Venerable Hierotheus the Younger of Ivḗron, Mount Athos

According to Saint Νikόdēmos of the Holy Mountain, Saint Hierotheos was born in the year 1686 at Kalamata in the Peloponnḗsos, to wealthy and devout parents Dḗmo and Asēmina. Desiring to understand Divine wisdom as it is in the sciences and also as it is in monastic life, the pious young man showed great ability and diligence, studying the Latin and Greek languages as well as philosophy.

After the death of his parents, and wishing to continue his education, Saint Hierotheos first visited Mount Athos, which was renowned for its many instructors in the spiritual life. At first he was the disciple of a certain hermit near the cell of Saint Artemios (October 20), and then he joined the brethren of Ivḗron Monastery, where he received the monastic tonsure.

Saint Hierotheos soon journeyed to Constantinople on monastery business, and from there to Valakhia, where the Lord directed him to continue his interrupted education. After he had been taught by a certain Cypriot monk, Saint Hierotheos won the favor of Metropolitan Auxentios of Sofia because of his virtuous life, and was ordained as a deacon.

When he completed his education in Venice, Saint Hierotheos returned to the Holy Mountain. He settled near Ivḗron Monastery in the Khaga wilderness. According to the testimony of his contemporaries, he led a very strict solitary life. Through the Jesus Prayer the Saint discovered a deep love for neighbor and joyful sorrow (χαρμολύπη).¹ At the request of the Igoumen of the Ivḗron Monastery, Saint Hierotheos was ordained to the priesthood by Metropolitan James of Neocaesarea, who was living there in retirement.

Giving in to the entreaties of the inhabitants of Skopelo, who had no priest, the self-denying ascetic forsook his solitude. He performed the Divine Services and preached for eight years, along with his Athonite disciples Hieromonk Meletios and the monks Joasaph and Simeon.

Foreseeing his own impending end, Saint Hierotheos and three disciples withdrew to the island of Yura, where those who were banished for life were sent. Weakened by his strict fasting, prayerful vigils and bodily illnesses, he could hardly walk in a small field. He departed to the Lord in the year 1745, and his disciples buried him on the island. After three years, his venerable head was transferred to the Ivḗron monastery. Many sick persons and those afflicted with bodily suffering were healed by praying to the Saint.

¹ See The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 7.