This holy Father Nectarios was born Anastasios Kephalas in October of 1846, in Selevria of Thrace.
Because of the poverty of his parents, at the age of 14 Anastasios went to Constantinople to find work for their financial assistance. He did not hav…
This holy Father Nectarios was born Anastasios Kephalas in October of 1846, in Selevria of Thrace.
Because of the poverty of his parents, at the age of 14 Anastasios went to Constantinople to find work for their financial assistance. He did not have the fare for the boat but, he approached a boat which was ready to sail and asked the captain to take him. The captain, however, seeing him so young said to him jokingly, “Take a walk, my little one, and when you come back I will take you.” The boy understood what the captain was actually telling him and began walking away sadly. The captain turned on the engines in order to sail, but, although the engines were running, the ship would not move. The captain increased the power, but to now avail. In his helplessness the captain glanced up and his eyes met the gaze of the boy who was standing in sorrow on the shore. Against his will he was moved, and relenting, he told the boy to get on the boat. Anastasios jumped into the boat and the captain became engrossed in getting the boat to move, but, he did not get the chance as the boat began to move immediately, since it had received its “Chosen Passenger.”
Icon depicting his journey to Constantinople
In Constantinople Anastasios found work with a tobacco merchant who did not pay him as he should, therefore, he went about barefoot and in ragged clothes. But he had so much faith in God, and prayer was his only consolation. When he saw that his employer wrote and received many letters, Anastasios with his childlike mind and guileless heart, wanted to write a letter also, for he had much to say. But to whom would he write? He hadn’t any acquaintances, and he could not write to his mother because mail was not taken to the small village. And yet he felt the need to write. He wanted to write about his grievances of work and no pay, he wanted food and clothes but, he did not have the money. He did not abandon his hope in God and so he thought of writing a letter to Christ and telling him of his needs. He took his pencil and wrote: My Little Christ, I do not have an apron or shoes. You send them to me. You know how much I love You. Anastasios. He closed the letter with confidence and wrote on the envelope: “To the Lord Jesus Christ in Heaven.” On the way to mail the letter he met the owner of a merchant shop that was across the street from his work . This man knew him well and, knowing of the boy’s innocence and diligence, had come to feel great compassion for him. He was also on his way to the post office and said, “Anastasios, where are you going?” Anastasios mumbled something holding the letter in his hand. “Give ti to me so I can mail it and you won’t have to walk all the way.” Frightened and unthinking, Anastasios gave him the letter. The merchant took the letter and put it with the letters he was going to mail, patted Anastasios on the head and told him to go back and he would take care and mail the letters safely.
