By Kostas Nousis, theologian
The Lord entered "through closed doors". In the April issue of the journal Peiraiki Ekklesia we have the testimony of the close disciple of the new Saint of the Church Porphyrios, Monk Akakios from Kavsokalyva on Mount Athos. Elder Porphyrios, who was bedridden for many years and near death confessed to him with an incomprehensible Grace in humble boldness that he could leave through the wall of his Hut, of Saint George, at 80 points wide [1.1111111111111 inches), and go to whatever distant place he wanted. And he ties this in with the promise of Christ Himself to His disciples throughout time (Jn. 14:12).
Saint Porphyrios explained this clearly: "The body thins and thickens." This is a prelude to our resurrection, when our body will become "spiritual" (1 Cor. 15:40-44). There will be no law of corruption, like now. Yet it also will be nothing else but a body. The Lord showed the holes from the nails and the spear. He ate in front of His disciples. He was not a ghost, an idea or an aerial spirit (Lk. 24:39-43). He had a body. It was He Himself. He was a whole man, perfect, incorruptible, alive in the Spirit.
The Saint of Omonoia came to prove in our days, two thousand years later, that all these things are not fairy tales. It is the ontology of Grace of the one true Orthodox Church. The Kavsokalavitis experienced this together with many other Saints. Specifically when they were transported "from throughout the world" in order to work wonders, save people, and intervene in the difficulties of brethren in Christ (and not only).
With the same Grace of the Resurrection, which he just received in exceeding fullness (as a prelude to the perfection of Pentecost), the Apostle to India confessed the divinity of Christ (Jn. 20:28). He who a few moments earlier was "unbelieving" is stabilized forever on the rock of the faith of the Church: the divine-humanity of Christ (Matt. 16:16-18). It is a faith that moves mountains, and is in fact all-powerful. After the general resurrection we will probably not only be able to do such measly things, but even more (1 Cor. 2:9), according to the explicit words and irrefutable assurance of our Lord Himself, as it was lived experientially by Saint Porphyrios, who was sent as another Christ to our faithless generation.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
