Saint Methodia - Kimolos
Born to devout parents on November 10, 1861, in Kimolos, she was the third of eight children in her family. Baptized as Irene, from a very young age, she stood out for her piety, modesty, and love for the Church.
Growing up in the devout environment of her island and within a family dedicated to Christ, her faith blossomed alongside her youth. She longed and waited for the appropriate time to fully dedicate herself to God and the Church.
However, as she reached a "marriageable age," her parents decided to marry her off to a sailor from Chios. Submissive to their wishes, she obeyed and married the young man. Shortly after their marriage, her husband was lost at sea and drowned on the shores of Asia Minor. At that moment, Irene felt it was her divine calling. The Church of the Holy Methodia
When she confessed her desire to her spiritual father, he encouraged her to pursue her purpose. After suitable preparation, she became a nun, receiving the name Methodia from the then Archbishop of Syros, Methodios. This was an immense joy for Methodia, as her deepest desire had been fulfilled. From then on, she spent her life faithfully following the rules of monasticism, secluded in her solitary cell at "Stiadi," in the (uninhabited) Castle of Kimolos, next to the Holy Church of the Birth of the Lord, dating back to 1592.
This secluded cell was a true sanctuary where Methodia practiced her asceticism with deep faith and fervent dedication. Despite not living in a monastery, she meticulously observed the monastic rules. Her faith, prayers, fasting, vigils, study, and good deeds made her small cell a sanctified and holy place, radiating both literally and metaphorically with a divine fragrance.
Rarely did Methodia leave her place of seclusion, only attending divine liturgy and partaking in the Holy Communion or when there was great need to assist someone. During Lent, she would only listen to and advise women in great need, communicating through a small window, the sole opening of her cell, without opening its door. However, her cell was a true sacred school not only for the women of Kimolos but also for those from other islands who sought spiritual guidance and relief from life's hardships. She had devoted disciples who carried the "dew and remedy" emanating from this blessed place to their families. One could rightfully say that she influenced the lives of all her compatriots.
A life of strict fasting, vigilance, prayer, tears, humility, and philanthropy elevated Methodia to become a "healing balm of Christ," bestowed with the grace to perform miracles. These miracles were witnessed by her fellow islanders, and continue to happen even today to those with a pure heart and faith who invoke her assistance.
At the age of 47, after a brief illness, the "bearer of Christ" Saint Methodia peacefully passed away on October 5, 1908. It was a common belief among her fellow islanders that God had counted her among His saints. In their minds, she was already a Saint, evident by the fact that on August 15, 1946, they issued and signed a declaration recognizing Saint Methodia as the island's patron saint and great benefactor.
Τhe procession of the relics of Saint Methodia
In 1962, a small church was built in the place of her ruined cell, dedicated to the Virgin Eleousa and Saint Methodia. Her sacred relics, previously housed in the church of Saint Spyridon, were transferred to this church on October 5, 1991, during the official declaration of her canonization. It became a holy and touching place of worship for every faithful Christian.
She was called the "ever-burning candle of the Aegean Sea," the dignity and protector of Kimolos, a receptacle of virtues, a precious vessel of divine enlightenment, a luminous beacon of the Cyclades. Numerous epithets adorned the humble islander, who from an early age felt the Lord's call and responded with all the strength of her soul. In the past two centuries, the Cyclades have given the Orthodox Church four saints: Saint Nikodemos the Athonite from Naxos, Saint Arsenios from Paros, Saint Pelagia from Tinos, and Saint Methodia of the 20th century from Kimolos. Her official canonization was proclaimed by the Ecumenical Patriarchate through act 499 on June 17, 1991. Her memory is celebrated on October 5.
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