Book Editorial
Saints Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene of Lesvos
By Constantine Cavarnos
Modern Orthodox Saints Volume 10
I find it hard to improve on the summary found on the back of the book. It reads as follows:
"This book presents one of the most astonishing true stories ever told. It is about the life, character, message, and miracles of three Saints who suffered martyrdom by the Turks on the historic island of Lesvos in 1463, ten years after the fall of Constantinople, and began manifesting themselves in 1959 to many persons – men, women, and children. These martyrs are Raphael, Abbot of a monastery at the site called Karyes near the village of Thermi, Lesvos, his deacon Nicholas, and the twelve year old Virgin Irene, daughter of the mayor of Thermi who happened to be at the monastery with her parents when the Turks invaded it.Five hundred years after their martyrdom they began appearing to many residents of Thermi and nearby villages in dreams and visions. They revealed the cruel tortures to which they were subjected at the monastery, rendering it – in the words of St. Raphael – a "Second Golgotha". They offered guidance for the excavations there, which guidance led to important finds. And St. Raphael has been calling people to repentance, giving spiritual counsels and consolation, and curing every kind of disease.
Dr. Constantine Cavarnos’ story begins with events which took place at Karyes and Thermi earlier this century, proceeds with those which occurred during the period 1959-1962, when important finds were made at Karyes, and ends with the
present time. His story is based on actual visits which he made in 1961 and in subsequent years to Karyes, Thermi, and neighboring villages, where he interviewed the key persons to whom the Saints manifested themselves, as well as on a good number of remarkable books."As stated on page 108, there are indeed relics of these Saints at our Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Brookline, MA. These were obtained by Father Panteleimon on a visit to Greece many years ago.
This book is easy to read, particularly in the center section where the events unfold. Please consider checking it out of our library.