Nikolaos Karavelis, born Triantafyllos and Evangelia, was born in Verdikousa, Elassona, in 1896. He was ordained a monk along with two other brothers on 15.11.1920 at the Holy Monastery of the Holy Trinity, Sourvia, Volos. In 1926 they moved to the monastery of Flamouri, which was founded by the Philotheite Saint Symeon the Barefoot and Monastic (+1594). Together with the other two monks, he came to Mount Athos in 1924, the hieromonk Christopher (+1955), who went to the Vatopedi Skete of Saint Demetrius, and his subordinate monk Symeon (+1956).
Gerasimos, this Thessalian priest, had the ancient Kyriakos of the skete of Saint Basil as his cell. From the monastery of Flamourion of the Dimitriades diocese, he came to Mount Athos as a deacon. He studied under Elder Kallinikos (+1930), the hesychast, at Katounakia, where he taught him the secrets of mental prayer. He was small, thin, beardless and weak, but with a brave soul and a heart that loved Christ, was charitable, fraternal and filial. His daily refreshment was the book of Philokalia. He was a warm supporter and follower of the sacred Kollyvades. He communed daily and spoke with “passion” about the continuous divine Communion. He would say with tears: "What do the blessed fathers lose who live far from the holy chalice!" He would forget himself in the reading of the holy services and in perpetual prayer. He had no interest in reading the Hours, Vespers, the Theotokarios, the Evening Meal, the Greetings, the Matins, the Divine Liturgy. He would dedicate entire nights to God, without thinking or considering his weak flesh. He would spend many evenings with a sage. Poverty. Simplicity, quietness and devotion always reigned in the humble cell of this blessed Elder. He was ordained a presbyter in 1937. He reposed in the Lord on 15.2.1967 in the Hut of the Presentation of the Theotokos.