Nektarios the Wonderworker, Bishop of Pentapolis

Reading from the Synaxarion:

Saint Nectarius was born in Selyvria of Thrace on October 1, 1846.
After putting himself through school in Constantinople with much hard
labour, he became a monk on Chios in 1876, receiving the monastic name of
Lazarus; because of his virtue, a year later he was ordained deacon,
receiving the new name of Nectarius. Under the patronage of Patriarch
Sophronius of Alexandria, Nectarius went to Athens to study in 1882;
completing his theological studies in 1885, he went to Alexandria, where
Patriarch Sophronius ordained him priest on March 23, 1886 in the Cathedral
of Saint Sabbas, and in August of the same year, in the Church of
Saint Nicholas in Cairo, made him Archimandrite. Archimandrite
Nectarius showed much zeal both for preaching the word of God, and for the
beauty of God's house. He greatly beautified the Church of Saint
Nicholas in Cairo, and years later, when Nectarius was in Athens, Saint
Nicholas appeared to him in a dream, embracing him and telling him he was
going to exalt him very high.

On January 15, 1889, in the same Church of Saint Nicholas, Nectarius
was consecrated Metropolitan of the Pentapolis in eastern Libya,
which was under the jurisdiction of Alexandria. Although Nectarius'
swift ascent through the degrees of ecclesiastical office did not
affect his modesty and childlike innocence, it aroused the envy of
lesser men, who convinced the elderly Sophronius that Nectarius had it
in his heart to become Patriarch. Since the people loved Nectarius,
the Patriarch was troubled by the slanders. On May 3, 1890,
Sophronius relieved Metropolitan Nectarius of his duties; in July of the
same year, he commanded Nectarius to leave Egypt.

Without seeking to avenge or even to defend himself, the innocent
Metropolitan left for Athens, where he found that accusations of immorality
had arrived before him. Because his good name had been soiled, he was
unable to find a position worthy of a bishop, and in February of 1891
accepted the position of provincial preacher in Euboia; then, in 1894, he
was appointed dean of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School in Athens.
Through his eloquent sermons his unwearying labours to educate fitting
men for the priesthood, his generous alms deeds despite his own
poverty, and the holiness, meekness, and fatherly love that were manifest
in him, he became a shining light and a spiritual guide to many. At
the request of certain pious women, in 1904 he began the building of
his convent of the Holy Trinity on the island of Aegina while yet
dean of the Rizarios School; finding later that his presence there was
needed, he took up his residence on Aegina in 1908, where he spent the
last years of his life, devoting himself to the direction of his
convent and to very intense prayer; he was sometimes seen lifted above
the ground while rapt in prayer. He became the protector of all
Aegina, through his prayers delivering the island from drought, healing
the sick, and casting out demons. Here also he endured wicked
slanders with singular patience, forgiving his false accusers and not
seeking to avenge himself. Although he had already worked wonders in
life, an innumerable multitude of miracles have been wrought after his
repose in 1920 through his holy relics, which for many years remained
incorrupt. There is hardly a malady that has not been cured through his
prayers; but Saint Nectarius is especially renowned for his healings of
cancer for sufferers in all parts of the world.

Apolytikion in the First Tone
O faithful, let us honor Nectarios, divine servant of Christ,
offspring of Silivria and guardian of Aegina, who in these latter years was
manifested as the true friend of virtue. All manner of healing wells forth
for those who in piety cry out, "Glory to Christ who glorified you;
glory to Him who, through you, wrought wonders; glory to Him who,
through you, works healing for all."

Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
In joy, let our hearts praise the latest shining star of the
Orthodox, the newly erected rampart of the Church. For, glorified by the
work of the Spirit, he abundantly pours forth the grace of healing to
those who cry out, "Hail, Father Nectarios".