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🔸 November 9 - Saint Nektarios the Wonderworker of Aegina 🔸 St Nektarios was born Anastasios in 1846 in Thrace to poor parents. Having studied in Constantinople in his youth, he became a monk on the island of Chios in 1876, and took the name Nektarios upon being ordained a deacon in 1877. After completing his theological studies, he went to Alexandria where he was ordained a priest in 1886. Having shown great zeal preaching the Word of God, he was made Metropolitan of the Pentapolis in Libya in 1889. Envious of his popularity and swift ascent through the ranks of ecclesiastical office, certain clerics began spreading false rumors to Patriarch Sophronios that Nektarios wanted to take his position. Troubled by this, Sophronios ordered him to leave Egypt in 1890. Without defending himself, Nektarios left for Athens. Since his name had been soiled, he was unable to find a position as a bishop. In 1894, he was appointed director of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School in Athens. While in this position, he wrote his famous hymn Agni Parthene (“O Virgin Pure”). Through his eloquent sermons, his dedication to educating aspiring priests, his generosity despite his own poverty, his great meekness and fatherly love, he became a shining light and a spiritual guide to many. The exceedingly humble St Nektarios is well known for having personally performed the most lowly tasks, including sweeping floors and cleaning toilets. In 1904, at the request of pious nuns, he began building a convent dedicated to the Holy Trinity on the island of Aegina (today the Monastery of St Nektarios). He remained here from 1908 until the end of his earthly life. Through his prayers, he delivered the island from drought, healed the sick, and cast out demons from souls. He also patiently endured every wicked slander, forgiving his accusers and not seeking to avenge himself. St Nektarios reposed in 1920 at the Aretaeion Hospital in Athens from prostate cancer. After his repose, his undershirt was placed by nurses on a paralyzed man’s bed, and the man was instantly healed. His funeral was conducted by his closest friend St Savvas of Kalymnos who painted the first icon of him.