Where Have All The Saints Gone?

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Sat 26 July 2003 11:07 am

I was thinking about all the saints that were alive in 4th-6th century Gaul earlier today, and that got me to thinking about all the saints that were alive during the troubled times between the First and Fourth Ecumenical Councils (325-451). Here's a very truncated list of the saints (and other influential Christian thinkers/writers) who lived during that period:

Hilary of Poitiers, Martin of Tours, Illidius of Clermont, Honoratus of Arles, John Cassian, Vincent of Lerins, Hilary of Arles, Eucherius of Lyons, John Chrysostom, Augustine, Theodoret, Jerome, Athanasius, Gregory of Nyssa, Cyril of Jerusalem, Gregory the Theologian, Saint Basil, Ambrose, Leo the Great, Constantine, Theodosius, Cyril of Jerusalem, Ephraim the Syrian, Anthony, Dozens of "Desert Monks" who were saints, Innocent the First of Rome, Nicarete, Olympias the Deaconess, Porphyry of Gaza, Tigrius of Byzantium, Macrina, Pammachius of Rome, Aphrahat, Evagrius Ponticus, Eusebius, Socrates, Sozomen

But where are the saints today? One can easily find saints in the 20th century--even here in America. But where are the saints that are still alive today in the 21st century? Who are our saints today? I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks: "I wish I could have been around when Saint so and so was alive, so I could have met him". But how do we make this real, today? Undoubtedly there are saints alive today, but who are they? Where are they? When people say "Orthodoxy has no shepherd" or "Where are the Orthodox saints now?" whom do we point to? Who can we direct people to, and ourselves go to, as springs of the divine truth?

Anastasios · Post by **Anastasios** » Sun 27 July 2003 11:38 am

Here are some of my candidates (not in any way exhaustive or based on in-depth research so please don't bite!!):

1) Met. Hierotheos of Nafpaktos
2) Met. Philaret of ROCOR
3) Fr. Alexander Schmemman
4) Met. Chrysostomos of Florina (father of the Old Calendar movement)
5) Elder Ephraim
6) Is Mother Maria of Paris a saint yet? if not, she should be
7) Fr. Lev Gillet "A Monk of the Eastern Church"

...i'll add more when I think of them.

anastasios

Nektarios14 · Post by **Nektarios14** » Sun 27 July 2003 3:11 pm

Saints? There are a plethora of them an hour's drive from my house! Besides Elder Ephraim there is Elder Paisios and Papa Ephraim the younger at Saint Anthony's. The Holy Mountain is also full of saintly monks...

Recently reposed: Elder Cleopa of Romania, Elder Porphyrios, Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain, Father Seraphim of Platina, Father Gerasim of New Valaam, Metropolitan Philaret

bogoliubtsy · Post by **bogoliubtsy** » Sun 27 July 2003 4:20 pm

Many have already been mentioned that would be included on my list. I'd also like to add Matushka Olga Michael.

http://members.aol.com/johnd3/ONE/Matushka1197.html

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Sun 27 July 2003 5:25 pm

Ok, let me rephrase this. Does anyone know of people who are 1) still alive, and 2) who they strongly believe will be glorified as saints by the Church eventually? I know people who are "saintly" too, and many who were true saints in the 20th century. I'm asking about those who are alive today that we will be glorifying tomorrow (ie. sometime in the future)? Apart from personal opinions, I mean (ie. I'm asking about the type of person that many many people already consider a saint).

Logos · Post by **Logos** » Sun 27 July 2003 5:30 pm

I remember this tidbit from somwhere so I am paraphrasing. Someone once asked a monk I believe 'why are there no more staretz?' The monk replied, "because there are no more good students."

fserafim · Post by **fserafim** » Sun 27 July 2003 7:09 pm

Dear Friends in Christ,

This is an interesting question. There are of course many saints, but mainly hidden, it seems to me, to the probing western mind. As someone said to me recently - I'm American and curious and I have goals to fulfill. I am not sure what he meant and I am not accusing anyone on this list or myself of looking for effects.

For years I thought and prayed about this. Where are the saints? Where are the elders? I met Archimandrite Euthemios of Esphigmenou and the following year, Elder Paissios, who in fact prophesied events in my life (nothing spectacular - just 10 kids) - poor Matushka.

These encounters happened - they were not planned. So in my case, sinner that I am, I have stopped looking but try to be prepared for future encounters. Last September I met Elder Michael of St Sergius Lavra. He is a fool for Christ. All I can say that I felt the presence of grace as when one venerates certain relics or icons. It was so strong that I was speechless and just enjoyed being in his presence. BTW he was expecting me , it seems and asked where my Matushka was. I was inside the monastic enclosure and M was waiting outside.

Just a brief encounter.. In 1999, Eldress Nila of Voskresenk (Moscow) reposed. I am translating her life for my newsletter. She is a contemporary saint - I never heard of her when I was in Moscow in 1997.

In my ramblings I am trying to say that God will reveal His saints as and when expedient. I did not get a chance to visit Pskov, where there are definitely saints. The trip was cancelled by my host - no visit this time.. but may be later when I can benefit from it? Only God knows but be assured that the saints pray for the whole world and know our concern to meet them - every time we attend the Divine Liturgy.

Yours in Christ,
Fr Serafim