November 9: Saint Nektarios celebratestranslated

Today the Church honors the memory of Saint Nektarios, bishop of Pentapolis, the miracle worker, the martyrs Onesiphorus and Porphyry, the holy Matronis and Theoktistis, and Simeon the translator. Saint Nektarios was born on October 1, 1846 in Silyvria in Eastern Thrace to theophilic parents. He was originally called Anastasios. He was distinguished for his morals and ecclesiastical attitude. At the age of fourteen he went to Constantinople, where he worked hard for six years, while at the same time studying the sacred letters night and day.

Later he went to Chios and worked as a teacher. He became a monk in 1876 and was then ordained a deacon and named Nektarios. He attended advanced studies at the Theological School of the University of Athens and received a degree in Theology. He then went to Alexandria, to join the clergy of the Second Throne of the Patriarchate. There he was ordained a priest and in 1889 a Bishop. As Bishop of Pentapolis (Libya), he served as assistant Bishop close to Patriarch Sophronius of Alexandria.

During his service as Bishop, he gained a great reputation for his morals and sermons, due to his fervent zeal and love for the…