In the village of Kaminaki, Lassithi Plateau, Crete, the worldly Sergios Gounoulakis was born in 1903. A large cross was formed in the holy font during his baptism. As a child, he was distinguished for his love of learning. From a young age, he desired to become a monk. As soon as he finished his military service, he went as a cadet to the monastery of Penteli, Attica.
In 1925 he came to Mount Athos and was tonsured a monk in the Shed of the Presentation of the Theotokos of St. Basil by the strict Elder Matthew Karpathakis in 1926. He never went out into the world again. He had great asceticism. He often walked barefoot. From the world he only remembered the Divine Liturgies and the vigils in his village. His craft was woodcarving. He particularly loved study. He devoted a lot of time to the study of the works of the Holy Fathers. He had a developed extensive correspondence. He supported many Christians with his wise admonitions. Years of careful study had made him wise. His graceful speech touched the hearts of his listeners, who arrived thirsty at his deserted, meager and waterless Shed to hear the word of God and to quench their thirst. He was also very merciful and attended to the needs of his fellow ascetics. He had great devotion to Saints Joseph Gerontogiannis of the monastery of Timios Prodromos Kapsa and Parthenios and Eumenios of the monastery of Koudoumas in southern Crete.
On 21.11.1986, the feast day of their hermitage, Elder Damaskinos called his subordinate Augustine and entrusted him with the Gerontia. He asked him to invite the Spiritual to make a general confession and to celebrate the mystery of the divine and holy Unction. He asked for sincere forgiveness from everyone. He reposed in the Lord on 12.1.1987. Bishop Chrysostomos of Rodostolos called him an “ethereal Elder”. The Elder of the Paraclete Monastery Cherubinos described him as a “most pious monk”. The hieromonk Philip of Thomades wrote: “In his face one could see the old ascetics and hermits who, like white lilies, had blossomed in the deserts”. His good biographer and compatriot concludes: “This was Elder Damascene of Agiovasileiatis the Cretan. A pure spiritual fighter, a strict Athonite Monk, who spent his entire long ascetic life in fasting, vigils and prayers for the salvation of his soul, at the same time spiritually benefiting other people.” He was also called one of the last holy Kollyvades. The just Elder Gerasimos of Mikragiannanites mentioned him as a saint of our days.