Saint Gerontius Agiannitis Cell Commemorations
Saint Gerontius, the founder of the cell, lived in the 13th century and was originally the abbot of the ancient Voulevtirion Monastery, located on the southern coast of the Athos Peninsula. The monastery stood near the sea and was therefore frequently attacked by pirates. As a result, the monks were forced to abandon it and take refuge on the steep slopes of Mount Athos. Thus, the Skete of Saint Righteous Anne was founded, which still exists today.
Seeking greater solitude, Saint Gerontius settled with one disciple by a sheer cliff located even higher than the skete, where he built a cell with a chapel dedicated to Great Martyr Panteleimon. When the disciple, unable to bear the hardships of fetching water, wished to return to the brethren, the holy elder urged him to patience and prayed to the Most Holy Theotokos. The Protectress of the Holy Mountain appeared to him in a dream and revealed a place just above their cell, in a cave, where a small spring of pure water flowed.
After this miracle, the elder’s disciple decided to plant a garden, using the spring water to grow vegetables. At once, the spring ceased to flow. Saint Gerontius understood that the water had been granted to them only for drinking, not for tending to earthly labors or being distracted from contemplative prayer. The fathers continued their search for water and eventually discovered it by digging a deep well about 50 meters below their cell. For many centuries since, the inhabitants of the cell have used water from this well for preparing their food.
