2 Wondrous stories of St. Porphyrios #2

2 Wondrous stories of St. Porphyrios #2

~The death of his mother
Elder Porphyrios’ sick mother had been staying at the Athens Polyclinic for a couple of days. Doctors told him that she was recovering, but the Elder could see by the grace of God that she would not be discharged from the hospital alive.

One day, Anthony, (his brother who had died a year before St. Porphyrios), went to visit their sick mother. He asked the doctors how his mother’s health was, and they replied, “Great! She is leaving the hospital tomorrow, and tonight we are going to prepare a statement of her medical history.”

Anthony, whom Elder Porphyrios loved very much, went home relieved. All of a sudden the phone rang. It was the Elder. He told Anthony to go to the hospital immediately, otherwise their mother would pass away and they would not be able to receive her blessing.
The Elder’s brother said to him that he had just returned from the hospital, and the doctors had informed him that their mother would be home the next day.

But Elder Porphyrios insisted. Indeed, as soon as they arrived at the clinic, their mother barely managed to bless them (give them both her motherly blessings). God called her to His domain, and the Elder’s gift of foresight was confirmed this time as well.

~A miracle of overcoming time

***This is from an homily (in Greek) from Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol, Cyprus:
   • Όταν ο Άγιος Πορφύριος σταμάτησε τον ...  


In 1988, the Abbess of a monastery along with about 45 nuns took a bus trip to visit another monastery. On their way back they went through Athens and wanted to stop by and get the blessing from Geronda (Elder) Porphyrios but it was already sunset and getting late.

The Abbess said to the nuns, “because it is late we will not stay but quickly go get the Elder’s blessing, otherwise we will be late getting back to our monastery.”

From the Elder’s place it would take 4 hours without traffic and with traffic it would take about 5 hours (with the bus). So they were already concerned that they would be going back late to their monastery.

Geronda Porphyrios was happy to see so many nuns and asked them to sit a bit and stay. So out of respect, the nuns stayed as the Elder spoke to them about prayer of the nous and stressed there is no real prayer of the nous, if there is no real humility, which is acquired through obedience. He talked for a while and it was getting late.

The Abbess was getting anxious as she wanted to leave and get back at a decent time. She kept looking at the time and it was getting further late. She spoke to the Elder and he replied, “please wait a bit more.”

But the Abbess said; “we will be late,” but he replied, ‘don’t worry you will make it back on time.”

She was starting to panic and become very anxious but she tried to be patient.

After a while again she kept looking at the time and finally she couldn’t take it anymore and said to him, “I’m sorry Geronda we have to leave now please.” He replied, “ok, ok why are you so anxious? If you really want to leave, ok then, you can go.”

All the nuns then kissed the Elder’s hand to get his blessing and went and boarded onto the bus. However, just before the bus was about to leave, the Abbess was called back by the Elder.

So she went back in, while the nuns waited on the bus. The Abbess again was anxious, but was obedient and asked Geronda Porphyrios what he wanted.

He told her about the Church of Piraeus Radio Station that had live services, hymns etc. and he turned the radio on and let her listen to it. At this point the Abbess was about to go crazy and said to the Elder, “please I have to leave and take back the nuns to the monastery as it will be very late.”

The Elder, who was smiling said to her. “Why are you acting like that? Don’t worry, you will make it back on time!”

The Abbess was looking at the time… 7:30, 7:45… 7:50! She was thinking when will they make it back to the monastery… at 2am?

“Elder, I must leave, they’ll be worried at the monastery” (there were nuns that didn’t go on the trip).

When the clock struck 8 o’clock, he gave her his blessing to leave. But he asked if she may take another girl and on the way drop her off as well. So out of obedience, the Abbess said that she would. So they boarded the bus and the bus finally left.

Going through Athens, there was traffic.
The driver also stopped to fuel the bus.

After about a 5 hour drive, they arrived at their monastery.
They saw the lights on and were perplexed.

All the sisters there, greeted the Abbess and the other nuns with great joy.

The Abbess went into the refectory and said to the sisters: – “Why did you stay up so late, especially after a vigil the night before? Why didn’t you go and rest, how will you ever get up in the morning?”
“We should go to bed this early Mother, what are we chickens?”
“Why? What time is it?” The Abbess asked in surprise.

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