Istanbul, June 16, 2021
Photo: wordpress.com A formal petition for the glorification of Elder Eumenios (Saridakis) among the saints was submitted to Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople by the Synod of the Church of Crete last week.
Metropolitan Eugenios of Rethymnon and Avlopotamos was in Istanbul on Friday, June 11, to greet the Patriarch on his name’s day on behalf of the Church of Crete—a semi-autonomous Church within the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
While there, he presented the Synod’s request.
“It is the sacred desire of the fullness of the Church of Crete to see the glorification of this man who was completely devoted to the holy Church, a steward of the Mysteries of God, who ministered unto the Lord in the least of his brethren,” Met. Eugenios said, reports the Orthodoxia News Agency.
The relevant decision would be a cause of rejoicing for all Orthodox, the Metropolitan assured Pat. Bartholomew.
Elder Eumenios can truly be said to have served the Lord “in the least of his brethren,” as he dedicated more than 40 years of his life to serving those suffering from the terrible disease of leprosy, having suffered from it himself in his youth.
He served as father confessor to all those in the Athens leprosy hospital, where many testified to his clairvoyance, his miracles, and his communion with the saints.
St. Porphyrios said of him: “You should go and receive the blessing of Elder Eumenios, for he is the hidden saint of our time. A saint like Elder Eumenios comes along only once every two hundred years.”
The Elder reposed on May 23, 1999, and his body was buried in his native Cretan village of Efia.
Read more about Elder Eumenios in the articles, “The Saint from the Leper Colony” and “Confessor for the Leprous.”
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