By Metropolitan Joel of Edessa
On this day [January 22] we commemorate our Venerable Father Bessarion the New, the merciful and discerning, who lived in asceticism and completed his life at the Monastery of Agathonos in Phthia, where his holy relic was uncovered from the grave, and was found to be incorrupt.
Verses
Sacrificer of the Master Christ Bessarion,
Cover those who sing your hymns in their prayers.
On this day [January 22] we commemorate our Venerable Father Bessarion the New, the merciful and discerning, who lived in asceticism and completed his life at the Monastery of Agathonos in Phthia, where his holy relic was uncovered from the grave, and was found to be incorrupt.
Verses
Sacrificer of the Master Christ Bessarion,
Cover those who sing your hymns in their prayers.
This new Venerable of our Church was from Petalidi of Messinia. He was born on the 20th of the month of November in the year 1905 to pious parents, Demosthenes and Vineta. He was fortunate in his customary years of education and learning to sit at the feet of the well-known ascetic Elias Panagoulakis, and to listen to the sermons of other Fathers, such as the Hieromonks Polykarpos Andronos, Joel Yiannakopoulos and the missionary Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos. When he came to a mature age, he departed for the Monastery of the Panagia of Dimiova. After a three year trial he was tonsured a monk. In 1931 he was ordained a deacon by Metropolitan Meletios of Messenia and in 1933 a presbyter by Andrew of Triphylia, a deputy of the Metropolis of Messenia. Later he was made a spiritual father.
Through his intercessions, Christ God, save our souls. Amen.
Apolytikion in Plagal of the First Tone
The chorus of the Fathers, the Monastery of Agathonos, sacrificer beloved of God, and luminous man from Fthia, the joy of the needy, and most exact guide of sinners, presbyter of Christ, and model of piety, let us all from our hearts sing hymns to Bessarion.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Your divine memory, is celebrated by the Monastery of Agathonos, as well as the famous Phthia, who narrate your life, O Bessarion, and your miracles.
Oikos
Purified of the various passions, and made ready for the garment of the priesthood, in these latter years, at the Monastery of Agathonos, you rose like the sun, shining to the utmost ends. You strengthened with help from above, the name of Christ and His commandments, preaching everywhere as an excellent teacher, drawing into the net of the Church many who were living in sin. Wherefore as a saint you were glorified, both in life and after death, O Bessarion, with monastics and those in the world, narrating and singing hymns, to your grace and various mercies.
Megalynarion
Rejoice spiritually all of Phthia, for you have in your midst, the revered Bessarion, rejoice also his enclosure, the Monastery of Agathonos, which divinely nurtured, the new saint.
The chorus of the Fathers, the Monastery of Agathonos, sacrificer beloved of God, and luminous man from Fthia, the joy of the needy, and most exact guide of sinners, presbyter of Christ, and model of piety, let us all from our hearts sing hymns to Bessarion.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Your divine memory, is celebrated by the Monastery of Agathonos, as well as the famous Phthia, who narrate your life, O Bessarion, and your miracles.
Oikos
Purified of the various passions, and made ready for the garment of the priesthood, in these latter years, at the Monastery of Agathonos, you rose like the sun, shining to the utmost ends. You strengthened with help from above, the name of Christ and His commandments, preaching everywhere as an excellent teacher, drawing into the net of the Church many who were living in sin. Wherefore as a saint you were glorified, both in life and after death, O Bessarion, with monastics and those in the world, narrating and singing hymns, to your grace and various mercies.
Megalynarion
Rejoice spiritually all of Phthia, for you have in your midst, the revered Bessarion, rejoice also his enclosure, the Monastery of Agathonos, which divinely nurtured, the new saint.