Chios

The years as a Monk

School years
His early years were spent at the local school in Silivria.When he was old enough to finish this school he faced a major dilema.There was no where else he could further his education in Silivria.This problem, aligned to the fact that he had no money to continue his studies elsewhere, caused the young Anastasi a lot of grief.He had a thirst for knowledge and a love of God which drove him on. He wanted to become a theologian.He wanted to educate himself so that he could love the Lord more, and as such, serve him better.
With his parents blessing he set off for Constantinople to achieve his dreams.

The ship was now in open sea and a  the crew were conducting a ticket inspection.Anastasi was terrified. He realised he had no ticket and no money to pay for one.What should he do? The captain who knew his secretwas not about. I will tell the truth, he thought to himself.When asked for his ticket he said ,"I am poor. I have no money .I have left my poor parents to seek work, so that I can help them."

He was so embarrassed that his cheeks glowed red.The sailors believed him. Other passengers heard his story and went to his aid. They listened to his life story, his problems.
One man in particular, a cousin of a very rich man, John Horemis was particularly impressed.

The next day he went looking for work in Constantinople.There he found nothing but rejection and indifference. He eventually found employment in a factory, but being a young boy, his wages were very poor.He was virtually barefoot. His only comfort was the Lord and his prayers.He watched his employer send letters daily to many people. Sometimes he went to the post office himself to send them off.

Anastasi wanted to also write.He wanted to write a lot, but to whom?He had no relatives in Constantinople. He could not write to his mother as there was no communication with small villages.He wanted to tell someone of his problems. How he slaved for no money. How he wanted to eat and clothe himself, but he did not have enough.He never lost his faith though. One day he decided to write a letter to the Lord.
He wrote away:
"Dear LORD. Please send me an apron, and some shoes. You know how much I love you".

He sealed the envelope and addressed it to "The Lord Jesus in heaven".
He set off to post his letter.
Just by chance, he was seen by the owner of a nearby business. This man liked Anastasi and admired his spirit and his dedication. He was also going to post a letter.
He told the young Anastasi that he would also post his letter for him. Anastasi gave him the letter. The man put it in his pocket and they parted company.

The mans curiosity was aroused as he was about to post the letter when he saw the address on it.He opened it and read it.His eyes filled with tears.Immediately he filled the envelope with money and sent it back to Anastasi along with a letter containing fatherly advice as to how the money should be wisely spent.

Anastasi was overjoyed at the Lords immediate reply.The next day he set off to buy clothes and food.His employer, on seeing his new clothes, was furious. He suspected that the boy had been stealing. He beat him badly, screaming at him and fired him immediately.The boys claim that the money had been sent by the Lord did not wash with his employer.
The businessman who had sent the money saw what was going on and called Anastasi's employer and explained the whole story to him,thus saving the boy from the sack. Anastasi continued to work hard,working by day and studying by night.He studied the saints and wrote about their lives on bits of cigarette papers obtained from the factory where he worked, as he had no money for paper.

Home