Talk 52: The Relics, Miracles and Canonization of Saint Nektarios the Wonderworker

Orthodox Talks by Priestmonk Kosmas, Sydney, Australia
www.OrthodoxTalks.com
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Christ said, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.” These words were shown to be true in the life of Saint Nektarios the Wonderworker of Aegina. This saint of God endured from his fellow clergymen exactly what Christ foretold: they disdained him, excluded him, hated him, and slandered him, all because he followed Christ’s commandments. But greatly was he rewarded – not only with salvation, but also in that his holy relics emitted a sweet fragrance and myrrh, performed many signs and miracles, and remained incorrupt for many years.

In this talk, Father Kosmas discusses in some detail the miraculous relics of Saint Nektarios and a number of his miracles. He describes the forty years after the repose of the saint leading up to his canonization in 1961. He likewise emphasizes the importance of examining all aspects of one who is to be considered a saint – not just signs and miracles.

The following questions are also discussed: what did Saint Nektarios prophesy regarding his monastery on Aegina? Was it right to paint icons of and compose services to the saint before he was canonized? How are fanatical zealots and ecumenists similar in spirit? Why are truth without love and love without truth satanic? Are incorrupt relics always a sign of holiness? Why do the bodies of some saints remain incorrupt, while others decompose?

Other points covered in this talk include: how Protestants wrongly condemn the veneration of saints and relics; healings of the possessed at the saint’s tomb; a miracle involving a dying paralyzed boy; the conversion of an unbelieving bishop; the miraculous deliverance of a sinking ship; the meaning of the statement “miracles are for the unbelieving and not for believers”; and true saints versus false.

Talk 52 duration: 3hrs 45mins
Chanting duration: 18mins (Canon to St Nektarios)
Total duration: 4hrs 3mins