Saint Bessarion of Agathonos Remembers the Christmas of 1941

 By Dr. Haralambos Bousias

It was a few days before Christmas in the year 1988. In the Guesthouse of the Agathonos Monastery which has a hanging fireplace, Elder Bessarion was reading a Christian publication. He was engrossed and seemed moved.

Suddenly the current Abbot, Father Damaskenos, who was sitting near him and writing Christmas cards, realized that the Elder was crying and trying to wipe away his tears.

"Why are you crying, my father?" he asked him.

"I'm fine, my child," he replied, "don't worry!"

Synaxarion of our Venerable Father Bessarion of Agathonos

 By Metropolitan Joel of Edessa

On this day [January 22] we commemorate our Venerable Father Bessarion the New, the merciful and discerning, who lived in asceticism and completed his life at the Monastery of Agathonos in Phthia, where his holy relic was uncovered from the grave, and was found to be incorrupt.

Verses

Sacrificer of the Master Christ Bessarion,
Cover those who sing your hymns in their prayers.

Elder Bessarion of Agathonos Has Been Canonized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate

Today, June 14, 2022, the Ecumenical Patriarchate proceeded with the canonization of the beloved Elder Bessarion of Agathonos, who reposed on January 22, 1991.

Metropolitan Symeon of Fthiotida offered the following urgent local announcement upon the numbering of our Venerable and God-bearing Father Bessarion of Agathonos, who is also known as the Merciful and as the Spiritual Father, among the Saints of the Orthodox Church.