Agios Gerasimos: the new ascetic of Kefaloniatranslated

Lambros Skontzos, Theologian, writes

Monasticism is one of the two paths that a Christian can choose in his life, that is, married or celibate life. Both of these paths are for our Church equal and blessed, and lead equally to theosis. Monasticism is a dynamic presence in the life of our Church, sanctified by countless multitudes of the faithful, for two thousand years. One of the numerous holy monks is Saint Gerasimos, the New Ascetic, who emerged as one of the most important monastic figures of recent times, in the same family as the great monks of the ancient Church.

He was born in 1506 in Trikala, Corinth. He came from the famous Byzantine family of the Notarades. His parents Dimitrios and Kali gave him an excellent upbringing and piety. His baptismal name was George. When he was 20 years old he went to Zakynthos, which was an important center of letters, even though it was under Venetian occupation. There he acquired a respectable education, but unable to withstand the unbearable pressures of the heretical papists against the Orthodox, he decided to leave the island and go to other more important spiritual...