Nestor of Grigoriou

Nestor of Grigoriou was born in 1886 at Andritsaina in Olympia in the Peloponnese. Left fatherless in childhood, he learned the trade of a shoemaker, which he later used in the monastery. Obstacles, temptations and difficulties could not keep him in the world. In 1907, like a thirsty deer, he came to the Athonite springs. He entered Gregoriou Monastery, enrolled as a novice and served zealously wherever he was told. His love for the brothers, his obedience and his industry made him dear and respected by all. As steward of the monastery's dependency of Voultsista in Pieria, especially during the Occupation, he helped the monastery greatly with food, and the workers there and the many poor, hungry and needy who came by for alms. In those hard years he let no one leave hungry. He hoped steadfastly in the help of the Mother of God. Even when the wheat had dwindled and would not suffice, perhaps even for themselves, he did not cease giving alms. The Mother of God enlightened him and managed everything.

He continued the merciful habit of his heart, loving God and man, in the equally hard years of the guerrilla war. He saved many as a good Samaritan, irrespective of their conviction and situation. He saw all as icons of God. He did not tolerate injustice and, at risk of his life, defended those unjustly persecuted. He managed in countless ways that the fathers of his monastery should not be without the supplies necessary for their upkeep. By his intercession he saved prisoners from the firing squad. He rejoiced to help. He was not afraid always to support what is just. Those helped in various ways after the end of the civil war did not spare praise for their protector, benefactor and saviour, Elder Nestor, whom they called the good Samaritan. In 1948 he returned to his monastery. The monk Andrew of Gregoriou (d. 1988), who worked with him at the dependency, writes of him: "He served repeatedly as first steward of the monastery and representative in the Holy Community of the Holy Mountain. In the last years he was typikarios. He was never absent from services and liturgies. He was a peaceful and enlightened man and with the sharpness of his mind foresaw everything. After an illness of twenty days and Communion of the Holy Mysteries, he died in the monastery's hospital on 30 November 1965, aged 79. May his memory be eternal." He is venerated by the faithful, without synodal canonization.