Theophylaktos of New Skete

Saint Theophylaktos of New Skete, a venerable monk, was born in the village of Rethi in Corinthia, with the name Theophanes Pangalos, to pious parents with many children, rich in spiritual and material goods. In his youth he read the works of Saint Nikodemos the Hagiorite and visited monasteries and churches. In 1925 he came to the Holy Mountain, in obedience to the elder Ioakeim (died 1943) of the Cell of the Holy Unmercenaries in the New Skete, and was tonsured a monk in 1926. He struggled with fasting, vigil, hardship, lack of possessions, obedience, patience, prayer and humility. He bore the winter cold without heating. He was a disciple of Joseph the Hesychast (died 1959) and a worker of the prayer of the mind. He said: "The prayer comes by itself in me, I make no effort, I say it without force."

He had great devotion to the Holy Unmercenaries, the protectors of his cell, whom he called "golden lads". Once, in a temptation of discouragement, he saw a group of people of different ages coming towards his cell, chanting their troparion; Saint Panteleimon walked in front, young, fair-⁠haired and majestic, with a medal of medicine on his chest. They climbed to the upper church, chanted and left, leaving him their blessing and much consolation. When he was gravely ill, they told him from the icon: "We heal you, if you wish, but it is not good for you." At the end he went blind, but the eyes of his soul were enlightened. He fell asleep in the Lord on 28 July 1986. He is honoured by the faithful, without synodal canonization.