Ηegumen / Abbot
Saint Hilarion the New, son of devout parents, became a monk from his youth. He initially joined the Hesychius monastery in Constantinople and later moved to the Dalmatus monastery, where he took the great-schema of monasticism and became a disciple of Saint Gregory of Dekapolis. Practicing asceticism with complete devotion and patience, he received from God the gift of authority over unclean spirits.
When the brothers of the monastery wished to appoint him abbot, Hilarion secretly left, desiring to avoid any glory. However, he was called by the authorities to fulfill his duties and thus returned to the monastery. He remained abbot for eight years. During the reign of Emperor Leo the Armenian, who initiated the iconoclastic controversy, the saint endured severe tortures and imprisonment for his faith. After many trials, he was released, though he did not return to the monastery immediately.
Among his spiritual experiences, he was granted the vision of the soul of Saint Theodore the Studite ascending to heaven, which filled him with joy and hope.
During the reign of Emperor Theophilus, who again intensified the persecutions of Christians, Saint Hilarion was arrested and tortured. Yet he did not submit. He lived in exile until the death of the emperor and the restoration of peace under Empress Theodora. He then resumed his position as abbot of the Dalmatus monastery, excelling in holiness and performing many miracles.
He lived for three more years, full of faith and devotion, before falling asleep in the Lord and attaining the joy of God’s heavenly Kingdom.
