Gerasimus of Kefalonia
Encyclopedia
Saint Gerasimos of Kefalonia (Greek: Άγιος Γεράσιμος) is the patron saint
of the island of Kefalonia
in Greece
.
Gerasimos (1506–1579) came from the aristocratic and wealthy Notaras family. He was ordained a Monk at Mount Athos
, went to Jerusalem for 12 years, spent some time in Crete
and Zakynthos
and in 1555 arrived on Kefalonia. He spent his first 5 years in a cave in the area known as Lassi. He subsequently cultivated the area where the monastery of Saint Gerasimos now exists near Valsamata
. The monastery which he established cared for the poor and became a center for charity.
Saint Gerasimos is believed by natives of Kefalonia to protect them and to also heal them of illness. Many natives of the island name their children after Saint Gerasimos as a tribute to the saint who protects them.
The body of Saint Gerasimos is guarded and protected in a glass casement at the monastery as it has never decomposed
. After his death, his body was buried twice and exhumed intact, thus leading the church to ordain him as a saint. Kefalonians throughout the world still revere and pray to him.
In 1953, immediately after a powerful earthquake on the island of Kefalonia destroyed 90% of the island, there were many sightings of Saint Gerasimos throughout the island who is believed to have comforted and tended to the injured trapped inside homes and buildings.
During the feast of Saint Gerasimos on August 16th
, his body is passed over ill and sick persons for the purpose of healing them. His body is also displayed by the church during liturgy at the monastery on many occasions.
A church named after Saint Gerasimos was established in New York City
by Kefalonians who emigrated to New York in the early 20th century.
Patron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
of the island of Kefalonia
Kefalonia
The island of Cephalonia, also known as Kefalonia, Cephallenia, Cephallonia, Kefallinia, or Kefallonia , is the largest of the Ionian Islands in western Greece, with an area of . It is also a separate regional unit of the Ionian Islands region, and the only municipality of the regional unit...
in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
.
Gerasimos (1506–1579) came from the aristocratic and wealthy Notaras family. He was ordained a Monk at Mount Athos
Mount Athos
Mount Athos is a mountain and peninsula in Macedonia, Greece. A World Heritage Site, it is home to 20 Eastern Orthodox monasteries and forms a self-governed monastic state within the sovereignty of the Hellenic Republic. Spiritually, Mount Athos comes under the direct jurisdiction of the...
, went to Jerusalem for 12 years, spent some time in Crete
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
and Zakynthos
Zakynthos
Zakynthos , also Zante, the other form often used in English and in Italian , is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the third largest of the Ionian Islands. It is also a separate regional unit of the Ionian Islands region, and the only municipality of the regional unit. It covers an area of ...
and in 1555 arrived on Kefalonia. He spent his first 5 years in a cave in the area known as Lassi. He subsequently cultivated the area where the monastery of Saint Gerasimos now exists near Valsamata
Valsamata
Valsamata is a village in the municipal unit of Omala on the island of Kefalonia, Greece. It is located 17 km east of Argostoli and about 38 km W of Poros Valsamata is linked with a road linking with the Travliata-Fragkata Road and the Argostoli-Sami Road . The village sits on a plateau with a...
. The monastery which he established cared for the poor and became a center for charity.
Saint Gerasimos is believed by natives of Kefalonia to protect them and to also heal them of illness. Many natives of the island name their children after Saint Gerasimos as a tribute to the saint who protects them.
The body of Saint Gerasimos is guarded and protected in a glass casement at the monastery as it has never decomposed
Incorruptibility
Incorruptibility is a Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox belief that supernatural intervention allows some human bodies to avoid the normal process of decomposition after death as a sign of their holiness...
. After his death, his body was buried twice and exhumed intact, thus leading the church to ordain him as a saint. Kefalonians throughout the world still revere and pray to him.
In 1953, immediately after a powerful earthquake on the island of Kefalonia destroyed 90% of the island, there were many sightings of Saint Gerasimos throughout the island who is believed to have comforted and tended to the injured trapped inside homes and buildings.
During the feast of Saint Gerasimos on August 16th
August 16 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Aug. 15 - Eastern Orthodox Church calendar - Aug. 17-Fixed commemorations:All fixed commemorations below are observed on August 29 by Old calendarists-Feasts:*Afterfeast of the Dormition...
, his body is passed over ill and sick persons for the purpose of healing them. His body is also displayed by the church during liturgy at the monastery on many occasions.
A church named after Saint Gerasimos was established in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
by Kefalonians who emigrated to New York in the early 20th century.