The last living niece of Saint Nikephoros the leper falls asleep in the Lord
Mrs. Ioanna (Giannoula) Mandrabazaki, the last living niece of Saint Nikephoros the Leper (daughter of his sister, Smaragda Nikolakaki, nee Tzanakaki), has fallen asleep in the Lord. The Holy Metropolis of Kissamos and Selinos announced the passing away of Blessed Giannoula with human sorrow and hope in the resurrection.
The funeral service, which was conducted in Syrikari, Kissamos, the birthplace of Saint Nikephoros and His late niece, was officiated by His Eminence Metropolitan Amphilochios of Kissamos and Selinos, who noted: “With respect and emotion, we send today, on the journey to eternity, our respected eldress Ioanna (Giannoula) Mandrabazaki, the last living niece of our Holy Father Nikiforos the Leper.
Our blessed sister Giannoula, as we all knew her, was a graceful and blessed person, with an unfeigned and deep faith in God and a heartfelt devotion to Saint Nikephoros. Her ‘uncle’, as she called The Saint, whom she had met and loved through the stories of her blessed mother, Smaragda Nikolakaki, nee Tzanakaki, sister of Saint Nikephoros.
The respected eldress Giannoula was honoured to experience the canonisation of Saint Nikephoros, the creation of His First Pilgrimage site on property that her family donated to the Holy Metropolis, the opening of the doors and the holy consecration of the Holy Pilgrimage. She rejoiced like a small child in all this spiritual joy of creating the Pilgrimage site of our Saint. Her bright face and pure gaze reflected the purity and cleanliness of her soul. Full of love, kindness, smiles and prayers to all.
We are grateful and thank her. Precious is the legacy of her wish and her deep reverence for Saint Nikephoros, from Whose house there was no lack of any Holy Supplication Service and Divine Liturgy. A sacred legacy to her children and grandchildren, but also to all of us. Our emotion is great that we are sending off a relative of our Saint, with the certainty that the intercessions of her beloved ‘uncle’, our Holy Father Nikephoros the Leper, will accompany her to the arms and tents of God’s glory”.
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