In the past, a difficult obedience in the desert of Mount Athos was to carry a load on one's shoulders, moreover, on bad and steep roads. And in this, Father Procopius left a memory of himself as a true and hardworking ascetic, who remained so until his very old age. Thanks to the integrity of his character and good will in following the patristic tradition, which he had from the beginning, he soon felt grace and became a good example of the life of an Athonite desert monk.

For some time he was tormented by thoughts of leaving Elder Nicephorus, for he had a really difficult character, sometimes simply unbearable. Father Procopius went in the direction of the skete of St. Anna,22 but soon returned thanks to the admonition of his elder. Once, when the battle became very strong and thoughts of leaving the elder began to prevail, he told Father Ephraim about this, and he advised him to go to the New Skete23 and venerate the grave of Elder Joseph in order to receive an answer. Father Procopius listened to the advice. As soon as he bowed down and prayed, asking for Divine help, he immediately felt a fragrance and thoughts of leaving retreated forever.

From the great labors and because of the excessive weight of the loads that Father Procopius carried constantly, he developed a hernia, and a bilateral hernia. He tried in every way to find relief for himself, but he could not. Father Ephraim heated the bricks and tried to bring him comfort and consolation, but this did not solve the problem. One elder, having come to their cell,24 persuaded Father Procopius to agree to the operation, assured him that he would recover completely, saying that he himself had the same ailment, but after the operation he no longer experienced any pain.

With the blessing of the brotherhood, Father Procopius began to prepare for a trip to Piraeus,25 where he had relatives. Father Ephraim prayed incessantly for the elderly monk, because he had not left the Holy Mountain for about forty years and was completely incapable of traveling the world alone. Intensifying his prayer for the departing Procopius, Father Ephraim saw his entire trip as if on television: when he sailed from Daphne,26 when he arrived in Piraeus, when he was admitted to the hospital. On the day of the operation, he persuaded Father Nikephoros to perform the Anointing of the Sick on Father Procopius27, because he was in great pain. They wrote down the dates. When Father Procopius returned a month later, they were convinced that events had developed exactly as Father Ephraim had been informed about it.

"When I arrived in Piraeus," said Father Procopius, "I was confused. I look right and left and don't know where to go. Suddenly, two young men who looked alike appeared and, taking my things and telling me that their name was Theodora, escorted me. When they brought me to the house at the address I had given them, they showed me the door, put my things down, and said goodbye to me. I turned around to thank them, but they were gone, and I never saw them again. These were St. Theodore, whom Father Ephraim sent to me in his place by his prayer, so that they would accompany me.

Fr. Prokopy reposed in 1968 after a short illness in old age, leaving us an example of diligence and obedience.

With Elder Nicephorus

Elder Nicephorus, in the world Christos Rupakas, was a native of Piri, a suburb of Thebes. In 1910, having met his fellow countryman Elder Ephraim, he came to the Holy Mountain. At that time, in the wilderness, the ability to craftsmanship, which was necessary for earning a livelihood, was valued, and the novice Christ possessed these abilities. In addition, he was a good psalm,28 zealous for church services, as Father Ephraim told us. In 1924, Father Nikifor was ordained to the priesthood.

Father Ephraim told us in detail about incidents from his life dating back to the time when he was a novice and a novice of his elder. He himself was amazed at the many instances of the intercession of grace, which consoled him, despite his inexperience.

On the descent to the hesychastiry of St. Ephraim the Syrian on Katunaki In the first steps of monastic life, he was helped by reading the books of the Holy Fathers. His elders, and especially Elder Ephraim, were extremely harsh and angry, and due to their illiteracy could not give him proper guidance.

At first, Father Ephraim had many difficulties, because he could not cope with obediences, needlework, and work. For all the work performed by him, the elders recognized him as unfit. But what did a young man of twenty who had recently graduated from the gymnasium know about needlework?

"Well, why have you come here," they said to him, "if you can't do anything?" The blessed one answered: "Bless, elder, by your prayers I will learn."

And indeed, Father Ephraim, who was unaccustomed to such work, learned because he was very capable. "God enlightened me, and I stayed with the elders and endured," he said.