Neophytos of Vatopedi

Venerable Neophytos of Vatopedi (Athos), a prosmonarios, was sacristan in the Vatopedi monastery on Athos. Once, gravely ill, he prayed ardently to the Most Holy Mother of God for healing and heard a voice from the icon of the Mother of God: "A year of life is given you, to prepare for death." Wondrously healed, Neophytos increased his monastic struggles, preparing himself for departure from earthly life. After a year, on a Sunday, as he was preparing to receive the Holy Mysteries of Christ, he again heard the voice from the icon of the Mother of God that the time of his end had come, and after receiving the Holy Mysteries he reposed in peace to the Lord. He is commemorated on 4 July, a movable day, with the Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of Athos, in the new style.