Venerable Hilarion the New (+754)

The Venerable Hilarion the New (+754) served the Lord from his youth and lived for many years in seclusion. For his purity and holiness he was ordained first presbyter and then abbot of the monastery of Pelecete (near the Dardanelles strait). The Venerable Hilarion was granted by the Lord the gifts of foresight and wonderworking. Through his prayer rain came in time of drought, cattle kept away from the crops, and the fishermen’s nets filled with fish. Besides this, he healed the sick and cast out evil spirits.

On Great Thursday in 754 the iconoclast Lachanodrakon attacked the monastery of Pelecete; he burst into the church during the Liturgy, broke off the service, threw the Holy Gifts on the ground, seized 42 monks, sent them to Ephesus and had them drowned. The remaining monks were cruelly beaten and their beards were singed with fire, and some were maimed by having their noses and ears cut off. During this attack the Venerable Hilarion met a martyr’s end for the veneration of icons.

The Venerable Hilarion left us writings that consist mainly of moral instruction.