Saint Hieromartyr Elias was born in the village of Kalamata in Morea and was a barber. He showed concern for his fellow citizens suffering from the heavy oppression of the Turks. As a result of a joke, he renounced the Christian faith, but soon repented and withdrew to Mount Athos, where he confessed his sin and took monastic vows. After eight years of ascetic struggles, he decided to confess Christ in Kalamata, where he was recognized and captured. The saint boldly preached Christianity, for which he was imprisoned and subjected to torture. Finally, he was burned, but the fire did not harm his body, and he accepted a martyr's death. His relics were redeemed by Christians and buried with honor, while his head was placed in the Monastery of Vurkanon, where miracles occur. The saint suffered in 1686.
