Theocharis

Venerable Theocharis of Arta, an ascetic of the nineteenth century, was born around 1760 in Arta in Epirus and fell asleep on Great Friday of the year 1828. His brother Apostolos, who died in 1845, was also venerable. The two are commemorated together on the Wednesday of Bright Week.

Family and youth

Theocharis and Apostolos were the children of the priest George Duias, who served at the church of Saint Sophia in Arta, and of the priest's wife Photini; their third son was Constantine. The parents brought them up "in the training and admonition of the Lord" and saw to it that they had the best schooling in the city. Theocharis, the eldest, studied at the famous school of Manolakis Kastorianos, where Demetrios Oikonomopoulos Vendramis taught. He did not only learn, but encouraged his schoolmates by his life, and many of them chose the priesthood or monastic life. Their father wished to see them priests, but they answered: "Do not hurry, father, God will provide." Theocharis had already decided to follow the monastic path of struggle.

After the death of their parents, the two brothers took care of Constantine, then withdrew to a small house near the church of Saint Sophia, "renouncing the things of the world".

Their struggle

Unceasing prayer, reading of Scripture, vigils, fasting, silence and repentance were their daily life. They ate bread and water, only after sunset, and sometimes a little fruit. They gladly received food brought by merciful people, but gave it away to the needy, without touching it. Though not tonsured, they kept strictly the rule of the great-⁠schema monks. They communed once a week. Theocharis taught children until 1818 in the church of the Mother of God Kassopitra, teaching not only letters but also faith and love of country. One of his pupils was Nicholas Skoufas, a founder of the Friendly Society. The abbot Benedict, episcopal deputy of the metropolis of Arta, invited him to be his secretary, but Theocharis refused to take part in divorces, excommunications and the punishment of priests, and by his requests was released from the duty.

The brothers stayed in the city and prayed day and night during the great plagues of 1816 and 1823, and the people took courage seeing them.

Repose and veneration

Theocharis foresaw his end, called the priest to give him communion at the twelfth hour of Great Friday, and fell asleep in the year 1828. He asked to be buried at the church of the Holy Unmercenaries and that his relics never be taken up. At his funeral miracles took place: the four candles of the bier, though extinguished, were lit, and an ineffable fragrance filled the church. In 1866 the abbot Cornelius found under a slab his head, giving off fragrance, and covered it again, respecting the saint's wish.

Apostolos lived seventeen years more in the same holy way, helping those in need. He fell asleep in 1845 and was buried at Saint Sophia. Three days after his death, women who came to the grave saw a wonderful flower with an ineffable fragrance grown from the middle of it. The people of Arta have honoured them as saints since the day of their repose, and today their memory is kept above all at Saint Sophia in Arta, on the Sunday of the Myrrhbearers.