JANUARY 3 (Translation of Relics) -
The Saint was born on September 14, 1384, in Trikala, Thessaly, on the banks of the Lithaios River, near the Holy Church of Saint Stephen, where he was baptized. He was named Konstantinos and his family surname was Morphis.
He escaped the child levy (paidomazoma) and was able to go to Attica to the Mountain of the Immaculate (Amomon), to the then-flourishing male Holy Monastery of the Annunciation, where he was tonsured a monk and later ordained a hierodeacon and hieromonk.
In 1416, the Ottomans occupied Attica and in 1424 they plundered the Holy Monastery of the Amomon for the first time. In 1425 they plundered it for a second time and it was then that they captured Saint Ephraim. In 1426, on May 5, after indescribable torture lasting many months, they killed Saint Ephraim the Wonderworker and Great Martyr through horrific torments. We celebrate the memory of Saint Ephraim on May 5.
His Holy Relics were discovered in a miraculous way by the blessed and most holy Abbess, Nun Makaria. We celebrate the Translation of his Relics on January 3.
©copyright Potamitis Publishing
Printed in Thessaloniki, by Orthodox families.
*For orders under 40 pieces, we can include only a complimentary small cookie (dairy or Lenten) as a treat, and for over 40 pieces, complimentary sugared almonds (koufeta) [Hatzigiannaki], 5 crispies or 3 Lenten sugared almonds per favor.