Elder Hadji-Georgis the Athonite
(1809-1886)
Written by Elder Paisios of Mount Athos
Published by the Holy Convent of the Evangelist John the Theologian, Souroti, Thessaloniki, Greece
180 Pages
Elder Paisios writes: “It does not matter that the Church has not [officially] proclaimed him a Saint, in order to give him a halo. That which has great significance is the radiant life of the Elder, his simple and innocent and silent example. He was full of virtue and Divine powers, which he possessed within himself in order to help his fellow men. He preached Christ, even from afar. He worked wonders, he saw divine visions, and had the gift of clairvoyance. He had much grace from God, which did not abandon him! When the uncovering of his Holy Relics occurred, an unspeakable fragrance permeated from the Relics.”
Gabriel (the future Hadji-Georgis) was born of pious and wealthy parents in Cappadocia, the same area that produced such luminaries as Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa and Gregory the Theologian. As a youth, he listened to stories of the ascetics as told by his aunt, a nun, and his heart was inflamed for this life. At age 18 he was guided by the Theotokos to the Holy Mountain, where he stayed for many years and founded several brotherhoods, until jealous monks slandered him and caused his exile to Constantinople. In exile, he was known for working miracles during his life, and even Turks turned to him for healings.
Excerpts from the text:
“Once, he even foresaw an accident that was going to happen to the Tzar’s family, and he wrote to the Tzar that he should not pass over a certain bridge on a certain day with his family coach. When he read the Elder’s letter, the Tzar smiled and said, ‘The Monk is asking for alms; send him a few rubles.’ Six months later, however, while in the coach with his family, the Tzar passed exactly that point and on that day which the elder had foretold, and the coach overturned, but no one was hurt; they were all saved by a miracle! Then he remembered the prophetic words of Hadji-Georgis and knew that they were saved by his prayers.
From that time on the Tzar held him in great reverence, and would send his high-ranking officials to Hadji-Georgis for his advice.”
“…many devout Russian pilgrims took photographs of hadji-Georgis, and brought them to the sick in Russia, who embraced them with faith, and were healed. The photographs of Hadji-Georgis were to be found in the icon-corners of Russians, together with the icons of Saints. The suffering called upon him in their prayers, and the holy Elder helped them by the Grace of God like the Saints, while he still remained in Kerasia on Athos.”
