by Bishop Gregory of Mesaoria
Today, on Sunday, July 14, the Church celebrates the memory of the 630 Holy Fathers who formed the 4th Ecumenical Synod in 451 AD. in Chalkidona.
The aforementioned Synod defined the Faith that refers to the two natures, the divine and the human, which were united in the face of the Divine Jesus Christ, without being divided or confused and without being transformed or separated.
Today, we also honor the memory of Apostle Aquila, one of the seventy disciples of the Lord, who became a bishop of Lefkada, and Saint Nicodemus the Hagiorite (from Mount Athos or Athonite).
Saint Nikodemus was born Nicholas Kallivroutsis in Naxos in 1749 AD. from pious and virtuous parents.
He was firstly educated in Naxos. His teacher was Archimandrite Chrysanthos, brother of Saint Cosmas of Aitolia. He then went to the Evangelical School of Smyrna where he studied theology, as well as ancient Greek, Latin, French, and Italian.
In 1775 AD, he went to Mount Athos. Upon being tonsured a monk at the Monastery of Dionysiou, Nicholas’ name was changed to Nikodemus. Fathers, due to his vast knowledge, appointed him a reader and secretary of the Monastery.
Then, he retired to a desert monastic cell for more practice upon his faith and virtues, with humiliation and obedience.
Saint Nikodemus the Athonite surrendered his spirit to the Resurrected Lord in the dawn of July 14, 1809 AD. in Karyes on Mount Athos, at the age of 60.
He was glorified by the Greek Orthodox Church on May 31, 1955. His feast day is 14 July, the day he passed away in his monastic cell on Mount Athos.
Source: Church of Cyprus
