Saint Nektarios was a great Wonder-worker even while alive.
While he was still young, the Saint visited the Holy places to worship. During the voyage, however, there was a great storm in which the ship was in danger of sinking, the captain, faced with this impasse, gave orders that the lifesaving equipment be prepared for use, and "may God be our helper." If anyone were able to save himself, well enough, otherwise, the ship would sink with every man aboard.
The Saint (the little Anastasios Kephalas, then) looked at the sea, heard the captain and his despairing commands, and his eyes filled with tears, seeing that truly there was no way out. Then, at a moment when even the last hope of salvation had been lost and all were awaiting the captain's command to abandon ship, the little one spontaneously went up next to the captain, and taking hold of the ship's helm crying and looking to heaven, he prayed, saying, "My God, I do not want to die, I want to preach You. Why do You permit this?" He repeated these words many times. Then he let go of the helm, took out the Cross he wore, which his grandmother had given him, and which contained a piece of the Venerable Cross, tied it to his belt, and went to the side of the ship and dipped it into the water, commanding the sea, as the Lord did, with the words: "Silence! Be still." He repeated this thrice, whereupon, O Thy wonders, Christ God!, after the third immersion and exhortation, the wind ceased and great calm followed to the amazement of all. Having, therefore, glorified God, they continued the voyage with great joy -- except for the little wonderworker, Anastasios, who was saddened even unto death. For the Venerable Cross, which had been a gift of his grandmother, had fallen into the sea.
As they sailed on, there were heard disturbing knocking sounds below the ship's water line. The captain sent some sailors to investigate the cause, but they returned having found nothing. Finally they reached harbor and all began disembarking, the little wonderworker, Anastasios Kephalas, among them. At that moment, however, when the passengers were leaving, knocking sounds were heard once more in the hold of the ship. The captain again ordered a search to find out what was knocking. He also gave command that they take a small boat and examine the hull of the ship. Upon examining the hull of the ship, one sailor discovered that at the place from whence the knocking was heard there was stuck the lost Venerable Cross of little Anastasios.
One can imagine what took place then. The sailor immediately reported his finding, and the captain began calling to the little Anastasios, who had already disembarked from the ship and had gone some way. He shouted to him, "Kephalas, Kephalas! Turn back. Come here!" and waved to him with his hand. The little Anastasios returned and received "his Treasure," and henceforth he wore it always. This Cross is most conspicuous in the picture where the Saint is seen wearing his monastic skoufa.
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In 1904, our Saint founded a monastery for women in Aegina, the Holy Trinity Convent. Under his guidance the Convent flourished. In 1908, the Blessed Nektarios, at the age of 62, retired from the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School and withdrew to Holy Trinity Convent in Aegina. There, for the rest of his life as a true monk and ascetic. He served as a confessor and spiritual guide to the nuns and even priests from as far as Athens and Piraeus. His Holy and pious life shone forth like a guiding light to all near him. Many would come to him for healing. Saint Nektarios was a great Wonder-worker even while alive
On September 20, 1920 one of the nuns took him to the local hospital, in spite of his protest. He was convulsing in pain from a long-standing ailment. He was admitted, and placed into a ward reserved for the poor and unwanted. There he stayed for two months among the sick and dying. At 10:30 in the evening of November 8th, although in the midst of terrible pains, in peace and at prayer he gave up his spirit unto God at the age of 74.
As soon as the Saint gave up his Spirit, a nurse came to prepare him for transfer to Aegina for burial. As the nurse removed the Saints sweater, she inadvertently placed it on the next bed, on which a paralytic lay. And O, strange wonder!, the paralytic immediately began to regain his strength and arose from his bed healthy, and glorifying God.
Some time after his repose, strangely a beautiful fragrance was emitted by his Holy body, filling the room. Many came to venerate his Holy relics prior to his burial. With amazement, people noted a fragrant fluid that drenched his hair and beard. Even after 5 months, when the nuns of the convent opened the Saints grave to build a marble tomb, they found the Saint intact in every respect and emitted a wonderful and heavenly fragrance. Similarly three years later, the Holy Relics were still whole and radiating the same heavenly fragrance.
Many people had regarded Nektarios as a Saint whilst he was still alive, because of his purity of life, his virtues, the nature of his publications, his gift of foreknowledge and the miracles he performed. The recognition of him as a Saint spread rapidly after his repose. God confirmed the Sanctity of Nektarios at his repose and by the miracles attributed to the Saint after his repose. The Orthodox Church proclaimed him as a Saint on April 20, 1961. His Blessed memory is celebrated by the Church on November 9th.
Apolytikon of St. Nektarios"Offspring of Silyvria and the guardian of Aegina,
the true friend of virtue who hath appeared in the last years,
Nektarios, we faithful honour thee as the Godly servant of Christ,
for you pour forth healing on everyone who piously cries out:
Glory to Christ Who hath glorified thee,
Glory to Him Who hath magnified thee,
Glory to Him who through thee workest healings to all".
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