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. His ancestry is traced back through the Venetian conquerors in a family tree whose roots lay in part in Italy and in part in 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 had also mastered several languages.
With the encouragement of the entire island's population, he set a course of service to Jesus Christ that would bring him sainthood.
After the death of his parents, Dionysios entered the Monastery of Strophades, where he was, in due course, tonsured a monk named Daniel. By the time he was ordained priest in 1577, he was already a seasoned campaigner for Christ and was highly respected for his piety, wisdom, and beneficence. He had long since given his worldly goods to the poor and earned a reputation for kindness and charity, which he 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 in Piracus to book a passage to Palestine but never completed his journey.
Greeted warmly by church dignitaries, Archbishop Nikanor of Athens prevailed upon him to assume the episcopacy of the island of Aegina. The Ecumenical Patriarch heartily approved this appointment.
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, pilgrims from all around sought out him, seeking his blessing and benediction, which 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, 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 when it started to rain very heavily. But neither he nor 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, helped up his arms, and the water separated so they could cross safely.
Dionysios seemed to have the favour of the Lord and occasionally emerged from the seclusion of his monastic retreat 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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