Hilarion of Dionysiou (d. 1933)

Hilarion of Dionysiou (d. 1933), with the secular name John Batlis, was born in 1860 on the island of Skiathos in the Sporades. In the world he had a sailing ship and was a recognized captain. In 1916 he joined the strict community of Dionysiou Monastery and gave up all his property, which was 120 pounds. He was given the obedience of boatman and keeper of the arsenal. He never wished to taste anything but the food of the refectory. The fish he left for others. He had fully mastered, as Saint John of the Ladder puts it, the insatiable mistress, the belly. He was tonsured a monk in 1918.

Monk Lazarus, his fellow brother, writes that he was distinguished by strictness of morals and exactness of the monastic rule. No one ever saw him angry or laughing loudly, but always thoughtful, attentive, sober, truthful and faithful. He kept obedience without reply until death. For this he was recognized by all the brothers as virtuous and enjoyed a good name. His end was blessed. On the morning of Great Thursday he was brought on a bed from the arsenal to the monastery, received Holy Unction, communed, lay down on his bed and, without anyone noticing, since there was another brother in the infirmary room, paid the common debt and reposed in peace and calm of soul and body. He was buried the next day, Great Friday. He reposed in the Lord on 31 March 1933. He is venerated by the faithful, without synodal canonization.