Our Geronda: The Life and Miracles of the Late Elder of Patmos, Amphilochios Makris

Elder Amphilochios Makris was born in 1889 on the island of Patmos where St. John wrote the Book of the Revelation, the last canonical book of the New Testament.
He was a great defender of Orthodoxy, having suffered much throughout the years of the 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 expunge them.

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 in 1937. It 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 missionary work. He himself traveled as a preacher throughout the war years and beyond. In addition, Fr. Amphilochius founded other monasteries throughout the Greek islands, including a monastery of St. Joseph the Betrothed, whom he honoured greatly.
The Elder was also responsible for orphanages and various charitable institutions. He fell asleep in the Lord in the year 1970.