Kallinikos the Athonite

Kallinikos the Athonite was born on Corfu and came as a young man to the Holy Mountain. He lived for a time in the cell of the Holy Apostles-⁠Alypios at Karyes and then at Saint Paul's Monastery, and thus received strength for the struggle of a whole life. He returned to his homeland and was ordained priest. As abbot of the monastery of the Most Holy Theotokos Platytera on Corfu (1953-1961), Archimandrite Kallinikos Metallinos, a discerning confessor, helped many poor youths and village people threatened by heretics. His preaching and charity never let him forget that he was first of all a monk. He regarded bodily illness as health of the soul and a source of humility. His cell was humble and dear, for there he quietly gave himself to the great joy of prayer.

Though abbot, he never wore a pectoral cross or kalimavkion. He celebrated the Liturgy daily without interruption for twenty-⁠five years, as long as his strength and health allowed. He loved the services: on Great Thursday he performed three services of the Passion, as also on Great Friday, in different churches. After the occupation, in great misery, he secretly and alone distributed food after midnight to the homes of the poor, leaving it at their doors. He had one undergarment, in which he slept; when he washed it, he wrapped himself in his cassock until it dried. He never used blankets and in winter covered himself with his coat. Diabetes seriously damaged his feet. He bore in silence and prayer the slanders aimed at his love of neighbour. Asked which university he had finished, he answered: "The university of hunger." He was one of the most brilliant figures of recent Corfiot monasticism.

He reposed calmly and blessedly on 23 February 1961 and was buried beside the church of his monastery. He is venerated by the faithful, without synodal canonization.