THE RESTORATION OF THE HOLY MONASTERY
OF KARYES & The Holy Mother Evgenia Kleidara |
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The first period 750 years
ago (in 1235) it was a Monastery for Ladies with Igoumeni (Mother
Superior) the Holy Olympia. The second period about 500 years ago
(in 1463) with Abbot the Saint Raphael ' And today is the third period
we are living in this holy place of Karyes. Many pilgrims entreated
me to, write about my coming to this holy place and also the life
we live at Karyes, except the historic background of the Holy Monastery.
I will not refuse to satisfy all, although I would prefer to describe
only what happened to others and avoid what happened to myself. But
the love for my fellow man, is surpassing everything else. And how
can one be silent, when he has put his hand onto the print of the
nails, and has touched the true existence of the newly-appeared Saint
Martyrs? How could he not wish to also strengthen the faith of others?
Would he not have to give defence if he remained silent, when even
the stones will confess and cry out? And what purpose, I am thinking
to myself, have all these revelations, all these supernatural events
and facts? To keep them for your-self?
A Saint used to say, if it is to be that my brothers and sisters are
going to be lost, I won't wish to be saved either. I am praying with
all the fervour of my soul, the Grace of God to touch my heart and
the power of His love to act on others. Oh then, love becomes boundless,
wide... One loves the universe, he is burning with the wish for the
salvation and deliverance of others who are his brothers and sisters.
Love annihilates obstructions. When I am thinking of the superb hymnographer
of love the Apostle Paul, who was willing to lose His soul as long
as others could be saved, even those who persecuted Him. His inconceivable
grandeur, how it moves me: His luminous figure, His gleaming example
is lighting our road. |
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I know it is daring for one to write about the miracles and
revelations of Karyes. I know that one should think carefully before
mentioning even one of his visions. But since those who saw the
Saints are innumerable and since Saint Raphael shone like a sun in
our lives and with His splendour enables human beings to derive deep
knowledge and to feel in this blood-stained place the atmosphere
saturated with divine grace, when they arrive from all corners of
our tragic earth, distressed and sad, and agony is sketched on their
faces and they are deeply moved, and they are departing with an
ultramundane joy and holy emotion when the love of the newlyappeared
Martyrs is magnetizing the faithful and when the same thoughts and
feelings are shared by all, and al- though they come here with a
deadly melancholia and the unbuilt spiritual Light makes them feel a
strong attraction and an ineffable fragrance and with enthusiasm
they exclaim here is a "second Mt. Tabor", it is the "baptismal font
of Siloam", we were baptized again, and you see an unfeigned joy
shining on their faces which dispells all melancholia, how then can
one be locked up in himself and not confess at least a few of the
divine gifts, which God's condescension allows?
When one
lives under such circumstances and he sees the Light of the divine
world shining and the supernatural events are inundating his heart
with emotion which shocks him, and he remains ecstatic before the
depth of God's so much love, how can he not cry out "come and see"?
I feel deep contrition and humility before such mysteries and I feel
my being annihilated. How much splendour comes out from the gigantic
spiritual stature of Saint Raphael and His Holy Companions! Here one
finds himself in the area of divine beauty, as if he were living in
the harmony of the infinite and he is burning with divine yearning.
I will refer to at least only a few of the innumerable events which
I lived through at this blessed, holy and bloodstained place, for
the glory of the Saints. Oh, how many appearances, how many visions,
how much protection I found which the pen is weak to describe. But
no matter how much one can say, no matter how much one can write, he
will not be able to touch the reality. Great is the multitude of the
miracles, how can one remain silent, when everything around him
confesses the miraculous power of the Saints and prove their true
existence?
At this moment my mind turns back when for the first time I came
all alone to this place. It was by Divine Providence that I found
myself here. Saint Raphael was inviting me by saying to me that
I must surrender my plans to build the Church of Saint Magdalene,
which I so much wished, and I had gone to Vrilesia of Athens in
order to build it, with the per- mission of his Eminence Panteleimon
Fostine. From Chios, where I was Igoumeni (Mother Superior) at the
Holy New Monastery and at the Monastery of Holy Protection, I went
for a while to Athens for this purpose. Deep emotion prevails throughout
my whole inner being and I feet great contrition, when I think of
the appearances of Saint Raphael. "You will not build the Church,
I am foreordaining you Igoumeni (Mother Superior) for my Monastery".
Oh my God, these words by the Saint brought an earthquake to my
psychic world. The invincible Divine power had overturned all things
it engendered, other longings, other ideas, other enthusiasms. Then
the letters were arriving from different persons and they were confirming
the invitation of the Saint, emphasizing that this is His will for
me to come as Igoumeni (Mother Superior) to the place of Karyes,
and that a Monastery would be built. And after a most overwhelming
vision which I had at dawn, on that same day I found myself at this
place. Saint Raphael appeared fully alive and He said to me: "Come
I am telling you". I realized from the stern appearance which he
had that I must hasten my coming and I abandoned everything and
I started off on that same day. Likewise, Kostas Kanellos, a faithful
person from Therini travelled to Athens for this purpose, and without
knowing me he came to tell me that "we are all seeing the Saint
and he is telling us that you must come as Igoumeni to Karyes, and
the Saint himself ordered me to come and to tell you that you must
hasten your coming".
He himself relates that as soon as he got out of the ship and he
did not know neither the streets nor which direction to take,
someone approached him and asked him: "Where are you going?" He
replied: "To Vrilesia, but I do not know how to get there". "Come, I
will take you", and he dropped him off outside the house. The
confirmation of the Saint's will was with a letter which I received
from His Eminence the Metropolitan of Mytilini, Mr. lakovos, as well
as from the then Chancellor "who was President" Nicodemus
Anagnostou, the now Metropolitan of lerissos, who also showed great
interest for the future Monastery and they were writing that
'according to Saint Raphael's order, I must come as Igoumeni (Mother
Superior) because it was predestined to become a Monastery for
Ladies. And after that overwhelming vision in which I saw the Saint
calling me, I started off on the same day. As soon as I reached
Mytilini on my way to the Metropolis, I was stopped by Mrs. Stella
Karali, a resident of Mytilini who was unknown to me till then, and
she told me the following: "Would you perchance be Igoumeni Evgenia,
who is about to come to the Monastery of Karyes? "Yes, I am destined
to go there." All night my husband was saying in his sleep: "Is it
Evgenia my Saint? Evgenia?" I woke him up forcefully and I asked
him: "Which Evgenia and Evgenia are you talking about, and you did
not let me sleep?" Do you Stella. know of any lady by the name of
Evgenia, in the Angelic Order? Saint Raphael will bring her as
Igoumeni to the Monastery of Karyes." I do not know her either." I
continued my way to the Metropolis to obtain the blessing of His
Eminence and he gave me my official appointment.
I told our Metropolitan that I had with me a hundred gold pounds
which my father had given me in the past and that I would use them
for the first needs of the Monastery. Those unrepeated moments which
will accompany me to my last breath, were the first three days that
I stayed nailed down near the Holy Relics, deeply moved and ecstatic
for the so great condescension of the Saints towards me. The first
day I saw all three Saints, Saint Raphael who blessed me from a
distance of a metre, Saint Nicholaos who was standing near Him, and
above the earthern pot was Saint Irene. When you see figures of
Saints who left from this life so many centuries ago, and you
discern even the minute details, your thought stops before the
divine greatness which created all things with such wisdom. Saint
Raphael has a tall stature; he is middle-agged, with grey hair,
medium beard, a little pointed. His eyes are grey-blue, sparkling
and very expressive. He has so much, grandeur, his appearance is
imposing and in general His Divine countenance overflows with
heavenly grace and an inexpressible ultramundane beauty. In His
appearances he presents himself sometimes in his Celebrant's dress,
with gold vestments, sometimes in black clerical frocks and his
priestly high hat or without a head cover. Saint Nicholaos, a little
shorter, younger, with soft wrinkles, slender, chestnut blonde, with
a small beard, a very gentle countenance. He appears in a Deacon's
vestment or in a Monk's frock. Saint Irene is a girl of twelve years
of age. She appears in a white or yellow dress, long to her feet,
with a belt around her waist, and with blonde hair divided into two
pigtails.
How many appearances, how many miracles have followed! I remain
astounded before Their lively appearance. I am reflecting how many
times they helped me in this toilsome task and at every adversity!
I am considering how many things.were achieved, how much healing,
how many appearances in the duration of thirty-six years! What a
holy place it is here, and how great the entities of these Saints
are! Our dark era needed so much the resplendent Light of Saint
Raphael to shine from one end to the other! How much consolation
is offered to the fatigued people of our times! Oh, how much my
heart is burning with an all warm and ceaseless desire that all
distressed people find the healing of their soul and body, the psychic
calm from the storm of the world! When I consider that this place
was as the mountain opposite when I came, I marvel at the miraculous
power of Saint Raphael, who I is presiding here and thus all things
can be done. When I first came, there was not even one cell for
me to stay in. And I was offered hospitality for the nights at Thermi,
and during the day I had set up a tent until the time the cells
were built. The ardent divine desire of my mother-in-flesh, brought
her in a little while close to me and with her my attendant, Parthenia,
who followed me from Chios, when she was still living a worldly
life. Mrs. Maria Kounelli, resident of Thermi, had a vision. Saint
Raphael, Saint Nicholaos and Saint Irene visited her and They told
her: "Go up to Karyes and tell Igoumeni Evgenia that she must stay
the nights at your home together with her mother and Parthenia,
until the cells are built." And thus, during the initiat period,
we were staying the nights there. I will not forget the first days
that I came, without there being a wall built around the Monastery,
nor any iron gates, and without being asleep, I would see that Saint
Raphael was accompanying me from the lower Church towards the front
gate.
He closed from the inside the big iron gate, which in reality did
not exist, he locked it and he handed me the key. But it was big and
I made the thought why should it be so big, since they now put on
the biggest doors safety locks and the keys are small. When the time
came for the wall to be built around the Monastery and the big iron
gate to be made, the blacksmith handed to me exactly the same key
which Saint Raphael had given me. I was falling from one
astonishment to another, and every so often the Saints were
reaffirming to me their lively existence |
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In a year's time we entered into the first cell. Since then, 36
years have passed and I have to- day 45 Nuns; and is it not miraculous
that which is being accomplished with the brotherhood? We ha- ve
gathered here from different places (Germany, Australia, Athens,
Thessaloniki, Drama, Serres, Larisa, Veroia, Cyprus, Cyclades, Crete,
Chios, from different parts of Lesvos, etc.) each one with a different
upbringing, differrent ages, different customs, and we became one
family, one brotherhood and we are passing our days in harmony,
and we have become one heart; we are united with an indissoluble
bond of divine love. What else is contributing to all these other
than the protection of the Blessed Grace of Saint Raphael and His
Companions? The Monastery is continuously being built to its entirety.
The main Church has been built where the Tomb of Saint Raphael is
situated in His honour. As an Abbot, he was buried close to the
Holy Altar of the old Church. It is exactly, above the Church where
the other tombs of Saint Nicholaos, Saint Irene's, her father's,
the Community Chief Vasilios, and the teacher's, Theodoros are situated.
The Monastery has absolutely no wealth, except for the contributions
of the faithful Christians, and the surrounding land whi- ch my
father-in-fiesh bought and helped me to develop.
Is it a small miracle that my father, Philip, in order to persuade
me not to follow the Monastic life, was making promises of material
riches - as long as I did not deny the secular way of life - and
some- times he was saying that I would be disinherited from the
estate and when I would answer him that I preferred the Nun's habit
and the humility of seeking alms, he would weep. But finally he
did not disinherit me, and apart from the five purchases of the
surrounding properties at his own expense, he also helped me financially
to build a Church adjacent to the cells, for the Divine Services,
during the wild winter nights. Likewise, at the top of the mountain
a small Church dedicated to the Prophet Elias, a water reservoir
and three big cells, and all these were built after a vision. Why
the Saint showed me this location, I do not know, and the purpose
for which they are destined only the Saint knows. I had also seen
a white Cross at the spot which I had to purchase the property,
and ever since then, this is our very special piece of land which
we call White Cross. For the present time, it is our soul's rest,
the place where we take refuge for our meditation and prayer after
the inundation of people, who arrive in thousands to Saint Raphael's
port, from the storm of the world. And for the water problem which
we were facing at the Monastery, my father helped me and I had built
a large 350 cubic reservoir so that the green around the Holy Monastery
may be maintained. My father would be deeply moved when I used to
tell him of the revelations, which I had from Saint Raphael ' He
was in tears and his joy was unimaginable as he would observe the
progress of the Monastery's work. My devotion for the Saints, made
him devote himself also, and with enthusiasm he would offer whatever
I asked from him. He gave me money and I had built a Catacomb, after
a miracle by the Blessed Virgin Mary (Panaghia). She told me how
I should dig, showing me the old Church.
Indeed with the excavations, there were found various ecclesiastical
objects and the key of the Church. The Catacomb is honoured by the
name of The Blessed Virgin Mary (Panaghla) Aghia Skepi (Holy Protection).
One feels deeply moved, when entering there and he finds himself
beyond time and beyond the world; 'he feels to "be present in the
presence of God". In there we accustom ourselves to the practice
and application of the heart's prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, have
mercy upon me. ". Some time later, I had built a small Church for
Saint Magdalene in the garden in order to fulfil the wish I had
before coming here. Everything all around here talks to you of God.
It is a paradisean, an exceptionally separate corner. The garden
with the flowers, the birds, the deers, the peacocks, that remind
you of Paradise. This enchanting oasis brings to a person a psychic
lifting up, and he feels as though he is ascending high-up to other
spheres and his longing in search for the divine becomes ceaseless.
In the garden the beautiful roses, the violets, the jasmines, the
lilacs, the carnations, all are in fragrance and they are harmonized
with the divine beauties. How quickly all was done! As if a Divine
hand placed them. Who gave me this strength? Who else other than
the strong Saint? In the writing of one hundred (100) books for
which many times dawn finds me with a pen in my hand, where did
I get the fortitude from? Is it not by the blessing of Saint Raphael
that thirteen million (13.000.000) copies have been scattered in
all nations, a fact which writers and journalists regar as a phenomenon?
"At your departure Lord, the Disciples turned to work and again
ships and nets and catching no where. But you, our Saviour, appeared
as the Master of all and to the right you order them to cast the
nets, and the word immediately became act, and a great multitude
of fishes was caught and a foreign supper ready upon the earth,
of which your Disciples participated then, and now enable us spiritually
delight in it, Philanthropist Lord.
So then, You Lord, when Your blessing is absent, we are in drought.
The Apostles had ships and nets and "catching no where". But when
you appeared with one Word of Your's "a great multitude of fishes
was caught". Could I ever imagine that my books would assist so
much for the accomplishment of building the Monastery, and for the
hagiography of the Holy Church? Oh my God, help us so that we always
feel. amongst us the living presence of our Saints; how much comfort
you have given us in the harshness of today's life lacking in grace,
to live under t he protection of the all-alive Saints Raphael Nicholaos
and Irene! Even for water, which we did not have, the living Saint
Raphael indicated the place to me. The atmosphere around is full
of freshness and the mortal human being feels this freshness within
him at this Holy and bloodstained place. With His wonderful Holy
life, He did not only achieve, His own sanctification, but He is
helping all of humanity. With His voice of love, he brings the message
of liberation and of everlasting dew to the souls which are burning
today in the scorched side of life. His mercy scatters everywhere
the divine nectar and it leads thousands of souls to the starting
point, which makes them take the pathway and ascend up to Karyes
and find their deliverance. Saint Raphael's offering to the fatiguel
humanity is unimaginably great. He liberates humans from the dreadful
agony, he takes away dangerous ways of living, gives strength, he
supports paralyzed knees, he lights up an inextinguishable divine
flame, and faith is blooming in the hearts, it grows enormously
and inspires divine visions. The luminous figure of the miraculous
Saint Raphael, has shone in the whole world. He is leading a multitude
of people to an ascending course, he brings the awakening trumpet
call and lights up divine zeal. He protects from the reefs and shoals,
from shipwrecks, and with His divine intervention, he brings spiritual
regeneration to all nations.
The extraordinary signs at the place of Karyes, these awesome
miracles are granting strength to the faithful, inspire enthusiasm
and dispel the darkness. They fill hearts with hope, with divine
happiness, and with fortitude and patience they continue their
difficult road here on earth. The God sent Saint is magnetizing
every person who approaches Him with faith and the faithful find
inconceivable beauty in His unattainable grandeur. The miraculous
and great hero of love with his powerful radiance, has conquered the
hearts of all; his living presence is so close to the human pain. It
has made the Holy place of Karyes a spiritual lighthouse, a spring
of divine grace, and it has become a magnetic anchorage, where the
tired wayfarers of life obtain strength, courage, their faith is
made firm, they find healing, their rebirth and their deliverance.
His divine splendour opens new horizons, opens eternal doors,
generates convictions and with the brilliance and supremacy of his
ineffable mercy, he guides mortals to eternity, and he. spreads
everywhere smiles from his radiant countenance.
It was in God's plans for the coming of the God-bearing Saint
Raphael in our times which the journey of human beings has become so
difficult. His Holy figure appeared in order to direct those who
have strayed in the darkness, to bright roads, to give his hand to
those whose knees have bent, to save the shipwrecked who are
drowning in the seas, to revive hopes, to reanimate extinguished
dreams, to cure endurable illnesses, to show to each one that they
possess an eternal soul. But there is no need for one to describe
His miraculous power, because the voices of those who have been
benefited by His strong and affectionate hand are infinite.
Countless are those who confess that he converted their sorrow to
joy. He has healed innumerable individuals, that which science was
unable to assist; to so many, time and again, His presence
engendered holy thoughts and divine reflections. To our generation
the coming of the Saint reveals the fathomless depth of Divine love.
The walk of life becomes easier when one does not deny His
protection; the pain and the suffering retreats, and the mortal
being is directing his steps to his true destiny. How many thrills
the hearts feel at the hearing of His name! The wayfarers of life
stand with amazement and admiration -before His eminence, His
miracles, His supreme grandeur. The radiance of the all-alive Saint
Raphael bathes and illuminates the faithful, it fills them with awe
and dazzle and with this heavenly message, renews strengths and
shows the revelation of the Divine will. Who can doubt, after all
these pieces of evidence, the immortality of the soul and who can
have any hesitations? The voices are many, there are endless swarms
of those, who: have experienced the mercy of the living Saint of
Love, and they are not in one place, they are everywhere.
In the dizziness of our civilization, and the various
philosophical currents, an intense spiritual thirst is appearing in
the contemporary man. The crisis of our times has brought a lot of
confusion and in the heart of the human being there exists so much
anxiety. But the infinite love of God, has sent us the illuminated
Saint, to lead the course of mortals to a good end. "For as many as
are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" (Rom. 8:14).
The Heavens are always inviting us to go nearer; God sends at
different times His Saints to open up the road. Suffice for us to
accept the invitation of His love. No other power can influence, can
attract man so much as LOVE. The Crucified Love of Saint Raphael has
defeated even death...
He loved the Redeemer of the world and he was bathed in His
Light, with which today He is enlightening the universe with His
presence, and he became the consolation of all, he became the
supporter of humanity under trial. Five hundred years have passed
since he suffered martyrdom. But no matter how, many centuries may
pass, he will be amongst people of all nations, the wise interpreter
of the Divine will, which, as expressed in our Lord Jesus Christ, is
the living image of God, and he will be alleviating pain and
suffering, and with His invincible strength, he will be guiding the
souls to the Eternal Light. It is as if I were in the era in which
the Saints were living their monastic life, at this place. All alive
the Saints appear at midday, sometimes at the Church, sometimes at
the wall of the courtyard, and at times at my cell. And particularly
when they wish to give comfort to the tortured, the fatigued, to the
ill in soul and body people, they are present. |
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