by f. Elias Makos
His memory was celebrated during this period, but the believers know little about the altiloquent theologian, saint Diadohos, who was sepherding in the midst of the 450s in the Diocese of Fotiki (near today’s Paramythia of Thesprotia).
Regarding the ignorance about his life, he is “forgotten” by the people, but never ceases to be the mirror, where God is reflected and revealed to the world. His speech is timelier than ever, since it urges us to show courage to grief.
In the most tragic circumstances, when the sky is getting dark, no star can be seen anywhere and the waves are threatening to sink us, then there is God’s “but” that makes the “sun” shine “at midnight”.
In his writings, but mostly in his life, he testified that he did not experienced Christ skin deep. That is why he left spiritual heritage.
He wrote many books, but only three were saved: “The Vision” (a dialogue in a dream with John the Forerunner), where the issues of the essence of God are mentioned. “Reason in Ascension”, where the evidence of the union of the two natures of Christ is emphasized (monophysitism is fought).
“One hundred cognitive chapters”, describing the way of monastic perfection. This was the way which, through faith, patience, hope, not loving money, consciousness, humility, absence of wrath, purity and love, led him to holiness and allowed him to move beyond createdness and timeliness.
His particular characteristics were his asceticism and his own loyalty. He felt internally the struggle between good and evil, he was meditating intensely, but constantly the following thought sounded within him: If one does not have the spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.