Fr. Amphilochios Makris

Brief Introduction

Elder Amphilochios Makris was born on the island of the Apocalypse, Patmos in 1889. He was a
great defender of Orthodoxy, having suffered much throughout the years of Italian Fascist
Occupation of the Greek Dodecanese islands. During those years he set up secret schools and made
sure that the Greek language and Orthodox faith continued to be taught to the children of these
islands, despite the best attempts of the Fascists and the Church of Rome to tear them from their
roots.For many years he was abbot of the Monastery of St.John the Theologian on Patmos. He also
founded the women's monastery of The Annunciation [Evangelismos] of the Mother of the Beloved
1937. Which still thrives today as a beacon for the faithful. He was noted for his many virtues, his
love, humility and fatherly concern for his spiritual children. Fr. Amphilochios was a great believer in
the strength of monasticism and in Christian mission. He himself travelled as a preacher throughout
the war years and beyond. In addition, Fr. Amphilochius founded other monasteries throughout the
Greek islands, and was responsible for orphanages and various charitable institutions. The Elder
died in 1970. This is the barest of introductions and does not even begin to describe the life of this
outstanding figure of the 20th century. I am currently working on a translation of the book, The
Elder of Patmos: Amphilochios Makris (1889-1970) by His Eminence Ignatios, Metropolitan of
Verati, Avlona and Canine, Albania. For the moment I present a few spiritual counsels and sayings,
in a rough draft, from the same book.

Spiritual Counsels and Sayings

From time to time Elder Amphilochios delivered wise advice to his spiritual children, for their
personal benefit, spiritual illumination and direction, "as the spirit gave him utterance" . These sayings
are the fruit of experience of his holy life, which was a continuous struggle and a succession of
trials.His life was a model and example of his words. He did not just talk and give advice. First and
foremost he practised what he preached. Here we present some examples from the wealth of his
spiritual counsel, chosen from whatever was saved like valuable diamonds by our brothers and
sisters, who were taught by him and confessed to him, in their earnesty.

Sayings

When you cultivate prayer the Tempter's blusterings will not trouble you. Prayer diminishes his
strength, he cannot do anything to us. (February 1965)

The end of my life draws near I ask you to live a holy life, to walk along holy paths, so that you may
help both our Church and Greece.

Remaining faithful to Monasticism is considered to be a martyrdom.

Christ often comes and knocks at your door and you invite him to sit in the living-room of your soul.
Then, absorbed in your own business you forget the Great Visitor. He waits for you to appear and
when you are too long in returning, he gets up and leaves. At other times, you are so busy that you
answer him from the window. You don't even have time to open the door.

You are royalty, destined for the heavenly bridal chamber.

We you see a person who is spiritually tired do not burden him any further, because his knees won't
be able to bear it

Love the One, so that even wild beasts will love you.

True wealth, for me, is to see you in the Kingdom of Heaven.

When the flame of love exists, it consumes whatever evil approaches.

The person who loves spiritually, feels prayerful, that he can be found within God and his brother.
He is saddened when his brother is not advancing well and prays for his progress. Whoever has
Christian love never changes.

Hold the banner of Christ up high, so that you've always got your elder's telephone number no
matter where you are.

Christ is the same, yesterday and today, but we have closed our eyes and look into the darkness. It
is because we carry on like this that some fall in the mud and others are killed.

Those things we hear about, war, earthquakes, catastrophes, thunderings, expect rain too.

We must be ready for our defence and our martyrdom.

I beseech the Lord to sanctify you, so that I may see you in Paradise. This is the dowry which I seek
from the Lord for you.

For God's grace to come during the Liturgy you must be concentrated and untroubled.

The more a person loves God, the more he loves other people. He loves them with holiness, respect
and refinement, as images of God.

When a person lacks inner warmth, he will be frozen and cold, even in summer.

When your heart does not have Christ, it will contain either money, property or people instead.

Please put this commandment into practice. Cultivate love towards the Person of Christ to such an
extent that, when you pronounce His name, tears fall from your eyes. Your heart must really burn.
Then He will become your teacher. He will be your Guide, your Brother, your Father, and your
Elder.

Love your Bridegroom Christ with all your heart and then everyone will love you and take care of
you.

I desire the rebirth of Monasticism, because in my opinion, monasticism is the evzone [elite military
unit] battalion of the Church.

God's protection diminishes temptation.

Because of widespread corruption, people cannot understand that spiritual love exists.

Worldly people tire you, because whatever is stored up inside them comes at you like waves of
electricity. We must be people of grace so much so that whoever comes to us may find rest.

Let us look upon everyone as our superiors, however weak they may appear. Let us not be harsh,
but always bear in mind that the other person also has the same destination as us.

We must have Love, even if they do us the greatest harm, we must love them. We will be able to
enter Paradise only with love.

Cultivate the Jesus Prayer and a time will come when your heart will leap with joy, just as it does
when you are about to see a person who you love very much.

Do not neglect evening prayer. Pray with eagerness like those who are going to a feast. They are
awake and feel joy alone. Thus, since you are going to speak with your Bridegroom, do not listen
when the Tempter tells you various things in order to hinder you, because you know there is
someone who cares for you.

Question: "Elder, how must we picture Christ?" Answer: "We must always bring to Christ to mind
with love. We could be holding the photograph of someone in our hands, but since we do not know
them, we do not love him, we are not moved. Whereas, when we pick up a photograph of our
mother, our soul immediately leaps and cries out with love.

A person can be raised up above the earth by two wings, one is simplicity and the other is purity of
heart. You must be simple in your actions and pure in your thoughts and feelings. With a pure heart
you'll seek God and with simplicity you'll find Him and be glad. A pure heart passes through
Heavens gate with ease.

Self-denial must be cultivated with discernment, otherwise we reach the point of suicide.

We are on the high seas of life, sometimes there are storms and at other times calm. God's grace
does not leave us. Else, we would have sunk, if he had not held us up.

The saints always look to the other life. It is the grace of the remembrance of death.

God guards us from temptation. He does not allow us to be tempted beyond our strength.He allows
everything for our good.

When spirituality increases, even sleep will have been fought off.

Prayer is grace. God gives it when zeal and humility exist.

Fight the Hater of Good, who envies you, bravely suffer whatever befalls you with fortitude, patience
and faith.

Do not allow your soul's enemy to wage war against you. He appears in sheep's clothing,
supposedly wanting your soul's benefit.

Trust in the Lord always and he will nourish you in time of hunger.

With a good word for your neighbour, supporting him, you buy paradise.

Repentance must occur, not from fear of punishment but because we have sinned before God.
Sweeten your thoughts with words of consolation and hope. Warm your words with the warmth of
your love towards your Bridegroom and remember His Passion, which he underwent for you, so
that you would remain firm, devoted and humble. Give your whole self completely over to the
protecting veil of the Panagia.

Love giving hospitality, my child, for it opens the gates of Paradise. In this you also offer hospitality
to angels. "Entertain strangers so that you won't be a stranger to God."

The saints submitted to whatever God sent them, with childlike simplicity, "That's the way You want
it. Let Your will be done."

Hospitality... the greatest of virtues. It draws the grace of the Holy Spirit towards us. In every
stranger's face, my child, I see Christ himself.

Sorrow is pleasing to God, in as much as it doesn't take away our courage to fight.

It is necessary and beneficial for a general self-examination to take place from time to time,
remembering all former sins.

Leave all your concerns to the hands of God. Ask for whatever you want, like a child asking from its
father.

Prayer is a gift from God. Always ask with hope.

Our deeds, dear sister, will not save us; God's infinite mercy will.

Spiritual bonds become unbreakable when they come across a child-like spirit, innocence and
sanctity.

Everything seems dark and difficult to a person without Christ.

Every day I pray that I may see you amongst the ranks of women saints.

I don't want to be in Paradise without you, my children.

Question: How do you manage to have such patience and perseverance in everything? Answer: The
grace of God helps. I always believe in the power of God, my child, Who alters and adjusts
everything for the benefit of our soul.

The person who gets agitated doesn't think straight, logically. 29/10/67

When I see a person who is irritated, I don't listen to what he is saying, but pray for God to pacify
him. That's why I don't get distressed. When they calm down, when the time is right, I talk to them
because they are then in a position to comprehend their foolishness.

The Grace of God and spiritual union with Him transform a person Fears and suspicions go away,
he doesn't fear death, and views this life, however good it may be, as slavery 2/5/1969

God is visiting you when tears come during prayer.

When a person is simplified, he is deified. He becomes innocent, humble, gentle, free. 1/11/1968

Never ever give importance to anything earthly and fleeting. Take care of your spiritual union with
God instead.

19/6/1968 When you hear your name being criticized act as if you didn't hear. This is Paradise, this
is perfection.

29/12/1967 Our religion slays the passions not the body.

Where thee is fear of God wisdom is given 25/7/1967

I want you to be calm so that we can meet. When you're tired the wireless doesn't work.
29/10/1967

The Christian is a true human being He is courteous and polite. He doesn't want to sadden anybody.
29/10/1967

Innocence is greater than genius.

A person who suffers from egotism attracts no-one. And if he does attract someone he will soon go
away. When one comes across a childlike spirit, innocence and holiness the bond becomes
unbreakable.

Your hearts are young and want to love. You must have our Christ alone in your heart. Your
Bridegroom wants you to love only Him. 1/1/1968

The spiritual life has great pleasures. You fly, you leave the world , you don't consider anything. You
become children and God dwells in your heart. 28/4/1968

The Grace of the All-Holy Spirit makes a person send out rays. However, other people must have a
good receiver in order to realise this. 1/1/1968

We must have our gaze fixed on heaven. Then nothing will shake us.

Take communion regularly, pray warmly, be patient and you will see a strong hand holding you.

Christ is near us even if we don't see Him. Sometimes, from his great love, He gives us a slap too.

You should be glad. Jesus holds an artists chisel in His hands. He wants to prepare you a statue for
the Heavenly Palace.

The person who shouts has no strength.

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