Kosmas of the Great Lavra

Kosmas of the Great Lavra was born in the village of Dresna in Eleftheroupolis, of most pious and honourable parents. He learned his first letters in his village. Very young he came to the Holy Mountain and found rest at the Great Lavra of Saint Athanasios the Athonite. He submitted to the virtuous Elder Caesarios. After the regular trial he was tonsured a monk. His elder, seeing his decorum, prudence, humility and meekness, rejoiced. Because of his fine voice he handed him over to the outstanding music teacher Father Nektarios of Prodromou (d. 1903), who made him one of the best chanters of the Holy Mountain. Following his progress and love of learning, the elder sent him to Athens to study. After the gymnasium he entered the Philosophical School of Athens. He was first cantor of the church of Saint George Karytsis.

He returned to Athos as head of the Athoniada School. He was made abbot of his monastery and sent as steward of its dependency in Adrianople. He distinguished himself as an excellent confessor, preacher, chanter and holy teacher. Metropolitan Neophytos of Adrianople, later Ecumenical Patriarch (1891-1894), wanted to raise him to bishop, but he declined. He was a man of uprightness, impartiality and truth, virtues he always had as his rule in life and which his great patriotism sealed, according to the hieromonk Christopher of Docheiariou. He adds: "Such being Abbot Kosmas of the Lavra, with a whole character, very honest, incorruptible, a lover of justice and truth, he reposed in the Lord in his monastery on 22 October 1903, of anthrax, aged 75, leaving an unforgettable memory and mourning throughout the Holy Mountain, which greatly esteemed him for these qualities and for his austere morals and truly monastic life." He is venerated by the faithful, without synodal canonization.