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| Elder Gabriel of Venerable David Monastery |
Immediately following the decision of the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to canonize Elder Iakovos Tsalikes, the Abbot of the Monastery of the Venerable David in Evia, Elder Gregory, was immediately notified of the good news.
Obviously he was excited about the decision, saying: "The revered Patriarchate officially recognized the sanctity of Father Iakovos, which has also existed in the conscience of the faithful."
Abbot Gabriel added: "We have always associated the person of the Patriarch with the person of Father Iakovos, because he had mentioned his election."
The Abbot was speaking to Romfea.gr, of the time when the Ecumenical Patriarch as Metropolitan of Philadelphia had visited the Holy Monastery of the Venerable David in 1989, and Father Iakovos had told him: "Be prepared, for you will become the next Ecumenical Patriarch."
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| Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Halkidos |
It should be noted that the one who submitted the name of Elder Iakovos Tsalikes to be officially recognized as a Saint of the Church to the Ecumenical Patriarchate was Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Halkidos, Istiaias and Northern Sporades. On Tuesday 28 November 2017 His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos will celebrate the Doxological Divine Liturgy at the Monastery of the Venerable David, to give thanks to God for the canonization of Saint Iakovos. Then on Friday December 1st a vigil will take place at the Church of Saint Paraskevi in Halkidos, which was originally to honor Saint Porphyrios Kavsokalyvites, but now a Service will also be chanted in honor of Saint Iakovos.