November is a month overflowing with the commemoration of great saints, each beloved by the faithful and celebrated for centuries. We begin with Cosmas and Damianos, followed by the Archangel Michael and all the Bodiless Powers, and then St. John Chrysostom, St. Gregory Palamas, the Apostle Philip, St. Katherine, St. Mercurios, St. James the Persian, and the Apostle Andrew. To this month of illustrious feasts were added, in the 20th century, two other beloved figures: St. Nektarios, the wonderworker of Aegina, and St. Arsenios the Cappadocian, who guided his flock through great upheaval.
In the 21st century this radiant month of saints was graced with another bright star: St. Iakovos, the abbot and restorer of St. David the Elder's Monastery in Evia. Canonized in recent years, his sanctity shone throughout his life, and he has become a beloved intercessor for countless faithful. St. Iakovos was a child of Asia Minor, forced to flee his homeland, finally resting on the island of Evia, where he spent decades restoring the monastery and shepherding souls. Like all the saints, St. Iakovos is a friend and helper on our journey to unite ourselves to Christ, and his life offers us three profound lessons.
The Influence of a Godly Parent
St. Iakovos' mother, Theodora, was the earliest spiritual influence in his life. She ensured that his relationship with God was nurtured from a young age, teaching him the importance of fasting, ascesis, and, above all, prayer. Her nightly prayers left a lasting impression on little Iakovos, who would see her deep communion with God and learn from her example. This raises a challenge for those of us who are parents: Are we cultivating a life in Christ that our children can see and emulate? Do we pray with sincerity, forgive with compassion, and love without reservation in a way that sets a holy example for them to follow?
A Living Relationship with the Saints
For St. Iakovos, the saints were not distant historical figures, but living, breathing friends. St. Paraskevi, St. David the Elder, and St. John the Russian were his closest spiritual companions, to whom he turned in times of need. Their icons were not just painted images but windows to a reality where the saints stood by his side, ready to help and intercede. This is a second challenge for us: Have we cultivated a similar friendship with the saints? Do we know their stories and seek their intercessions, or are we content to admire their icons without seeking to know them as real, present companions on our spiritual journey?
Christ-like Love and Hospitality
The defining characteristic of St. Iakovos' life was his boundless love and generosity. He gave freely to those in need, confident that God would replenish what he offered. Whether it was food, money, or time, he offered everything he had to care for others, and God’s blessings multiplied so he could share even more. This legacy of love still permeates St. David's Monastery, where visitors experience a profound sense of hospitality and warmth, a testament to St. Iakovos’ spirit of giving. As we enter the holiday season, this is our third and final challenge: Can we give with sacrificial love, not just from what is easy to part with but in a way that brings a stranger into our circle, making them feel like family?
St. Iakovos' life is a vivid illustration of how humility, prayer, and love can transform not just a monastery but countless lives. May his prayers and intercessions bring us the strength to become models of the faith, speak with the saints as true friends, and show Christ-like love to everyone we meet.