The Miracle of the Kalimavkion of Saint Dionysios of Zakynthos

When you see an icon of Saint Dionysios of Zakynthos, you will notice that although he was a Bishop who is wearing episcopal vestments, on his head he does not wear the traditional mitre that Bishops wear, but instead he wears the monastic kalimavkion and epanokalimavkion (black cylindrical hat with a black veil).

If you visit the relic of Saint Dionysios in his church in Zakynthos, you will see the same thing; he was not buried with a mitre, but he is wearing the epanokalimavkion.

The Veneration of Saint Dionysios in Zakynthos

 

By Dionysis Flemotomos

The memory of Saint Dionysios, as everyone knows, is celebrated on December 17. It is, as it is typically called, the feast of "our Saint", without any other elaboration.

Veneration and Honor

Much could be said about his veneration and the honor bestowed on him by his fellow-natives, and endless disagreements were created, especially by the fanatical theologians, since the Saint often substitutes even God in the conscience of Zakynthians. Thus the expression "I do not believe in gods and religions, but I believe in the Saint" is an additional example of local uniqueness and shows the bond of all the inhabitants of the island with the "native" Saint, who lived on their soil and understands them like nobody else. In fact, he is completely theirs and that is why they supplicate him as: "Agios mou Kormaki" (my Holy Body) which is a beautiful expression emphasizing his physical presence among them, or the more humane: "Agios mou Sigouros" (my Saint Sigouros), invoking his surname.

The Saint Who Lied to Save His Brother’s Murderer

By Metropolitan Dionysios of Servia and Kozani

Saint Dionysios was born in Zakynthos in 1547, of parents who were distinguished on the island for their high social standing and sound financial position. At an early age, the Saint of God left all this behind, social status and wealth, and entered the Monastery of our Panagia the Joy of All, which is in Strofadia, two small vine-covered islands in the Ionian Sea, to the south of Zakynthos.

Saint Dionysios of Zakynthos and the Dead Woman Under Excommunication

One one occasion, when Saint Dionysios found himself in the city, a funeral was being conducted in the cemetery of the Church of Saint Nicholas of the Strangers. The church was named this way because many strangers were buried in that plot of land. This church was also the Metropolitan Cathedral of Zakynthos. It happened that the people opened a certain grave, so that they might bury someone else inside. There they discovered a woman who had long been dead, but whose body and clothing had not decomposed. The reason for this was because this wretched woman had died under the ban of excommunication.

Saint Dionysios of Zakynthos Resource Page

Verses

Leaving the earthly, now he dwells in the heavens,

The boast of Zakynthos, Dionysios the New.

Synaxarion of Saint Dionysios the New of Zakynthos (Dec. 17th)

Saint Dionysios of Zakynthos (1)

Saint Dionysios of Zakynthos (2)

Saint Dionysios of Zakynthos (3)

The Saint Who Lied to Save His Brother’s Murderer

Saint Dionysios as Archbishop of Aegina (1577-1578) 

 

The Cave of St. Gerasimos the New Ascetic in Zakynthos 

 

The "Little" Metropolitan Church of St. Eleutherios in Athens 

 

Saint Dionysios of Zakynthos and the Dead Woman Under Excommunication 

 

A Case of Vampirism in the Life of Saint Dionysios of Zakynthos 

  

Translation of the Sacred Relic of Saint Dionysios of Zakynthos (Aug. 24th) 

 

The Veneration of Saint Dionysios in Zakynthos 

 

When Saint Dionysios of Zakynthos Welcomed Saint Nektarios to Aegina

 

Saint Dionysios of Zakynthos Answers a Pious Woman's Prayers 

 

The Sacred Slippers of Saint Dionysios - History and Tradition 

 

The Miracle of the Kalimavkion of Saint Dionysios of Zakynthos

 

The Metropolitan of Zakynthos On His Relationship With St. Dionysios 

 

Strofades Monastery and the Massacre of 1537 

 

The Liturgical Vesting of an Orthodox Priest (Video)

 

Magic Johnson Visits Saint Dionysios in Zakynthos

 

 

Translation of the Sacred Relic of Saint Dionysios of Zakynthos

On the twenty-fourth of this month [August], we commemorate the Translation of the revered Relic of our Holy Father Dionysios, Archbishop of Aegina, and its return from Strofades to Zakynthos.

Verses

Your offspring now happens to be incorrupt,

Be glad Zakynthos, with extreme gladness.

On the twenty-fourth the body comes healing mortals.

On 17 December 1622 Saint Dionysios reposed in his Monastery on the island of Zakynthos at the age of 75, with a last wish that he be buried in the Church of Saint George on the nearby Strofades islands at Strofades Monastery, where he had been a monk and served as abbot. His wish was carried out.

Synaxarion of Saint Dionysios the New of Zakynthos

St. Dionysios of Zakynthos (Feast Day - December 17)

Our Holy Father Dionysios the New, who came from Zakynthos, and became Archbishop of Aegina, was perfected in peace.

By St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite

Verses

Leaving the earthly, now he dwells in the heavens,

The boast of Zakynthos, Dionysios the New.

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The earth has the body of Dionysios the New,

And his soul is carried away to Heaven.

On the seventeenth the renowned Dionysios died.

Our Holy Father Dionysios came from the island of Zakynthos, the son of wealthy and noble parents, Mokios Sigouros and Paulina Valvi. Having been taught sacred letters, and by this was enlightened to recognize the vanity of this present world, then he turned away from pleasure, wealth, glory and every other enjoyment of this present life, and he withdrew from his homeland of Zakynthos, going to the sacred Monastery of Strophades, which is located opposite Zakynthos, at a distance of about forty miles. There the thrice-blessed one became a Monk, giving himself over to the spiritual struggles of the monastic state, in fasting, vigils, prayers, pursuing all the virtues, in a way that he excelled over all the Fathers of the Monastery, even the most virtuous and elderly. He especially struggled to acquire humility. Thus, although he was from an illustrious family, he considered himself the least and most unworthy of all. Wherefore due to this virtue he was elevated to the office of the Priesthood, being ordained to the order of Reader, Subdeacon, Deacon and Presbyter.

The Metropolitan of Zakynthos On His Relationship With St. Dionysios

With today being the feast of the translation of the sacred relics of St. Dionysios of Zakynthos from Strofadon Monastery to Zakynthos, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Zakynthos gave the following moving homily describing his relationship with St. Dionysios from his infant years till the present, and the many amazing miracles he has seen the Saint perform before his very eyes over the years. The video is in Greek.