December 25, 2018

When St. Iakovos of Evia Celebrated Christmas in the Forest


By Haralambos Bousias

"Yes, my good children! My joy was so great from the Nativity of Christ, that I couldn't keep it to myself. I said to myself, 'Dumb Iakovos, go into the forest to chant [Christ is born, glorify Him].' And as I was chanting the birds came and chanted together with me."

This Saint Iakovos of Evia told to students who came as pilgrims to the Monastery of Saint David, when, after the vigil of Christmas, they took a walk in the forest and saw the holy elder chanting, surrounded by birds.