Tuesday, May 11, 2021, marked 17 years since the blessed repose of Hieroschemamonk Dionisie Ignat, abbot of the Cell of Saint George at Colciu Skete, Mount Athos.
The disciples prayerfully remembered the Athonite Elder of Romanian origin at his tomb at Colciu Skete.
Hieromonk Dionisie, the current abbot of the skete, officiated the memorial service together with Hieromonk Ignatie, abbot of St Hypatius Cell, and Hieromonk Timotei, abbot of St. Procopius Cell.
Joining the abbots in prayer were the monks of the three cells, many of them being disciples of Elder Dionisie Ignat.
Appreciated by monks and pilgrims from all over the world, Father Dionisie distinguished himself in the 78 years of monastic life in the Holy Mount Athos as a great hermit and spiritual father of many Athonite abbots, hieromonks, hermits, monks, and pilgrims.
He was recognized as a skilled laborer of the Jesus prayer. Elder Joseph of Vatopedi, the disciple of St. Joseph the Hesychast, used to confess to him. Father Dionisie also had close spiritual ties with Saint Paisios of Mount Athos, Hieroschemamonk Ioan Guțu, and Archimandrite Petroniu Tănase, the abbot of Prodromos Skete.
Among those who received advice from Father Dionisie Ignat is the heir to the British crown, Prince Charles, who attended the Elder’s funeral.
“Father Dionisie offered rest to both the pious and the ungodly. His word was always full of grace. I will not forget when, recently, a group of pilgrims came here, including a very harsh and selfish man. But only when he approached Father Dionisie and he said a few words to him, immediately his heart softened, and he began to cry for the first time in his life!”
“And as we know from patristic theology when a man is indeed full of grace, the word that springs from his mouth is clothed with the grace of God. This grace of the springing word creates in the one who listens a disposition to receive the word.”
– Archimandrite Ephraim, abbot of Vatopedi Monastery, in his speech at the funeral of Father Dionisie Ignat
Source: basilica.ro
