James (Iakovos) of Karakallou

James (Iakovos) of Karakallou, with the secular name John Papageorgiou, was born in 1903 at Ptelea in Almyros near Volos. He came to Karakallou Monastery in 1929. He was tonsured a monk in 1932 by the virtuous abbot Kodratos (d. 1940). He loved his monastery and laboured much for it. He was also its superior. He was regarded as the star of the monks of the strict cenobium of Karakallou. In 1978, because of certain bitter events for which he was not at all to blame, he was forced to leave his monastery. He was hosted, cared for in old age and reposed in the neighbouring Philotheou cell of Saint Demetrius, where his fathers cared for him with brotherly love. He bore old age and illness patiently. In the end he went blind. Yet he sensed who was approaching. Often you found him with tears in his eyes. He had a good memory and liked to tell old stories of Karakallou and of the monastery's struggling monks. He wished to return to end his life in his monastery of repentance, but could not fulfil his wish. He felt deeply obliged to the monks of the cell, who served him willingly. He carefully hid his virtue. He lived ascetically and poorly. Poverty he regarded as wealth. To a young monk who asked him for advice he said: "Do not have a will, do not wish to do your own, do not demand anything. Never ask by yourself to become superior or a priest. If they make you one without your asking, it is different..."

While he had his sight he read the services also for the fathers who were at various obediences. He was a great zealot. He never went out into the world. When he fell and was badly hurt, the doctor said he must be taken out at once to hospital, because his life was in danger. He did not accept in any way. "Dig a pit and put me in it," he said. He lived two more years and the blessed one reposed in peace on 30 December 1996, at the dawn of the memory of the Martyr Gideon of Karakallou, in whose monastery he had lived so many decades. He is venerated by the faithful, without synodal canonization.