Iakovos Neaskitiotis “Praise Speech to the Saints of Vatopedi” (Part 4)

The monk Iakovos Neaskethiotis and the Vatopedi saints

[Previous post: https://www.vatopedi.gr/i-moni/vivliothiki-i-m-vatopediou/istorika-stichia-gia-ti-moni-apo-ton-iakovo-neaskitioti-meros-3o/]

Concluding his laudatory narrative of the Vatopedi saints, "the blasphemies of Mount Athos, the boast of the monks, the glory of the priests, and especially the great and modest and most glorious abandonment of our holy and venerable Monastery"[25], the eulogist expresses the belief that the Vatopedi fathers should boast about their saints for three reasons: first, for their virtuous and God-pleasing conduct, second, for their "recovery" of the Monastery, and third, "for their protection and help"[26]. And this is because the honored and praised saints not only from time to time brought great help to the Monastery, but with their incessant intercessions and supplications they constantly protect the fathers "from all evil and difficult circumstances" and guide them "to the attainment of heavenly bliss."[27], which he hopes everyone will enjoy.

The sources of the eulogy

Regarding the sources that Jacob of Neoscythia had at his disposal for the composition of the Encomium, and in particular those related to the Martyrdom of Abbot Euthymius and the twelve hieromonks and nuns who martyred with him, we refer to what we noted regarding the sources of his Memorandum on the twenty-six Zografite holy martyrs, as, as we have established from the aforementioned texts, no new element is added to the Encomium.

The handwritten tradition

According to our research to date, the Encomium to the Vatopedi saints is only preserved in the codex of St. Panteleimon 731, an autograph of Jacob of Neaskethiot.[28].

pp. 73-92: "A word of praise and a brief narrative to the holy and shining Fathers of ours, in this Holy and Venerable Monastery of Vatopedi."

Arch. “Peoples rejoice when justice is praised…”.

The publications

The Eulogy to the Saints of Vatopedi, as it is delivered in the above codex of the monk Iakovos Neaskitiotos, is unpublished.

[25] Codex Aghios Panteleimonos 731, p. 91.

[26]Ibid.

[27]Ibid.

[28]LAMBROS, Catalogue of the Codices of Mount Athos, vol. 2, p. 421.

Source: Patapios, monk of Kavsokalyvitos, The monk Iakovos of Neaskiti († 1869), Hymns for the Theotokos and the Holy Martyrs, Contribution to the study of Mount Athos monasticism in the 19th century^ο century, pp. 512-523, Publication of the Holy Monastery of Saint Paul, Mount Athos 2014.