Savvas the Confessor of Little St Anne

Saint Savvas the Confessor of Little St Anne (1821-1908), a venerable monk, was a hieromonk on the Holy Mountain, known for the gift of counsel and prophecy. He lived with his elder, Father Hilarion the Georgian, at the kellia of the Apostle James, near the Dionysiou Monastery. Hilarion was an ascetic from Georgia who on the Holy Mountain lived at Iviron, Dionysiou and in the wilderness, watered the rocks with tears and reposed in 1864. After his death, Savvas moved to the Dionysiou Monastery and was known for his spiritual gifts. Desiring quiet, he settled in the Kellia of the Resurrection, near the Little Skete of Saint Anne. Soon five more disciples gathered around him.

Every day he served the Divine Liturgy, then received many for confession, above all in Great Lent. His forbearance, generosity, and the ability to reconcile, console and set right, together with the holiness of his life, made him an incomparable confessor. He knew when to be lenient and when strict. He was especially strict in matters of the priesthood. He had power over demons and helped many who were possessed or deluded. In 1889 he visited the Holy Land, and at the Monastery of Saint Sabbas he heard the confession of all the monks. In Great Lent of 1908 he grew very weak. On 4 April 1908, the Friday of the sixth week, he served his last Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, partook of communion, blessed his disciples and a few hours later fell asleep in the Lord. He is honoured by the faithful, without synodal canonization.