Amphilochius of Patmos
Amphilochios Makris was a Greek Orthodox hieromonk, missionary, and teacher from Patmos, Greece, greatly revered for his wisdom and experience as an elder. He is remembered for his unwavering dedication to preserving Orthodox faith and Greek identity against Italian occupation, and for his profound love and acceptance of all people. Canonized in 2018, his feast day is celebrated on April 16th.
Key Facts
- ›Born Athanasios Makris in 1889 on the island of Patmos, Greece.
- ›Became a novice at the Monastery of St. John the Theologian at seventeen, taking the name Amphilochios.
- ›Served as a confessor throughout the Italian-occupied Dodecanese islands.
- ›Exiled to Athens in 1937 for teaching Greek under the guise of a knitting workshop.
- ›Established an orphanage and several charitable institutions on Patmos after returning in 1939.
- ›Canonized on August 29, 2018, by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Athanasios Makris
About Amphilochius of Patmos
Amphilochios of Patmos
Amphilochios Makris, born Athanasios Makris in 1889 on the island of Patmos, Greece, was a significant figure in the Greek Orthodox Church. He served as a hieromonk, missionary, and teacher, and was widely respected for his wisdom and spiritual guidance as a starets, or elder. His life was marked by a deep commitment to preserving the Orthodox faith and Greek identity, particularly during periods of foreign occupation.
Life and Ministry
Born into a devout family on Patmos, the same island traditionally associated with John of Patmos and the Book of Revelation, Athanasios Makris entered the Monastery of St. John the Theologian at the age of seventeen, receiving the monastic name Amphilochios. He was ordained a deacon and then a priest, serving as a confessor throughout the Dodecanese islands, which were then under Italian occupation. He famously espoused a philosophy of universal love, stating, “I was born to love people. It doesn't concern me if he is a Turk, black, or white. I see in the face of each person the image of God. And for this image of God I am willing to sacrifice everything.”
In 1935, Amphilochios became the abbot of the Monastery of Saint John. He established a knitting workshop as a cover for teaching Greek to children, a move that led to his exile to Athens in 1937 when the Italian authorities discovered his activities. He spent two years traveling mainland Greece before settling in Crete, where he became a spiritual father. He was permitted to return to Patmos in 1939, where he spent the remainder of his life aiding the nuns of the monastery and founding an orphanage and various charitable institutions.
Veneration
Amphilochios Makris reposed in 1970, with witnesses noting a remarkable peace and beauty about his countenance at the time of his death. He was canonized on August 29, 2018, by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and his liturgical feast day is observed on April 16th. He is venerated for his spiritual leadership, his efforts in preserving cultural and religious identity, and his profound example of Christian love and charity.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Amphilochios Makris born?
Amphilochios Makris was born Athanasios Makris in 1889 on the island of Patmos, Greece.
What was his role in the Greek Orthodox Church?
He was a hieromonk, missionary, and teacher who served as a confessor and later as an abbot. He was greatly revered as a starets (elder).
Why was Amphilochios exiled?
He was exiled by Italian occupying forces in 1937 because he established a knitting workshop where children were secretly taught Greek, an act seen as resisting Italian expansionism.
What charitable works is he known for?
After returning to Patmos, he established an orphanage and several other charitable institutions, demonstrating his commitment to helping the needy.
When was he canonized and what is his feast day?
He was canonized on August 29, 2018, by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and his feast day is celebrated annually on April 16th.
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