Peter of Katounakia

Peter of Katounakia, affectionately called Petrakis, was an Athonite monk born in 1891 on Lemnos, a struggler on the borders of the Great Lavra who heard angelic chanting. He reposed on 12 June 1958 and is venerated by the faithful, without a synodal canonization.

He was tonsured at the cell of St Neilos, outside Kavsokalyvia, and lived all his life within the territory of the Great Lavra. He was almost illiterate, simple, lively and enthusiastic. Once he was exiled to Spinalonga. Then he lived in a small, poor hut in the skete of Little St Anne. He was so humble that he always bent down and made a prostration to everyone, like a shy child; small and thin, he was loved by all. He did not want many conversations, but when he spoke he said fine, comforting words. He shut himself in his cell and spoke continually with God. A faster and a keeper of vigils, with the Jesus Prayer day and night, he said simply that he heard angelic chanting so sweet that he could not stand on his feet, and that he would not trade his cell for all the palaces of the world.

St Paisios the Athonite knew him well and wished to become his disciple, but Peter himself walked for hours to tell him not to trouble himself, because he would die soon, and so it happened. Paisios said that although Peter did not spare himself and his skin clung to his bones, he waged great spiritual struggles, God's grace strengthened him, and a divine sweetness was painted on his face. Once or twice a year he made the round of the monasteries and gave away his handiwork: prayer ropes, mountain tea and brooms. He said seven hours of services on the prayer rope every day and about seven hundred great prostrations. Once he signed a possessed man with his prayer rope and the man was healed. He sincerely considered himself the greatest sinner in the world. Foreseeing his end, he prepared his burial, returned to the cell of St Neilos, and on 12 June 1958, the feast of St Peter the Athonite, he received Communion at the Liturgy, went out to prepare refreshments for the guests, sat among them, closed his eyes and gave up his soul. The fathers thought he had fallen asleep from tiredness.