 |
| Elder Athanasios Hamakiotis (1891-1967) |
By Metropolitan Nektarios of Argolis
In 1990 a large fire broke out in the area of Rodochori in Attica.
The fiery flame, burning everything, reached the Holy Hesychasterion of Panagia Phaneromeni in Balas.
The nuns had already abandoned it.
But the monastery was unaffected by the flames. The fire circled the monastery, reached the oil tanks and went out.
It reached the wooden window of the Elder's cell and did not touch it. The trees inside the monastery were not disturbed either.
And a little above, the flames respected the Chapel of the "Master" Saint John, as well as the tall trees that adorned the picturesque chapel.
The fiery flame, burning everything, reached the Holy Hesychasterion of Panagia Phaneromeni in Balas.
The nuns had already abandoned it.
But the monastery was unaffected by the flames. The fire circled the monastery, reached the oil tanks and went out.
It reached the wooden window of the Elder's cell and did not touch it. The trees inside the monastery were not disturbed either.
And a little above, the flames respected the Chapel of the "Master" Saint John, as well as the tall trees that adorned the picturesque chapel.
 |
| Hesychasterion of Panagia Phaneromeni |
The next day the then Metropolitan Dorotheos came to the monastery, went straight to the tomb of the Elder, knelt down and said:
"Thank you Elder, for not allowing your monastery to burn down."
"Thank you Elder, for not allowing your monastery to burn down."
Source: From the book Ιερομόναχος Αθανάσιος Χαμακιώτης [Hieromonk Athanasios Hamakiotis] by Archimandrite Nektarios Antonopoulos (current Metropolitan of Argolis). Translation by John Sanidopoulos.