Hierotheus the New

Holy Venerable Hierotheus the New (Hierotheus the Iberian) was born in 1686 in Greece. Desiring to grasp divine wisdom both in the sciences and in the monastic life, the pious youth, endowed with great gifts and diligence, studied Latin and Greek philosophy. After his parents' death, intending to continue his education, Saint Hierotheus first visited the Holy Mountain of Athos, famous for its many learned men. At first he was the disciple of a hermit at the cell of Saint Artemius (commemorated on 20 October), then entered the brotherhood of the Iviron monastery, where he received monastic tonsure. Soon, on monastery business, he came to Constantinople, and from there to Wallachia, where the Lord showed him to continue his interrupted studies. Studying under a Cypriot, Mark, Saint Hierotheus won by his good character the favour of Metropolitan Auxentius of Sofia and was ordained deacon. Completing his studies at Venice, he returned to the Holy Mountain. He settled near the Iviron monastery, in the desert of Hagi. According to the testimony of contemporaries, he led a very severe hermit's life; through unceasing prayer of Jesus he gained high love for his neighbour and joy-⁠bringing sorrow. At the request of the hegumen of Iviron, he received priestly ordination from Metropolitan Jacob of Neocaesarea, who lived there in retirement.

At the request of the inhabitants of the island of Skopelos, left without priests, the self-⁠sacrificing ascetic broke his solitude and for eight years served the Divine service among them, together with his Athonite disciples, the hieromonk Meletius and the monks Joasaph and Symeon, and preached much. Foreseeing his approaching end, Venerable Hierotheus withdrew with three disciples to the island of Gyaros, where criminals were usually sent into lifelong exile. There, after a short illness, he passed to the Lord in 1745. The disciples buried him on the island, and after three years his venerable head was moved to the Iviron monastery. Through his prayers many sick and those seized by carnal passions were healed.

He is commemorated on 4 July (new style, a movable day), in the Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of Athos.