Saint Nectarios of Pentapolis' life and works: a historical - critical study

Abstract

The present study sketches the life, the thought and the work of Saint Nectarios of Pentapolis. It is divided into six chapters. The first comprises the Saint's childhood years in Selybria, the continuation of his high-school studies in Constantinople, his journey to Chios where he served as a primary school teacher, was tonsured as a monk and ordained to the Diaconate, as well as his study at the Theological School in Athens. The second chapter refers to the entrance of Saint Nectarios as deacon to the Patriarchate of Alexandria, his ordination as a presbyter and Metropolitan of Pentapolis, and his five-year fruitful contribution to the Greek Orthodox Community of Cairo, closing with his expulsion from Egypt and his returning to Greece. The third chapter includes the trials which Saint Nectarios underwent during the first period of his stay in Athens, his appointment as the Itinerant Sacred Preacher in the Province of Euboia, his activities there, as well as his transfer into the same position in the Province of Phthiotis-Phokis and his wanderings in this Province. The fourth chapter deals with the appointment of Saint Nectarios as the Dean of Rizareios Ecclesiastical Seminary, his pedagogical work, the rich extra-curricular activity and his resignation from his Seminary duties. The fifth chapter gives reasons for Saint Nectarios' claims for re-establishment of the Monastery of Zoodochos Pege in Aegina, his personal work in erecting the monastery, his benevolent deeds towards the islanders of Aegina, his last trials and concluding with his illness and dormition. The sixth chapter includes the period from Saint Nectarios dormition to the recognition of his sanctity by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. It starts with the presentation of the Saint's will, the translations of his relics, his canonization and the feast and celebration which took place for its cause. At the end of each chapter there is a brief presentation of the theological treatises which the Saint wrote, and the correspondence which he maintained during each one period of his life and ministry. In addition, I present an extensive anthology from them on diverse topics in my bibliography, in chronological order. The list of his writings is the most complete and systematic presently available. There are, finally, two appendices to the present thesis consisting of a) seven previously unpublished interviews with eyewitnesses who met and spoke with Saint Nectarios, which refer to his whole life, and reveal unknown aspects of his life, personality and activities, and b) a catalogue of churches and benevolent foundations dedicated to the memory of Saint Nectarios throughout the world.