On December 17, the Greek Orthodox Church commemorates Agios Dionysios, the Patron Saint of Zakynthos and Saint of forgiveness.
Agios Dionysios was born on the Greek island of Zakynthos in 1546 but his ancestry is traced back through the Venetian conquerors in a family tree whose roots lay in part in Italy and in part Normandy. Born into the ruling class at a time when Venice was a dominant force in the area, Dionysios is said to have been baptised into the Christian faith with the name Draganinos by no less a godfather than Gerasimos of Kephalonia, who was himself destined to become a venerated saint of the Church.
Dionysios came of the royal household of the Venetians through his mother, but he led no one to believe – from childhood through maturity – that he was anything but a child of God. He formed lasting friendships with his fellow islanders from all walks of life.
He refused to take advantage of his social position other than to avail himself of a full education which brought out the power of his extraordinary intellect. By the time he was twenty-one, he had not only established himself as a deep thinker and profound theological scholar but has also mastered several languages.
With the encouragement of the entire population of the island, he set a course of service to Jesus Christ which was to bring him sainthood.
With the death of his parents, Dionysios entered the Monastery of Strophades, where he was in due course tonsured a monk with the name of Daniel. By the time that he was ordained priest in 1577, he was already a seasoned campaigner for Christ and was highly respected not only for his piety but also for his wisdom and beneficence. He had long since given his entire worldly goods to the poor and had earned a reputation for kindness and charity which had carried to the mainland among the clergy and laity alike.
On a mission to the Holy Land where Dionysios anticipated the exhilaration of walking where Jesus had trod, he stopped over in Piracus to book passage to Palestine but never completed his journey.
Greeted warmly by church dignitaries, he was prevailed upon by Archbishop Nikanor of Athens to assume the episcopacy of the island of Aegina, an appointment that was heartily approved by the Ecumenical Patriarch.
In 1572 he assumed the post and with it the name of Dionysios. The saintliness of this prelate had been evidenced in many ways throughout his service to the Messiah, but as Archbishop it took on greater proportions. As a result, he was sought out by pilgrims from all around seeking his blessing and benediction that seemed to produce true miracles. While he found these manifestations gratifying, he was overwhelmed by his immense popularity, and after many souls, searching asked for and was given permission to return to the comparative tranquility of his native island.
Agios Dionysios is remembered for many miracles, but primarily as the Saint of forgiveness.
He was once out with fishermen and they were not catching anything. At first, they blamed Dionysios (Dennis) and his companion for jinxing the trip. Like Jesus, he then said ‘cast your nets over there’. At first, they were skeptical, because they never caught anything in that area. But they tried then they caught so many fish, far exceeding their EU Quota.
Another time he was travelling through the hills and it started to rain very heavily. But neither he or his companion got wet! The normally dried up streams became full of water, and they reached a point where they could not cross. St Dennis inspired by Moses help up his arms and the water separated so the could cross safely.
Dionysios seemed to have the favour of the Lord and emerged from the seclusion of his monastic retreat from time to time to share this divine spark with his fellow Christians. He died peacefully at the age of seventy-five and reposes in the Church of Dionysios on the island of Zakynthos in the sparkling Ionian Sea.
Not only are the Saint’s relics incorrupt, but he is also one of Greece’s “walking saints” (Agios Gerasimos and Agios Spyridon are the others). He is said to leave his reliquary and walk about performing miracles for those who seek his aid.
In fact, the soles of his slippers wear out and must be replaced with a new pair from time to time. The old slippers are cut up, and the pieces are distributed to pilgrims.
Today is also the Name Day of Dionysios and Dionysia.
Xronia Polla!
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