"I Expect the Resurrection of the Dead" Were the Last Words of Saint Parthenios of Chios

The time came when Saint Parthenios of Chios (+ 1883) received the heavenly message of his departure... since he longed for heaven all his life. A day of joy was the day he realized that the time had come for the heavenly journey. He lived for this hour. "When will I face the unspeakable beauty face to face? When shall I come and behold the face of God?' he wondered.

45 years of rigorous asceticism had passed. He had been an ascetic since he was 23 years old and was now 68 years old.

One night, as he slept peacefully in his wet and wild cave, a dream filled him with joy. He saw our Lady the Theotokos!

"Parthenios," she said to him, "in three days your resting place will be ready. The saints are waiting for you!"

Saint Parthenios of Chios, the Turkish Officer and the Bishop

Saint Parthenios of Chios (1815-1883), while still a young monk, wanted to asceticize in the area of Mount Penthodos, which belonged to Nea Moni of Chios. The abbot Meletios Flouras not only did not allow him to do so, but also reported him to the Bishop of Chora, Gregory Konstantinides. The Bishop then sent a Turkish officer to arrest the Saint and bring him before him.

The Turkish officer, a man of simplicity and goodwill, went armed and met the young ascetic.

"Are you the monk? Are you the one causing a fuss? Where is your monastery?"

The Saint showed him a cave and a small chapel made of dry stone.