St Gerasimos, the patron Saint of
Kefalonia used to live in this cave, depicted below, before establishing a
monastery, where his relics are currently located. St Gerasimos was born into
the Notaras aristocratic family of Trikala Korinthias in 1506 AD. His parents
were Dimitrios and Kallie Notara. His grandfather, Lucas, was the last Prime
Ministerof Byzantium and a relative of Constantinos Palaeologus, the Emperor of
the Byzantine Empire.
On completion of his excellent
education, he toured all the sacred places in Greece. He went to Constantinople
on a pilgrimage. He then moved on to Mount Athos, the Garden of the Virgin
Mary, where he was ordained a monk. He later moved to the Holy Land, where he
served for 12 years and was ordained to the priesthood. He wished to seek
peace, therefore he left, moving on to Crete and then to Zakynthos.
St Gerasimos eventually ended up
in Kefalonia in 1555, where he spent five years in a cave in Lassi (depicted in
the pictures here), an area on the outskirts of Argostoli (the capital of
Kefalonia). In 150 he established a convent, naming it New Jerusalem. The St
had a famous motto, which he preached all his life: ‘Children, live in peace
and do not be arrogant.’
The Saint passed away on August
15th 1579. However, he is commemorated on August 16th,
due to the celebration of the Dormition of the Mother of God on the 15th
August. His relics were uncovered on October 20th 1581 that is why
he is also celebrated on this day. Therefore St Gerasimos is celebrated twice
within a year.
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