Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos writes the following regarding the acquaintance of Saint Kallinikos of Edessa with Elder Epiphanios Theodoropoulos:
My acquaintance with the late Fr. Epiphanios was made through my Elder the Metropolitan of Edessa, Pella and Almopia, Kallinikos.
They had been acquainted even while they were laymen, and were associated with an undisturbed personal friendship that was expressed in a variety of ways.
They talked on the phone every day and exchanged many thoughts on current ecclesiastical and social issues.
As soon as I entered the Office of Metropolitan Kallinikos, I immediately understood that he was talking to Fr. Epiphanios, from the tone of his voice, and from the joy that was painted on his face.
This communication continued during my Elder's illness, until his repose, but also after it.
It is one of the great benefactions and blessings of God, that I was found worthy to know the late Fr. Epiphanios, and his memory remains in my heart, in an important and special part of it.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
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The following was spoken by George Poulos, the nephew of Saint Kallinikos, during a radio interview, in which he referred to a time when Sts. Kallinikos and Paisios met:
As Bishop of Edessa, my uncle according to the flesh would go to the Holy Mountain. At the Monastery of Stavronikita, where Fr, Vasilios Gontikakis was Abbot, he ordained as Deacon the disciple and spiritual child of Saint Paisios, who today is the Abbot of Saint Hilarion in Aridaía. After the ordination Saint Paisios and Saint Kallinikos met, and as the monks testify, they saw two luminous figures talking who were full of Divine Grace. "I've never met such a Bishop, humble and unique," said Saint Paisios to his disciple the newly-ordained Paisios.
Saint Kallinikos lived as a monk, he had an ascetic mindset and great restraint in his senses. He always told us to be humble and simple in our lives. At the funeral service of my father, the brother of Saint Kallinikos, Father John, he was present and supportive for both us his nephews and nieces as well as for our mother, with words of comfort and love. He was a Bishop with humility and kindness, while he always taught us with his eyes.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
