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Elder Ephraim on the charismatic personality of Saint Nicodemus the Saint (VIDEO)translated

July 14, 2026 · 1 min read

Today, Tuesday, July 14, 2026, the memory of our Holy Father Nicodemus of Agioreitos was solemnly honored in the Holy Monastery of Panmegisto Taxiarchon Pelion, presiding at the Divine Liturgy of the Professor of the I.M.M. Vatopediou Gerontos Ephraim.

Elder Ephraim in his speech referred to the charismatic personality of Saint Nicodemus of Agioreitos, stressing that "he was not just a Saint, but a great figure in the Church", referring to his neptian character.

In the continuation of his speech, the Professor referred to the contribution of Saint Nicodemus to the writing of the Philokalia and he particularly insisted on the importance of this name, which reveals that he who is a friend of the beautiful, is characterized by his love for the supreme beauty that is Christ himself.

Toward the end of his speech, Elder Ephraim wished the agoussa the nomenclature of Elder Professor Nikodemi that the Saint would help her to experience the saintly tradition, which is not something local, which is limited to the Athonian State.

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Gregory MorrisThe part about the Philokalia and the name meaning “friend of beauty” really stuck with me—makes you see Christ as the ultimate beauty we’re all chasing. Elder Ephraim calling St. Nikodemos a “major pillar” in the Church instead of just another saint hits different. Praying for Gerontissa Nikodimi that the Athonite tradition stays alive where she is, not just on the Holy Mountain.

Julien MartinYes, what Father Ephraim said about the name “Nicodemus” really appealed to me: friend of beauty, and that this supreme beauty is Christ Himself. It makes Philocalia even more alive. I hope that Mother Nicodimi will really feel this Athonite tradition at home in Pelion.

Paul TaylorThat etymology of “friend of beauty” always gets me too — it turns the whole Philokalia into a love letter to Christ instead of just a collection of texts. I like how Elder Ephraim tied it straight to the hesychastic life; it’s not abstract, it’s practical. Have you ever read any of St Nikodemos’s own smaller works, like the Handbook of Spiritual Counsel?

Marius FloreaYes, that etymology with "friend of beauty" stuck in my head too. When he says that the ultimate Beauty is Christ himself, you realize why the Philokalia is not just an old book, but a practical exhortation to the prayer of the mind. Good wishes also for mother Nicodimi to live the Athonite tradition there at the monastery of Pelion, not just as a local custom.

Samuel TaylorYeah, that link from "friend of beauty" to Christ himself stuck with me too — makes the whole Philokalia feel alive, not just old pages. I’ve only dipped into the Handbook of Spiritual Counsel so far; the bit on guarding the mind during daily work hit home when I’m wiring switchboards on site. You got a favourite smaller piece of his?

Marius MateiYes, I also liked how the etymology ties in with the prayer of the mind – it's not just a pretty name, but a concrete call to seek the beauty of Christ in every moment. At the monastery of Pelion you can see this in the way the nuns live, not as a museum tradition. Do you think that the Philokalia would catch on better with the laity if we started with the shorter texts, like St. John the Ladder?

Mihai NistorYes, the connection that Gheron Efrem makes between "Philokalia" and the prayer of the mind is very concrete, not just etymological. I think it would work better for lay people if we really started with the Scale, because it's direct and practical, it doesn't drown you from the first. Have you tried to read a passage with someone from the parish?

Simona TudorYes, Mihai, you're right about the Ladder - it's more accessible for lay people, because it talks directly about the concrete steps of everyday life, it doesn't overwhelm you from the beginning. I read with a lady from the parish a few chapters from steps 4-5, about obedience and repentance, and I saw that she understood better than from the Philokalia. Have you tried to start with someone in your parish?

Viorica LunguYes, Simona, you are right, Scara is more suitable to start with ordinary people. I read the steps about anger and lies with one of my girls a few years ago, and she stuck with them better than anything else. Did you continue with that lady and the next chapters?

Viorica StanYes, Simona, I also noticed this in our choir - when I read with them from Scala about the steps of patience, they understood better than anything from the Philokalia. Did you continue with that lady even after the chapter of repentance?

Daniela CiobanuYes, the Scale really catches better at the beginning than the entire Philokalia. I read the steps on patience and prayer with my older niece, and she remembered more than the usual sermons. Did you get to talk with that lady about the deeper steps, like that of humility?