Nicholas

Nicholas of Docheiariou was a hieromonk of the Monastery of Docheiariou on Mount Athos, born in 1903 and reposed on 20 January 1977. He is venerated by the faithful without synodal canonization.

His worldly name was Nestor Tasoudis, son of Basil and Anastasia, from the village of Adam in Chalkidiki. He came to Docheiariou in 1920 and was tonsured a monk in 1921. He was ordained deacon on 8 November 1926, at the feast of the Holy Archangels, and priest on 8 November 1930, on the same day. He usually served with tears. He was a good chanter and copied musical manuscripts.

Two monks of St Paul, who visited Docheiariou in the summer of 1974, remember him with emotion: an old man of biblical appearance, venerable, serious and pious. After the Liturgy they went to venerate the wonderworking icon of the Mother of God Gorgoepekoos. Father Nicholas told them the story of the icon with tears and great compunction, and with difficulty tried to hide his warm, effortless tears. They left impressed and benefited.