20.07.2026
VATOPEDI MONASTERY VIDEO LIBRARY
Elder Ephraim of Vatopedi on Saint Nicodemus of Mount Athos
The memory of our Holy Father Nicodemus of Mount Athos was solemnly honored on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at the Holy Monastery of the Great Archangels of Pelion. The Eucharistic Synaxation was presided over by the Abbot of the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi and spiritual director of the Monastery, Elder Ephraim, while a choir of brothers of the Holy Monastery sang at the sacred lecterns. On this day, the Abbess, Gerontissa Nicodemus, led her name day, an event that brought together a large number of believers in the Monastery who came to wish her well.
Elder Ephraim, starting his speech, referred to the charismatic personality of Saint Nicodemus of Mount Athos, emphasizing that “he was not just a Saint, but a great figure in the Church”, referring to his ascetic character. Then, addressing the Abbess, he focused on the choice of the name Nicodemus, pointing out that the previous spiritual father of the brotherhood, Blessed Fr. Anthony, wanted this monastery to have a spiritual connection with Mount Athos. In his speech, the Abbess did not fail to mention the contribution of Saint Nicodemus to the writing of the Philokalia and particularly insisted on the significance of this name, which reveals that he who is a friend of beauty is characterized by his love for the supreme beauty that is Christ himself. Towards the end of his speech, Elder Ephraim wished the name-giving elder, Elder Nicodemus, that the Saint would help her to experience the Athonite tradition, which is not something local, limited to the Athonite State. After the Divine Liturgy, a monastic feast was served, during which Elder Ephraim of Vatopedi addressed a spiritually edifying speech to the sisters and the pilgrims, on the occasion of the feast of Saint Nicodemus.