By Dr. Haralambos M. Bousias
The Holy Elder Iakovos was not only privileged to see Angels and Archangels at the Holy Altar.
He also saw Michael the Commander of the Heavenly Army giving him instructions for the construction of his church outside the Liturgy.
In 1961 Father Iakovos together with the then abbot decided to build a chapel in honor of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel.
The abbot chose the place and demarcated the area. At night, however, an officer with a golden sword, tall, blond and handsome, appeared to Father Iakovos and said to him:
"I am the Archangel Michael. I do not wish my temple to be built where you marked, but here where I will show you."
And immediately he stooped down, took the stakes that the abbot had placed and carried them to another area, where the venerable Elder found them in the morning.
In fact, at the suggestion again of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, who appeared again to Father Iakovos, the temple was built with materials that were not available in the area, but which, through his intervention, were generously donated by devout Christians.
As for the required sand, the adjacent river flooded and brought down as much sand as was needed for the construction and completion of the temple.
This event is commemorated in the monastery every year on September 6, together with the "miracle at Chonais" of the Archangel Michael and even with a special Service for this purpose.
Source: Translation by John Sanidopoulos.
