Elder Iakovos Tsalikis (1920-1991) and St. John the Russian

Elder Iakovos Tsalikis (1920-1991) and St. John the Russian

“Elder Iakovos Tsalikis would regularly visit the Shrine of St. John the Russian in Evia.

He said: “Once, I saw the Saint alive inside of his reliquary. I asked him: “My Saint, how did you live in Asia Minor, what virtues and blessings did you have?

The Saint responded to me: “I slept in the cave in which was the stable and covered myself with straw to take cover in the winter so I wouldn’t freeze. I had humility and faith.”

In a short while he said to me: “Wait, Fr. Iakovos, because now two people have come to pray for a sick child. Wait until I go help him.”

Immediately the reliquary appeared empty, because the Saint left. In a short while, he returned, though I didn’t see how he did, but I saw him inside his reliquary like a [living] man!”