another tradition says he found a cave to stay in in the western part of Limni. It was there he wrote his Last Will and Testament. Before his repose he advised his companions to take his body back to Patmos once the Saracen raids ceased and traveling by sea became safe. On March 16, 1093 he reposed in peace in Evia.
It was not long before the desire of the Saint was fulfilled, and the seas became calm from the pirate raids. As the monks prepared to translate the relic of the Saint to Patmos, the local residents gathered to prevent it, for the Saint was for them a source of comfort, grace and healing and they came to love his presence among them. For this reason the monks escaped secretly at night, escaping the attention of the guards, carrying their Holy Elder's body on their shoulders to the boat. Therefore his body was translated to Patmos on October 21, 1094 and it was received with much celebration. It was placed in a marble sarcophagus on the right side of the monastery's narthex, where the monks built a chapel for the Saint. Later, his miraculous relic was placed in a silver-plated shrine, which dates back to 1796, and it is still a source of healing and comfort and a support for those who come with faith and reverence.
Apolytikion in the Second Tone
Thou didst quench the heat of the passions, by the flow of thy tears, O Father Christodoulos. We pray with faith: deliver us from passions and evils, for thou art interceding unceasingly for us.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Rejoicing at the return of thy honorable relics, thy flock cries to thee with faith: Thou hast come, thou hast appeared, my guardian and deliverer, O holy Christodoulos.
 |
| Chapel and Tomb of St. Christodoulos in Patmos |
 |
| Skull of St. Christodoulos |
