The Life of Saint Porphyrios Kafsokalyvitis

With the blessings of His Eminence Metropolitan Sotirios, Abbess Theoxeni from the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery of Chrysopigi in Chania, Crete, is visiting our Holy Metropolis.

Abbess Theoxeni, who is accompanied by Sister Theolekti, visited a number of parish communities across southern Ontario and expressed her heartfelt admiration for the Church in Canada.

The primary purpose of her visit was to deliver a keynote spiritual address on the life of St. Porphyrios Kafsokalyvitis (+1991), a modern day saint and Miracle-worker, who she knew personally for more than 10 years.

The edifying address was given at the Church of St. Nicholas in Toronto on Saturday, March 7, which was preceded by a holy Vespers service presided over by Archimandrite Ignatios Delis, Dean of the Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy.

Approximately 1,000 pious faithful of different nationalities came to listen to Abbess Theoxeni talk about the blessed life of the holy Hieromonk. The address, delivered in English and Greek, lasted roughly one-hour and was followed by a discussion period facilitated by Rev. Fr. Fanourios Pappas, the Parish Priest who is from Crete and who warmly introduced the Abbess to the faithful.

Participants included more than a dozen clergymen; Abbess Alexia and Sisters from the Holy Monastery of St. Kosmas Aitolos in Bolton, Ontario; Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; the President of the Philoptochos in Canada, Ms. Efthimia Coutsougeras; and, many Community Council and Philoptochos Chapter Presidents.

Following the spiritual nourishment delivered by Abbess Theoxeni which energized the faithful during this holy period of Sarakosti, the Community of St. Nicholas offered a complimentary Lenten meal to all people in the Metropolitan Cultural Centre.

The Abbess also delivered homilies on Friday, March 6 (following the Salutations), on the Most-holy Theotokos and on Sunday, March 8, on St. Gregory Palamas (Second Sunday of Lent) and the previous Abbess, Theosemni, who fell asleep in the Lord in 2000.

Abbess Theoxeni and Sister Theolekti will also be visiting and speaking with the faithful in Canada’s capital, Ottawa, as well as in Montreal, Quebec.