Former Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou, Elder Christodoulos fell asleep in the Lord
The Former Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou, Archimandrite Christodoulos, fell asleep in the Lord on Mount Athos. The blessed Elder had offered his request to retire from the position of Abbot due to health reasons in 2020.
The Funeral Service took place, yesterday, Wednesday 10 May 2023, at the Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou, Mount Athos.
Archimandrite Christodoulos was a figure worthy of great attention and request as he worked for the complete manning and re-operation of the Holy Monastery which he ministered for decades. This person went to Mount Athos as a young man, and undertook the torturous task of rebuilding the ruined Koutloumousiou Monastery.
“He made her, a jewel. And while the monastery was functioning normally, with monks and an enviable program, the Monastery caught fire. Father Christodoulos’ entire work was consigned to the flames. Both he and Saint Paisios helped put out the devastating fire, trying to fight with buckets. That day – the monks remember – Archimandrite Christodoulos’ hair turned white. This shows how tragic it was for him to see his work destroyed by the flames, a work of labor to which he devoted all his strength. And yet, it was not recovered.
He did not complain to God. But with amazing faith and prayer he resumed the reconstruction of the monastery. And it succeeded. He succeeded, and some time ago for reasons of health he handed over the Monastery to his successor and always worthy Fr. Nikolaos”, it is stated on the back cover of the blessed Elder’s book entitled “The three-fold Gift”.
The Koutloumousiou Monastery was founded by Saint Koutloumousis at the end of the 13th century. The first dean of the Monastery was the emperor Alexios I Komnenos. The Monastery is sixth in the hierarchy of Mount Athos and twelfth in antiquity. Among the most valuable icons of the Koutloumousiou Monastery is the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary of “Awesome Protection”, which is considered indestructible by flames, as it has survived many fires. It is a gift from Princess Theodora of Byzantium, daughter of Emperor John VI Katakouzinos.
Source: orthodoxianewsagency.gr
