The most-holy temple of the Comforter, and the beloved of the All-Pure Theotokos, let us praise Porphyrios from our heart, for he loves and heals all, and protects, and intercedes, that we be granted theosis. Therefore, we cry out:
You lived unknown and hidden in the world, O shepherd of the Father’s sheep. And having meditated on the life Of St. John Kalyvites, with zeal you hastened, O venerable one, to imitate his life. Therefore, we cry out to you these:
You followed the steps of your Elders in asceticism, and shared their way of life. You were an ascetic of Kavsokalyvia, and showed them unquestioning obedience, Being taught humility by God, as those who venerate you chant: Alleluia.
Unspeakable knowledge was given to you by God, O Father, as a reward for your holy life. And you lead towards healings of the passions, and grant knowledge of mysteries, being shown a benefactor to men, to those that cry out thusly:
As a novice, you wrestled with Belial, and crushed him through your humility. And receiving the reward of victory, you were sent into the world as a help, O Venerable One, Shepherding and healing those who cry out in thanksgiving: Alleluia.
Bearing graces in your soul, O Father, you hastened towards your fatherland. And you lived in the Monastery of St. Charalampos, striving in asceticism and serving, O Venerable One, healing those who suffer, as they chant these with joy:
Being zealous, O godly-minded one, to bring back many to the flock of Christ to be saved, you came to Athens humbly, and serving in a church, you saved many, who take refuge in you, crying out to the Lord: Alleluia.
You came to Omonia Square to redeem all, as an angel dwelling in Babylon. And you became for the Athenians, the Physician and guide of all, O venerable one, leading many to Christ, as those who were saved cry out thus:
You worked hidden wonders for the sick, through your divine prayers, O all-blessed one. And those healings you attributed to St. Gerasimos, thus remaining humble, O venerable one. Through your humility You gave glory to Christ, crying out: Alleluia.
You were shown a breeze of fragrant myrrh, exhaled through the world, O most-venerable Father. And you gladdened the multitudes of the faithful, who embrace you with faith, and cry out with joy such things:
You loved the whole world, though you had denied all joys and ideas of the world. A true mystic in the heavens, you served all with joy, and sanctified all through your prayers, and teaching all to chant: Alleluia.
You shone upon all like the sun, O Father, and your sacred head, was visited by God, and through grace, you worked healings for those who are sick, who then chant to you:
You were shown forth as an athlete among the venerable ones, showing utter humility in asceticism and much love within. and you became the fear and wailing of demons, as you cast them out, O venerable one, as we rejoice and chant with you: Alleluia.
Your nous beheld the rays of the Comforter, as you beheld terrible and unspeakable mysteries. You searched men through these, and were truly shown a prophet, O venerable one, informing of events, as they cried out in amazement thus:
Strange things were always worked within you, astonishing the world, as your nous reached the heavens, as you drove away fearful demons through prayer, healing every incurable passion, making knowledge to be revealed to the faithful, who cry out to Christ: Alleluia.
While being totally in the world, you partook of the joyous desert of Athos. For your heart was within her, and you never left her in spirit. You therefore reposed in Kavsokalyvia, As we cry out thus:
You were made worthy to behold and to hear the Revelation on Patmos, as St. John the Theologian. And for a short time, you went into ecstasy, and beheld awesome things, O venerable one, and being filled with fear of the Lord, you cried out in gratitude: Alleluia.
Being adorned with grace of the Comforter from on high, you were shown a god-bearer to the world. And you breathed forth the fragrance of myrrh, and were seen to visit those who suffered, as you received saints. We are amazed at this, and we cry out:
Rejoice you who resurrected many towards Christ.
The frenzy of the heart, you cease with your prayer, granting us peace, O Father. You shine upon the darkness of the mind and breathe forth hymns to God, O venerable one. Therefore, out of gratitude we hymn God, crying out: Alleluia.
A perfect shepherd of men you were shown to be, and you laid down your life for them. You cut your will, and were martyred daily, O venerable one, becoming a servant to those, who now cry out to you with joy:
Hymns of thanksgiving, as ones delivered from dangers, we offer to your compassion. For you loved us as children, and always had your arms open, O venerable one, ever to cherish all, and to cover those who cry out to the Lord: Alleluia.
You appeared as light-bearing in prayer, O Father, astonishing the faithful who beheld you. For you shown with the immaterial light that lead you towards the knowledge to study unspeakable things, and to heal sicknesses of those who hymn you thusly:
You received the grace, O Father, to truly reveal springs of water from the depths of the earth. And many beheld this, as geologists were amazed, O venerable one, as the landholders rejoiced, and cried out in thanksgiving: Alleluia.
We chant joyously at the multitudes of your graces, and we hymn the All-Holy Trinity. For by [the Trinity] you were shown a man clairvoyant and pouring forth healings, enlightening mysteries, breathing forth to those who cry out:
O thrice-blessed Father, the beauty of ascetics, Porphyrios, and the protector of all, together with the angels, as we hymn Christ, grant us the tears of repentance, and entreat that we inherit Paradise, who cry out together: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
You lived unknown and hidden in the world, O shepherd of the Father’s sheep. And having meditated on the life Of St. John Kalyvites, with zeal you hastened, O venerable one, to imitate his life. Therefore, we cry out to you these:
The most-holy temple of the Comforter, and the beloved of the All-Pure Theotokos, let us praise Porphyrios from our heart, for he loves and heals all, and protects, and intercedes, that we be granted theosis. Therefore, we cry out:
He who loves little, gives little. He who loves more, gives more. And he who loves beyond measure, what has he to give? He gives himself!
Christ himself is joy. He is a joy that transforms you into a different person….Fast as much as you can, make as many prostrations as you can, attend as many vigils as you like, but be joyful. Have Christ’s joy. It is the joy that lasts forever, that brings eternal happiness. It is the joy of our Lord that gives assured serenity, serene delight and full happiness. All-joyful joy that surpasses every joy. Christ desires and delights in scattering joy, in enriching his faithful with joy. … The point is not to observe all the outward forms. The essence of the matter is for us to be with Christ; for our soul to wake up and love Christ and become holy.
Christ is life, the source of life, the source of joy, the source of the true light, everything. Whoever loves Christ and other people truly lives life. Life without Christ is death; it is hell, it is not life. That is what hell is—the absence of love. Life is Christ. Love is the life of Christ. Either you will be in life or in death. It is up to you to decide.
The Christian feels for everyone, he wants all to be saved, all to taste the Kingdom of God. That is Christianity: through love for our brother to arrive at love for God. To the extent that we desire it, to the extent that we wish it, to the extent that we are worthy, divine grace comes through our brother.
Christ is revealed in that unity between His love and ourselves: the Church. On my own I am not the Church, but together with you. All together we are the Church…The important thing is for us to enter into the Church—to unite ourselves with our fellow men, with the joys and sorrows of each and everyone, to feel that they are our own, to pray for everyone, to have care for their salvation, to forget about ourselves, to do everything for them just as Christ did for us. In the Church we become one with each unfortunate, suffering and sinful soul.
When we see that the people around us have no love for God we are distressed. But with our distress we achieve nothing at all. Nor do we achieve anything by trying to persuade them to change their ways. That’s not right either. There is a secret, however, and if we understand it, we will be able to help. The secret is our prayer and our devotion to God so that His grace may act. We, with our love, with our fervent desire for the love of God, will attract grace so that it washes over those around us and awakens them to divine love. Or rather God will send His love and will rouse them all.
Above everything is love. The thing that must concern you, my children, is love for the other person, for his soul. Whatever we do, whether is it prayer or offering advice or pointing out some error, let us do it with love. Without love prayer is of no benefit, advice is hurtful, and pointing out errors is harmful and destructive to the other person who senses whether we love him or not and reacts accordingly. Love, love, love! Love for our brother prepares us to love Christ more.