By Catherine Tsounis
There is no Cephalonia without St. Gerasimos and no St. Gerasimos without Cephalonia. St. Gerasimos is alive in the 2024 generation of Cephalonian-Americans. St. Gerasimos followed the road of the martyr. The Greeks overseas keep St. Gerasimos alive in their hearts.
Remembering St. Gerasimos and their Cephalonian roots was expressed in an old fashion picnic by the Cephalonian Brotherhood of New York on July 7th, at All Saints Greek Orthodox Monastery at 1676 Middle Road, Calverton, NY. Rev. Gerasimos Ballas performed a morning church service. A picnic followed with barbecued burgers, souvlakia, and refreshments. Greek music entertained all. The leaders are the following members: Gerasimos Stephanitis, President; Diamantis Thomatos, Vice President; Spiros Kekatos, Treasurer; Evanthia Frangikatos, Secretary; Costas Vangelatos assisted by Cathy Vangelatos are Public Relations. For more information, Contact Gerasimos Stephanitis, 914 309-5233 and Fr. Gerasimos Ballas, 516 381-4376.
Rev. Ballas explained, “St. Gerasimos (1506–1579) was descended from the Byzantine noble family of Notaras, relatives of Constantine Paleologos, the last emperor of Byzantium. He was born in the village of Trikala located in the Peloponnese. When he visited Cephalonian homes, he was not allowed in, because he was a Xenos (an outsider from the Peloponnese).”
He was ordained a Monk at Mount Athos went to Jerusalem for 12 years, spent some time in Crete and Zakynthos and in 1555 arrived on Kefalonia. He spent his first 5 years in a cave in the area known as Lassi. He subsequently cultivated the area where the monastery of Saint Gerasimos now exists near Valsamata. The monastery, which he established, cared for the poor and became a center for charity. Saint Gerasimos is believed by natives of Kefalonia to protect them and to also heal them of illness. Many natives of the island name their children after Saint Gerasimos as a tribute to the saint who protects them.
The body of St. Gerasimos is preserved in a glass case at the monastery, as it has never decomposed. After his death, his body was buried twice and exhumed intact, leading the church to canonize him as a saint. Cephalonians around the world continue to revere and pray to him.
In 1953, immediately after a powerful earthquake devastated 90% of the island of Kefalonia, there were numerous sightings of St. Gerasimos throughout the island. He is believed to have comforted and tended to the injured who were trapped inside homes and buildings.
During the Feast of St. Gerasimos on August 16th, his body is passed over ill and sick persons for healing. The church also displays his body during liturgy at the monastery on various occasions. In New York City, a church named after St. Gerasimos was established by Cephalonians who emigrated in the early 20th century. Everyone left the event happy, having enjoyed the North Fork of Long Island.
References;
1 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerasimus_of_Kefalonia or www.agni.gr/kefalonia_travel_guide/Kefalonia__MONASTERIES_-_CHURCHES/Saint_Gerassimos_Monastery/index.asp and Cephalonia’s Beloved St. Gerasimos Is Celebrated – Queens Gazette
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