Saint Nektarios

Saint Nektarios of Aegina was born Anastasios Kephalas on October 1st in 1846 in Thrace, now in Turkey. Upon the completion of his studies in his hometown and being too poor to study abroad, he decided to dedicate his life to the lord.

He is next known to be in Constantinople, known today as Istanbul, where he looked tirelessly for work. Unable to find work, he wonders around the city barefoot and in rags for clothes. With all his trials and tribulations, he decides to write a letter to the lord, asking for help. He later goes to the island of Chios, where he becomes a teacher of theology, where he earned great respect from the islanders for his tireless work for his church and community.

It is in Chios, that he becomes an ordained deacon and then given the name, Nectarios. Later, he travels to Alexandria, Egypt, to finish his studies. It is after this he is appointed Secretary to the Patriarch.

However, in his later years, his love for people and his desire to help all people goes on to work against him and reputation. Because of his spotless life and his immense kindness, he stands out against the other deacons. Garnering jealousy from these other deacons, he humbly endures slander as his colleagues write slanderous letters about him to the archdiocese in Greece. He is then wrongly relieved of his position.

In his later years, he longs for quiet and a place to pray. He ends up on the Greek island of Aegina. He then builds a church and a small monastery for the nuns. He prays with his spiritual sisters.

Saint Nektarios lived the life of an angel, misunderstood in his time, he died frail and in constant pain. He finally dies of his illness where his body emanates a strong odor of beautiful flowers. This hospital room is now a museum that pilgrims visit from all over the world.