Antiochian testimonies. Father “Amphilochios Makris”.

Saint Amphilochios Makris.

 From the prologue of the Arabic version of the book “Our Geronda: The Life and Miracles of the Late Elder of Patmos, Amphilochios Makris”, (2001)

*Metropolitan Georges Khodr.

I would like to quote father “Amphilokhios” in the following 4 phrases: “Every Holy Liturgy is new”, "I am the son of the Church and I cannot give myself a break”, “whenever you see a spiritually exhausted person, don’t overburden him”, “Ask God’s forgiveness for I have given you nothing”.

Metropolitan Georges Khodr.

I had the chance to know the man. I met him in Patmos where Saint John saw his “revelation”. The light in his face was exactly the one described in this book, and this light was much more expressive than the words we exchanged. After all, words were not my aim. I wanted to go on pilgrimage to the place where the “Revelation” was given to Saint John. That great monk came across as one of those who lived for “the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus”. One of those who didn’t leave their first love, or one of the 24 elders who where kneeling “before the One seated on the throne”. A meek and humble monk, whose raso’s tail touched the floor’s dust and was made for him in the shape of a Cross. He considered himself as nothing, but considered greatly  contemplating in the face of  “the lamb slain from the foundation of the world”.

A monk who was puzzled when the spiritual authority decided to ordain him to priesthood, and realized after celebrating the Holy Eucharist hundreds of times, that “every Holy Liturgy is new”, because the “living bread which descends from Heaven”, once eaten, renews you every time, because every Holy Liturgy is the “wedding of the slaughtered lamb”, and the wedding is ever new for those who remain loyal.

This urges you to see yourself as nothing. Only God sees something in you, and He doesn’t tell you this during your lifetime because they are “inexpressible words”.

For the one who was caught up in the chariot of love as a new Elijah, how can he give himself a break?!. He used to work restlessly because his rest was in the serenity of God, and everyone in his entourage inherited this serenity. Thus, who works as such, unites in his ministry, contemplation and practice, monasticism and priesthood.

“Amphilochios” went out of the monastery into this world but preserved his transparency. And since Christ was imprinted in his eyes, he saw only Christ in whoever asked for his advice or consolation. In silence, he founded and established all the monasteries he built, and the social activities he made, based on the Gospel, where Christ dwells.

In his own perspective as well as in the Orthodox tradition, it was not strange for a simple disarmed monk to face the tyrants who occupied his country. He loved his compatriots and struggled to have them win back their freedom. However, father “Amphilochios” was well aware that the real freedom is the freedom of the man’s heart from his passions. Therefore, he called for it, through his spiritual fatherhood and humble living, distilling it in those who listened to him, and those who were on a pilgrimage towards God.

Holiness is in the details, in the finest aspects of our relation with others, and this is clearly shown in this book. There are reported miracles; In fact, the greatest miracle behind them was this man. He surpassed the contrast between the solitude in the monastery and being in the world outside. When man’s soul is freed from the creation, he acquires the real solitude, and consequently faces no problems, wandering freely in this world, free to serve it, leaving the mark of Christ which was sealed in his soul.

* The late Mother Antonina abbess of the monastery of the Dormition

of our Lady in Kaftoun, Lebanon.

Mother Antonina.

I knew Father “Amphilochios” as an open person, simple, pious, and very joyous. He was a man of love, with a big smile. He reminded me of Saint “Seraphim of Sarov”, who always welcomed people calling them “my joy”. Likewise, father “Amphilochios” used to welcome people who came to him from all over the world, and he used to welcome them with openness, without any discrimination.

He hosted us for 4 months, and every day I felt as if it was the first, due to his overwhelming joy and hospitality..!!..