Ηegumen / Abbot
Saint Hilarion accepted the yoke of monastic life from his youth, following Christ and overcoming carnal passions through abstinence. Having spent many years in solitude, he attained dispassion and a virtuous life, for which he became a presbyter and abbot of the monastery of Pelikiti, near the Hellespont. He performed numerous miracles: driving animals away from fields, stopping hail, healing the sick, and filling fishermen's nets with fish.
Saint Joseph the Hymnographer in the troparion calls him a martyr for suffering at the hands of tormentors for the veneration of icons. According to some sources, Hilarion lived during the time of Leo the Armenian, while others say during the time of Leo the Isaurian and his son Copronymus. He suffered when the commander Lachondracon attacked the monastery, overthrew the holy Mysteries, and shackled forty-two monks, subjecting them to cruel tortures and burning. It is presumed that Hilarion also suffered at that time, being the senior in rank among the monks.
