For more than fifteen years, the Mystagogy Resource Center has been a labor of love dedicated to making the riches of the Orthodox Christian tradition freely available to people throughout the world. Thousands of articles, translations, lives of saints, theological reflections, historical resources, and daily materials have been published across this ministry’s websites, all offered free of charge for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Orthodox faith. This is a one-man ministry that requires countless hours of research, translation, writing, editing, and maintenance each day. If this work has spiritually benefited, educated, encouraged, or inspired you in any way, I humbly ask you to consider supporting this ministry financially. Your donations help sustain and expand this work, maintain the websites, fund future projects and publications, and allow me to continue dedicating my time to serving the Church through this ministry. Every contribution, whether large or small, truly makes a difference and is deeply appreciated. May God bless you abundantly for your generosity and prayers.  

Support this ministry securely through PayPal:



December 23, 2022

Saint Porphyrios and the Visit of Divine Grace Before Christmas: A True Testimony Similar to "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens

 
It was the days leading up to the Christmas of 1993. I was in a very difficult situation: physical sicknesses and horrible pains, revolts of the passions, warfare with the devil and through men.

I said: "My Christ, what kind of Christmas am I going to have this year?" Then I called upon the Elder [Porphyrios].

(Just before he reposed he said to me: "Call on me.")

On the night of December 22, as soon as I was able to fall asleep, he came.

At first I thought he was still alive, and he said to me:

"Come and take me for a ride."

I grab him and instead of taking him, he took me. We were together, I think, all night.

We traveled to many places, we also came to the Monastery, we also visited the children.

The next day in the morning everything went away: sorrows, melancholy, worries, intrusive thoughts, everything went away and there came serenity, peace, joy, good thoughts, humble and forgiving thoughts for everyone and for everything, and above all a preparation for my deeper lonely state.

It was a visit of Divine Grace through Elder Porphyrios. That's what my discerning spiritual father told me.

Source: From the book Θαυμαστά γεγονότα και συμβουλές του Γέροντος Πορφυρίου. Translation by John Sanidopoulos.
 
 

BECOME A PATREON OR PAYPAL SUBSCRIBER