Creators of Film "Man of God" Currently Working on New Film "Moses the Black"

On the heels of the success of Man of God, the English-speaking international hit on the life of the Greek saint Nektarios of Aegina, with a cast of acclaimed actors, including Golden Globe winner Mickey Rourke, writer-director-producer Yelena Popovic and producer Alexandros Potter recently launched Simeon Faith, a fund that will finance and produce talent-driven, highly marketable films with strong elements of faith for a global audience. Simeon Faith is backed by a network of cinephiles and investors that recognize the importance of investing in impactful content in a media-dominated world.

The fund aims to develop, finance and produce one to two films per year over the next four years, with a focus on hard-hitting, relevant and meaningful stories that will bring the lives of the saints and messages of faith to the big screen. The first film on the slate currently in development is Moses the Black, a story of a gangster in modern-day Chicago inspired by the incredible story of repentance of the fourth century saint of the same name. You can learn more about Saint Moses the Black here.

Fyodor Dostoevsky's Meeting With Archbishop Nicholas Kasatkin the Missionary of Japan

By Michael K. Makrakis

Although Dostoevsky was born in Moscow (30 October 1821), he spent his life in St. Petersburg since May 1837 changing many times his place of abode. His last address was on Kuznechny Lane, near the Church of Vladimirskaya. This is where he received the invitation of the Society of the Friends of Russian Literature to attend the unveiling of the Pushkin bust in Moscow and give a speech. It was April-May of 1880. Dostoevsky was then writing his last book "The Brothers Karamazov". Although he did not want to interrupt his work, his huge love for Pushkin made him finally decide to travel to Moscow.

He left on 22 May. His wife, Anna Grigoryevna, who accompanied him to the station, begged him to write to her every day describing all the details. This is why he composed the letters covering the period he stayed in Moscow: from the next day of his arrival (23-24 May) until the 8th of June, 1880, the day he gave the speech for Pushkin. This speech caused so much upheaval that it was characterised as a true "historical fact". As he writes in one of his letters (13 June 1880) after his speech "the people started sobbing and embracing one another swearing to be better in the future."

Movie: "Saint Chryse - A Ray of Light in the Years of Slavery" (2023)

Saint Chryse - A Ray of Light in the Years of Slavery

Directed by Nikos Katsoulis

Produced by the Metropolis of Edessa, Pella and Almopia

Released in 2023

In Greek with English subtitles

"Saint Chryse - A Ray of Light in the Years of Slavery" is the true story of the martyrdom of Saint Chryse, a young girl who lived in Slatena, Almopia (present-day village of "Chryse") in the late 18th century.

The plot of the movie takes place in 1795, in the village of Slatena. It is winter, so the young Chryse, a devout Orthodox Christian, goes to get firewood. Chryse is abducted by a local Muslim man who is infatuated with her. The young woman endures terrible suffering over the following nine months. She consistently undergoes physical and mental abuse since she won't accept Islam and wed her kidnapper. On October 13, 1795, she is horrifyingly murdered for her refusal to compromise her faith in Christ.

Movie: "Men of Anjolos" (1997) - An Islamic Movie on the Life of the Seven Youths of Ephesus

The Men of Anjolos (Persian: مردان آنجلس Mardān-e Ānjelos), also known as The Companions of the Cave (Persian: اصحاب کهف Ashāb-e Kahf), is a 1997 Iranian television series directed by Farajollah Salahshoor. It depicts the Islamic version of the story of the Seven Sleepers (mentioned in Surah al-Kahf of the Koran), which according to Islamic tradition took place in Jordan, not Ephesus as in the Christian version of the story.

Maria Menounos Fulfills a Dream By Visiting the Tomb of Saint Nektarios

On May 31st, Maria Menounos shared a moving testimony of her devotion to Saint Nektarios, after fulfilling a dream by visiting his tomb on the Greek island of Aegina with her husband. She wrote the following on Instagram, accompanied with photos:

"My trip to greece wasn’t all about island hopping and fun. I had a mission. I have dreamed about going to Aegina. For those of you who don’t know about it- Aegina is a small island in the Gulf of Greece, located just 16 miles southwest of Athens. Saint Nektarios, the patron saint of the island, was a prominent figure in the Greek Orthodox Church in the early 20th century and is known for his healing miracles. Saint Nektarios is considered a patron saint for people who are suffering from diseases; such as cancer, heart trouble, joint pain, epilepsy, arthritis and more. Ever since my mom and I were diagnosed with brain tumors friends would tell us they were going there to pray for us. We attended St. Nectarios church in California but going to his church in Greece was always the dream. I wanted to say thank you for all the miracles and healings we have been blessed with. It was our first stop on the trip. They say the faithful can hear St. Nectarios in the tomb. As soon as I kneeled down I heard knocking. Faint knocking noises. I asked Joanna our friend guiding us if that was him and she said yes. But I couldn’t believe it. I stayed ear to the tomb for a long time. I prayed to St. Nectarios and said please make it undeniable. I don’t want to leave here unsure if I heard you. As I was praying for the people in my life with cancer I heard a massive bang and started screaming I hear him! It was definitely undeniable. I sobbed with joy. It was so emotional as I feel I have such a connection with him and this just made me feel even more grateful for our connection. I will never forget this incredibly inspiring moment. I also got to sit on his bed where he used to live and got the chills. Everyone in our group was moved to tears on this visit. If you ever go to Greece, add this to your trip. St. Nectarios helps so many and has granted so many miracles. I like to say believe in the unbelievable because nothing is too far from possible when you believe in St. Nectarios. 🙏❤️🇬🇷 "

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A post shared by MARIA MENOUNOS (@mariamenounos)

Maria was diagnosed with stage 2 pancreatic cancer, considered among the most dangerous forms of cancer, back in January 2023, just a month before she was to publicly announce her first child via a surrogate. She credits her faith in God and the healing power of Saint Nektarios for her miraculous delivery, since she is now cancer free, and will be soon welcoming the birth of her baby.

Of course, Maria was not unfamiliar with Saint Nektarios before this incident. She placed her faith in the miraculous powers of Saint Nektarios even as far back as 2016, when her mother was diagnosed with brain cancer. Some months later, in 2017, she also was found to have a benign tumor in her brain, which was removed after a successful surgery, and she then began a mission in life to help people with their health, since she considered her healing a gift of God and was grateful to Saint Nektarios.

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A post shared by MARIA MENOUNOS (@mariamenounos)

It should be noted that notable Hollywood stars liked Maria's moving post about Saint Nektarios, including non-Greeks like Sylvester Stallone and Johnny Knoxville. With the recent appearance of Mickey Rourke in the successful 2021 drama film Man of God about the life of Saint Nektarios, it appears that he is becoming more and more known throughout the world.

In the video interview below, Maria said the following in Greek:

"It was a difficult battle I fought with cancer, but I see other people for whom it is tougher. Saint Nektarios helped me in my battle with cancer, I am very lucky. In my adventure I had my dad and my husband by my side who helped me.”

The Poet and the Saint: The Trek of Nicolas Calas to Mount Athos and his Meeting with Saint Daniel of Katounakia

Nicolas Calas (1907-88) was a Greek-American surrealist poet, art critic, cultural historian, and lifelong Trotskyist, who blended Marxism and psychoanalysis along with the ideas of Wilhelm Reich, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Ludwig Wittgenstein.

Calas's birth name was Nikos Kalamaris although he would publish essays as "Manolis Spieros" from 1929 to 1934 and poetry as "Nikitos Randos" from 1930 to 1936. An only child, born in Lausanne, Switzerland but raised in Athens, he was educated at home by his aristocratic family, who placed an emphasis on languages inasmuch as they hoped that he would become a diplomat.

Official Trailer: Saint Chryse (2021)

The film takes place in 1795, in the village of Slatena, near the border of Serbia and Bulgaria, when it was under Ottoman rule. The young Chryse (Zlata), who is a Christian, goes to gather wood, because it is winter. A Muslim in the area, who had been possessed by carnal love for Chryse, kidnaps her. For the next nine months the young girl suffers terrible abuse. She is systematically tortured, mentally and physically, because she refuses to convert to Islam and marry her abductor. She was horribly killed on October 13, 1795, refusing to betray her faith.

Movie Review: "Man of God" (2021) - Reviewed by Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria

As you may know from the 26th of August there began to be screened in the cinemas of Greece and Cyprus the film "Man of God", which is a film dedicated to Saint Nektarios of Pentapolis the Wonderworker.

Saint Nektarios is one of my beloved Saints and lived within the environment of the Patriarchate of Alexandria. I would like to convey my thoughts, those that were created by watching the film, because I believe that this film can give a lot of consolation and strength to the faithful in these difficult days that humanity is going through.

The film is directed by the Serbian in origin Yelena Popovic who also wrote the script. Many internationally renowned actors participated. I think that for the first time a film is presented to the Greek community that extols a Saint of the Church with equivalent seriousness and professionalism.

The First Movie About Saint Nektarios from 1969

 

On August 26th, Yelena Popovic's popular film The Man of God, which refers to Saint Nektarios, opened in cinemas in Greece. This film is primarily in English.

This brings to mind another film about the Saint from 1969, filmed in Greek, titled Saint Nektarios - The Protector of the Poor, produced by James Paris. A social drama directed by the great Grigoris Grigoriou and written by Kiki Segditsa and Antonis David, the script moves between two time periods, the modern era with flashbacks to the life of Saint Nektarios.

A Famous Greek Actor and Director Talks About His Miraculous Birth Through the Intervention of Saint Irene Chrysovalantou

On the Thursday 15 April 2021 episode of the Greek late night talk show The 2nite Show, the well-known in Greece actor and film director Renos Haralambidis talked about how his miraculous birth took place through the intervention of Saint Irene Chrysovalantou. His real first and middle name is Irenaios Chrysovalantis, which testifies to the miracle.

While his parents were Greek villagers who went to find work in Germany, they tried through various means to have a child, going to the best hospitals, and this effort lasted fourteen years. It came to the point where his mother said to his father to leave her so he can marry someone else who would be able to give him a child. He did not leave her. The truth is that she had an issue that prevented her from having a child and it was irreversible.

Greek Television Journalist Testifies To Her Miraculous Healing By Saint John the Russian

 

 

According to her Instagram account, Anthi Voulgari is a Greek Journalist, Television Host, Radio Producer and a Health, Fitness and Lifestyle Blogger. In September 2017 she underwent brain surgery to remove a benign tumor. The journalist did not lose her courage and optimism for a moment and the surgery was a success. Then on May 27th 2018 she wrote the following message on Instagram that shocked her fans in Greece and the Greek media in general. She wrote:

The Official Trailer for the Upcoming Film about St. Nektarios - "Man of God"

 

 

The popularity of Nektarios Kephalas, Metropolitan of Pentapolis, provokes the jealousy of the clergy in Alexandria.

Fearing that he would become the next Patriarch of Egypt, the clergy slander him and as a result they deprive him of his hierarchical status and exile him from Egypt.

In Athens now, thanks to his advanced education, he becomes famous and loved by the people and at the same time indulges in great literary work.

But the workload overwhelms him and he decides to retire to Aegina.

Saint Joseph the Hesychast and the "Devil's Box"

 

 

 

By Elder Ephraim of Arizona

When they brought the radio to Mount Athos, the older monks, who had been cut off from the world for decades, were amazed. When some of the simpler monks saw that everyone was fascinated by it, they exclaimed:

"It is the Devil's box!"

The others tried to explain it:

"No it is not. It's just a modern invention."

Television Series on the Life of Saint Paisios the Athonite Begins Filming

 

Press Release of the Municipality of Konitsa

 

Last week shooting began for the TV series about the life of Saint Paisios, who lived most of his life in Konitsa and was a monastic in the Holy Monastery of Panagia Stomiou.

This is a large production of the company GREEN OLIVE FILMS. The shootings are taking place in various locations of our Municipality, utilizing and promoting the incomparable natural beauty of the place, with leading Greek actors and with the participation of several of our fellow residents.

The Confession of Aliki Vougiouklaki at the Monastery of Saint Ephraim of Nea Makri

Aliki Vougiouklaki was one of the most popular actresses in Greece, and was given the title of the National Star of Greece. She died on 23 July 1996 at the age of 62, just three months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer while touring in Thessaloniki for a performance of "The Sound of Music". Her funeral was held in the Athens Cathedral on 25 July 1996 and she was buried in the First Cemetery of Athens.

A month before her death, in June of 1996, Vougiouklaki visited the Monastery of Saint Ephraim in Nea Makri. Archimandrite Philotheos Theodoropoulos, who was present during this visit, revealed the emotional conversation that Aliki Vougiouklaki had with the abbess Makaria at the monastery she founded and to whom Saint Ephraim wondrously revealed his martyrdom and the location of his relics:

Jonathan Jackson Dedicates an Album of Songs to Saint Joseph the Hesychast

Great Hours is the title of the album of songs dedicated to the memory of the great ascetic of Mount Athos, Saint Joseph the Hesychast, for the spiritual support he has offered to the world over time.

The song that follows this update, titled "A Prayer for All", comes from Mount Athos and is a prayer to our Creator, a poetic discourse on the Divine love of the Saint. It symbolizes the unity and need we all have now, in this painful ordeal for mankind to pray to God.

Documentary Trailer: "Philothei the Athenian: The Revolution of a Woman" (2019)

A dramatized historical documentary on the life and revolutionary activity of Philothei, a woman who dared to defy the authority of Suleiman the Magnificent. She freed men and women from the slave markets and provided refuge for women abused and pregnant. She created the first school for women in Europe and founded a hospital. Her revolutionary activity riled the conqueror and the establishment: she was tortured and killed in 1589.

Movie: "The Horde" (2012)

The Horde is a 2012 historical film directed by Andrei Proshkin and written by Yuri Arabov. The film is a highly fictionalized narrative of how Saint Alexis, Metropolitan of Moscow, healed Taidula Khatun, the mother of the Golden Horde khan Jani Beg, from blindness.

Most of the dialogues in The Horde are in the Karachay-Balkar language (with Russian overdub in the theatrical release). Filmmakers considered Karachay-Balkar as the living language most closely resembling Kipchak spoken by the 14th century Golden Horde. Nevertheless, none of the actors of Turkic extraction are native speakers of the language; Dakayarov, Lovov, and Yegorov are Yakuts, whereas Hairullina is Volga Tatar.

Saint Cecilia, Patron of Musicians

St. Cecilia by Spyridoula Degaiti

Saint Cecilia was an early Christian martyr of the third century born to a wealthy family of Rome. She vowed her virginity to Christ, but her parents arranged for her to be married. Her betrothed was a pagan named Valerian, and she worried over how to convince him to be baptized so she can preserve her virginity. On the day of her wedding, therefore, we are informed of the following from her sixth century Acts:

The Stag of Saint Eustathios Plakidas and Popular Fantasy Literature

The Hunting of the White Stag

A Christ symbol that is closely related to the unicorn is the stag, whose earliest representation in Christian art can be found in the Roman catacombs and in baptismal font designs and basilica altar mosaics of subsequent periods. It appeared as a Christ symbol in bestiaries, stories of the lives of the saints, and in medieval romances, such as the Queste del Saint Graal, where the stag served as a guide toward the object of the quest, the Holy Grail.

The stag appeared as a symbol of Christ in the story of St. Eustace [Eustathios]. This saint, like C. S. Lewis’s fictional character Eustace Scrubb in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, experienced a miraculous conversion.