St Kallinikos

St Kallinikos Metropolitan of Edessa, Pella and Almopia By Metropolitan of Nafpaktos Hierotheos The last fifty years has produced so many amazing saints such as St Paisios, St Porphyrios, St Sophia of Kleisoura... and St Kallinikos of Edessa, Pella and Almopia, a holy Archbishop and Saint of God! In his will, St Kallinikos said his greatest gifts were to be born to Orthodox parents, and to be baptised a Christian. He was born in Agrinio in 1919, the fourth of eight children, and the grandchild of the village priest, Papa-Thanassi. He performed well in his studies as a child and at university, and the professors noticed him. One in particular wanted him to study overseas and become a great academic. But another famous professor of the day, Professor Trembelas, said: “Leave the wildflower alone. He would wither abroad.” Bishop Hierotheos, the author of this book, said that for his whole life he remained a wildflower - that is, an innocent village boy, with a pure desire to serve the Church. The story of the wildflower Kallinikos is a truly awe- inspiring tale of a young Christian man whose pure love for God guided him, like a star guides a sailor through many difficult periods of his life. This thoughtful and moving book covers his journey from village-boy, to soldier, to theologian, to secretary, to lay-preacher, founding a radio station, organising religious activities for prisons, teaching Sunday Schools and catechism classes... then as a priest, as a bishop, as an Archbishop... and finally, as a very sick patient in hospital where he ended his days. He was just one man. Yet he proved himself a vessel of the Holy Spirit and an ardent servant of the Church. ORTHODOX MISSION BOOKSTORE 217 Bexley Rd, Kingsgrove, Sydney NSW 2208 (02) 9787 9779

He always worked beyond his strength, because he loved God and people so much! In his ordination speech as Bishop of Edessa and Pella, he asked the people to “Pray for me that I may burn like a candle for the glory of Jesus Christ crucified...” He would repeat this phrase for the rest of his life. Yet this book is far from a historical recount of dates, times and places. The personality of St Kallinikos is the true treasure within the pages. It was written by his disciple Bishop Hierotheos, who as a young deacon, followed him everywhere and spent every waking moment together with him. He was even by his side nursing him during the final months of his life in hospital. We must use the old cliche: this book is a must-read! Why? We are blessed to have a portion of St Kallinikos’ relics in Sydney, Australia, at the Church of All Saints in Belmore. Therefore since St Kallinikos has “visited” us, we should all do him the honour of reading his life. And what an amazing life! No one will finish this book without being deeply moved by the life of this Saint who lived in our day and age, and who was a living, breathing, working, holy man of God. Browse more books in store Monday – Saturday 10am – 2pm Or on our website: orthodoxbookstore.org.au