Venerable Dionysius (XVI)

The Venerable Dionysius’s (XVI) election by God was revealed while he was still an infant by a heavenly sign: a cross shone above his cradle. From childhood the future saint loved reading divine books and prayer, and after his parents’ death he went to Mount Athos and was tonsured a monk. Distinguished by strict ascetic labour, the monk was soon made deacon, and then ordained priest as well. Many monks came to the venerable father to hear his counsel, and he instructed everyone tirelessly. When the hegumen of the monastery of Philotheou died, at the brothers’ request Dionysius took on the office of superior; but there were also some who did not like this choice, and strife and enmity broke out among the monks. The holy father set peace and mutual love above everything, and so he voluntarily resigned as hegumen and went first to Veria, and then to Mount Olympus. Here he founded a monastery dedicated to the Prophet Elijah, and composed its rule himself. For his God-pleasing labours the Venerable Dionysius was granted the gift of wonderworking. He died in deep old age and was buried on Olympus, in his own monastery.