The Falling Asleep of Elder Moses of Athikia

 In the announcement of the glorification of St. Pachomios of Chios by our Holy Church of the G.O.C. of Greece in 2014, it was said “…he was the spiritual Father of Elder Moses, founder of the Holy Monastery of the Holy Archangels in Athikia, Corinth.” Though Elder Moses died under the omophorion of Bishop Matthew of Bresthena in 1946, this was prior to the final unfortunate separation of Bishop Matthew from the Holy Synod in 1948. Elder Moses’ fidelity to the Orthodox faith would most certainly have revealed itself in its opposition to Bishop Matthew’s unjustifiable and uncanonical single-handed consecrations of 1948. In light of this, the following testimony on the passing of Elder Moses is presented by his spiritual son.

On the Falling Asleep of Elder Moses of Athikia (+ June 1/14, 1946)

As told by his disciple, Metropolitan Kallistos of Corinth

It was the desire of the holy Elder Moses that his repose be at the men's monastery which was in a secluded area, far away from the tumult of the world. Death came to him in the midst of the German occupation of Greece, during World War II. Four or five days before his repose, he told me and all the fathers that it was time for him to leave this world. "My soul will leave on Friday towards Saturday at dawn. When I leave, don't inform the sisters right away, but let a few hours pass."

At dawn on Saturday he asked to receive the Precious Gifts, the Body and Blood of Our Saviour. He then crossed his arms and gave up his soul. Overcome with sorrow and anxiety, I said to one of the brothers: "Hurry and notify the others so they can say a prayer rope for the Elder, for he has reposed." The brother ran and notified the sisters. But no sooner did the mourning begin than the Elder came back to life, I was standing over him, ready to prepare his body for burial, when I heard him say, "Oh, lost man! Elder?!" "Elder?" he said. "How can you call me Elder? Didn't I tell you not to say anything for a few hours, and now look what you've done. You've brought me back. What do I owe you that I have to wait another week and endure all these trials and sorrows? Let me go, let me leave, why did you call me back?"

Another week passed and again it was Saturday morning. Once more the Elder received the Holy Mysteries - and reposed. This time I let a little more time pass, but again, in my sorrow I forgot the Elder's injunction. Or perhaps I was being a bit deceptive. Thinking that what had occurred might happen again, I told the brother to quickly notify everyone of the Elder's passing. I started to prepare him again when I heard his voice. I almost fainted. All the monks gathered and exclaimed in disbelief: "Elder! Elder!" A bigger sigh was heard this time from the Elder as he came back to life. "Why don't you let me go? Let me leave quietly, at least this coming Saturday, definitely, for it is God's will that I leave then. You will then be witness to the departure of my soul, for God will permit us a soul-profiting lesson."

Friday night after Vespers I went to see the Elder and asked if there was anything that we could bring him. "Are you fathers well?" he asked. "What is Philaret (a monk who did carpentry work) doing outside my door, banging and making all that racket? Doesn't he know the state I'm in? Can't you leave me in peace in my last hours? Please, go and find out what is going on, and ask him to please stop all that noise, for I cannot bear it.” I went outside but there was no one there. "Oh, I understand now. It's the enemy, the demons, coming to make this attack before my soul's departure. Please, give me the Holy Mysteries so that I might be fortified with God's grace. Also, please bring me the picture of my holy Elder Pachomius, for he will come to receive me and take me before the Bridegroom of our souls, our Lord Jesus Christ, so that I can worship the Holy Trinity. Why are you standing there! Don't you see what is going on? Prepare the censer, light the candles and read the Gospel, so that we may receive the approaching saints and saved friends and acquaintances.''

Suddenly my spiritual eyes were opened, and I realized that this was truly an awesome moment; the Elder was seeing the spiritual and bright heavenly world. His face changed and became bright like the sun, with a joy unspeakable and unending, and I heard him say: "Thank you, thank you, Elder!" His deceased elder Pachomius had come and he was thanking him for the angelic schema which he had given him, for the riassa, the polistavri, belt, monastic headcover, prayer rope, etc.

When he finished his conversation with Elder Pachomius, his face again changed, and with a staunchly defensive spirit he spoke out in a firm voice: "You wretched, horny, black and incompetent demon: No!" This is how he answered the demonic leaders who examined him at the toll houses. All their false and slanderous accusations he answered with a firm "No!" He passed through the twelve toll houses and then, in the loudest possible voice, the Elder said to the demon parading in front of him: "You short one, what do you want? Who are you? Identify yourself so that I can see who you are." It was finally revealed that this was the demon of heresy. "Who are you calling a heretic, you lying, evil demon?" Making the sign of the cross, the Elder began reciting the Confession of the Orthodox Faith, whereupon the demon became like smoke and disappeared. The Elder then explained that all the demonic leaders of the different toll houses had a sign which identified them as being responsible for a mortal sin. All the demons paraded in front of him and then, as howling wild beasts, they disappeared like smoke. He said how terrible it would be for any Christian to be held captive by these deceitful and horny creatures, particularly the monastics who will replace the angelic order.

The Elder received the Holy Mysteries once more, and within a short time his blessed soul departed from his body and ascended to the heavenly mansions where he could rejoice eternally in the Kingdom of Heaven. His face shone brightly as the sun, exactly as when I first met him. We couldn't take our eyes off such a sight and we regretted having to put on the monastic headcover (koukoulion) as is the custom. But we couldn't do otherwise, and began preparing his holy body for burial. Prayers for the repose of his soul were read and all other necessary arrangements required by the Church were completed. After a few hours had passed we notified the sisters of the Elder's repose. They were grief stricken like the rest of us. It was Friday night, a few minutes before midnight, June 14, 1946. We buried him the following day.

So great was my sorrow that I could not bear to leave his grave site. I stayed there for three days praying and weeping, for I felt totally alone without his guidance and protection. Sleep usually overtook me for a few hours before dawn. On the third day, feeling exhausted from the vigil and my sorrow, I lay down to rest a little. Whether I slept or not, whether my eyes were open... I saw growing from the middle of his grave a large, magnificent tree with many branches and marvelous leaves: it was heavy with beautiful fruit, large and juicy, which resembled apples sweet to the taste and wondrous to the sight, with an indescribable fragrance which permeated the surrounding area. In the middle of the trunk I saw a bright gold sign unfolding, bearing the following inscription: "THE TREE OF OBEDIENCE. Remain in your holy obedience and you will taste of these fruits, and in its shade you will rest eternally." On seeing this, my soul was comforted and, filled with spiritual joy, I was able to go to the Monastery of the Archangels in Athikia, where we began serving the forty Liturgies for the repose of the Elder's soul.

Source: Orthodox America, Issue 69, Vol. VII, No. 9, April - May, 1987 (with slight corrections). Compiled and translated from the Greek by Mrs. John Rigas.