Hermolaos of the Great Lavra

Hermolaos of the Great Lavra, with the secular name Emmanuel Emmanuelides, son of Andrew and Metaxoti, from Tatsalti in Asia Minor, came to the Holy Mountain in 1916 and was tonsured a monk the next year at the Great Lavra. Bishop Chrysostom of Rodostolon writes of him: "Everyone knew him as the most guileless, kindly-⁠minded and simple in words and behaviour. I myself witnessed attempts and remarks from some who, wishing to test the slowness to anger and unsuspecting nature of his soul, openly mocked him, and sometimes teased him improperly. But he lived in his own world, sailing the seas of his goodness, outside the stirrings of ego and the spirit of contention, and very far from the influences of the passions of sorrow and cunning. Therefore, as if nothing had happened, with calm and sweetness he answered with whatever God enlightened him... He dressed in rags; he was offered the chance to replace his rags with more tolerable and dignified clothes and cassocks. Because of this appearance those who did not know him avoided him, but those who knew his virtues, the purity of his heart and the simplicity of his soul kissed his hand and asked his blessing..."

After his repose his confessor revealed that Hermolaos, despised by many, had seen in the courtyard of the Lavra the Mother of God alive, who greeted him with grace and entered the chapel of the Koukouzelissa. This was the blessed, the blessed, the most devout monk Hermolaos of the Lavra. He reposed in the Lord on 23 November 1960. He is venerated by the faithful, without synodal canonization.