Venerable Philotheus of Athos

The Venerable Philotheus of Athos was born in Elatia. For fear of the Turks his parents moved to Macedonia, to Chrysopolis. Soon the saint’s father died. The boy Philotheus and his brother were seized by the Turks and thrown into prison, from which the Mother of God herself miraculously delivered them. The All-holy Virgin appeared to the children in the likeness of their mother and brought them to the monastery of the Dormition of the Mother of God in the city of Neapolis (Asia Minor). There the brothers were tonsured monks.

Years passed. Philotheus’s mother, Eudocia, who had heard nothing of her sons all this time, by the wonderful providence of God came to that same Neapolis and became a nun in a convent. Some time later she came with other sisters to the feast of the church in the very house where her sons were labouring; they recognised one another at once, and the astonished and joyful mother asked her sons how they came to be there. The sons answered: “You know that better than we do; did you not bring us here yourself after we were freed from prison?!” Eudocia was convinced that the Mother of God had not left her fervent prayers unanswered.

After his mother’s death Philotheus went to the Holy Mountain of Athos, where he first joined the brotherhood of the monastery of Dionysiou, and then withdrew into solitude for complete silence. By unceasing labour of prayer the venerable father attained spiritual perfection and gained the grace of insight. At the age of eighty-four the Lord’s chosen one committed his soul to the Lord in peace. Before his death the saint asked his disciples not to bury his body, but to throw it out dishonourably in the forest for the birds and beasts to tear. The brethren carried out their teacher’s blessing, but after the Lord had glorified the holy remains of His chosen one with a wonderful radiance, they were brought with honour into the house.