Today, Wednesday 29 August 2018, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate began the process for the canonization of Elder Amphilochios Makris of Patmos (1889-1970). The case for the canonization was already before the Synodal Special Committee of the Ecumenical Patriarchate during the visit of the Ecumenical Patriarch to Evia in June.
Elder Amphilochios Makris was born in 1889 on the island of Patmos where St. John the Theologian was exiled and wrote the Book of Revelation. He was a great defender of Orthodoxy, having suffered much throughout the years of the Italian Fascist Occupation of the Greek Dodecanese islands, including exile. During those years he set up secret schools and made sure that the Greek language and Orthodox faith continued to be taught to the children of these islands, despite the best attempts of the Fascists to expunge them. For many years he was Abbot of the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian on Patmos. He also founded the women's Monastery of the Annunciation in 1937. He was noted for his many virtues, his love, humility and fatherly concern for his spiritual children. Fr. Amphilochios was a great believer in the strength of monasticism and in Christian missionary work. He himself traveled as a preacher throughout the war years and beyond. In addition, Fr. Amphilochios founded other monasteries throughout the Greek islands, and was responsible for orphanages and various charitable institutions. The Elder reposed in 1970.
Read also: Elder Amphilochios Makris of Patmos