Papoulakis, Saint Joachim of Vatopaidi (Part 6)

It is feasible for a person to know things and facts about the world through scientific research and comparison; but to penetrate into the heart of a spiritual person is not only unfeasible, it is impossible. Only if he himself wants it to be revealed will it become known. This mystery of the interior world of every human being is what the Lord was referring to when he said, “two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left” (Matt. 24:40). Divine Providence was now calling blessed Elder Joachim Papoulakis to enlighten and purify others as well, since he had arrived at perfection by means of the strict practical life he had lived, becoming “taught by God” (Jn. 6:45), “bringing out of his treasure things new and old” (Matt. 13:52). ”Experiencing, he was taught,” according to the patristic maxim, “having learned, he taught” whatever he had acquired through his blessed dis-cernment and insight. Illumining and sanctifying Divine Grace filled him to overflowing, particularly with the divine qualities of clairvoyance and foreknowledge, which were precisely what the circumstances required during that grievous period. One might say that he was an answer on the part of the Divine Benevolence to the supplication of the Christian people. Every supernatural intervention of Divine Grace is certainly an encouragement to the faithful, because it is a consolation in their tribulations. The prophetic characteristic, however, is even more so, because it anticipates misfortunes and increases faith, upon which the entire spiritual edifice is built. If, according to the Scriptural maxim, “each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that” (1 Cor. 7:7), then rightly the charisma of prophecy was found in abundance in this blessed luminary, which he exercised with deep humility, hidden from curious eyes, for the building of the Church and the Christian people.

As mentioned in the notes of his biographer, Papoulakis -as the people now always called him after he became publicly known- most often stayed at Vathy on Ithaki. With contributions from the faithful, he was able to marry off the two daughters of a widowed woman who most frequently gave him hospitality. He traversed Vathy and, when possible, those needy precincts in the surrounding area, teaching, consoling, and upholding the faith and Christian morals, trying never to be a burden to anyone. Whatever alms and items of assistance the faithful furnished him with, he distributed among the poor and destitute, keeping nothing for himself, by virtue of the great frugality that was his lifelong practice. The greater part of the year, he dwelt outdoors. Only during the four months of winter did he live indoors; he slept very little, keeping vigil and struggling through various methods to “discipline the body” (see 1 Cor. 9:27) As an ascetic practice, he carried about a lead plate in order to weary the flesh. During this period, God allowed him to receive criticism and ridicule from negligent men who sometimes turned against him with viciousness. These people struck him and spat upon him; the children especially joined them in hurling stones at the Saint, who patiently suffered everything, never complaining or bearing resentment towards anyone.

During his time, the Ionian Islands, including his homeland of Ithaki, were not under the Turkish yoke like the rest of our country, but were instead under English domination, supposedly being protected by the British. In reality, however, they imposed another kind of yoke, often more severe than that of the Turks. The faithful people, aware of the cun-ningness of this “civilized fox” that had assumed leadership, sought their liberation and their union with Greece. This irritated the would-be guardians, who also had on their side the local opportunistic betrayers of the homeland. At this time, Papoulakis played a very important role among his struggling compatriots, continually rousing their zeal for union. To those who had become fainthearted, he gave much courage, and foretold that soon Britain would depart and, moreover, without a war. This prophecy of the Saint was soon realized; the areas that had been severed from the fatherland for so many centuries were once again united with it. The counsel of Papoulakis, who tirelessly motivated the people toward the aspirations of the nation, was crowned with success.

After his stay at Gouva and Afentikos Longos, his biog-raphy mentions that Papoulakis lived in the cells of Saint Nicholas of Mavronas. So that he could have constant contact with his listeners, a certain thoughtful gentleman ceded him a small house in Rachi Kioniou, where the Saint resided for quite some time. This little community at that time did not have its own church, so its residents went to the services at the privately owned church of Saint Nicholas in Mavronas.

Blessed Papoulakis motivated the residents of Rachi to build their own church, and he himself undertook the super-vision of this project. The program called for the church to be dedicated to the Annunciation of the Lady Theotokos. Using every means, untiringly and with patience, he brought to completion this great work, which to this day bears witness to his fatherly affection and his industry. With his pious yearning and zeal to rouse the withered religious sentiment of the people, he even made provision for the devotional aspect of our Faith. The churches, whether large or small, were fashioned with the necessary materials, according to the circumstances and the number of people. He went about from place to place, wherever Divine Providence led him, and when he ascertained a particular need of the people, he took care to do whatever was possible, as was within his power.

While staying in the community of Stavros, he saw that there was no parish church and, consequently, that this would likely serve as a justification for the residents to neglect their duty of attending the services. Once again, he zealously took the initiative to see that a church be built there as well in order to serve the people. On the northern slopes of Mount Niritos, in the community of Stavros, there had been a little church many years ago, but only its ruins remained. According to tradition, it had been dedicated to Saint Barbara. During the many years that the chapel was deserted, a carob tree sprouted in the sanctuary and eventually took on such dimensions that there remained no visible sign of what had once been there. Following the decision to reestablish the church on this site, Papoulakis undertook the uprooting of the huge tree, as well as the preparation of the needed materials for the construction — no easy task at that time of poverty and when such means and resources were hard to acquire. With the ready support of the residents, he at first built a small church in the name of the Holy Great-Martyr Barbara. It proved, however, to be insufficient for the needs of the community; consequently, he began planning a larger church on the same spot, around the smaller church, which was demolished after the completion of the larger.

As we describe it here in writing, the project seems easy and simple; but in practice, it was arduous and laborious, particularly in the effort to acquire funds in those difficult times. Clearly, the successful completion of this great work can only be explained if you perceive the divine intervention that came about through the prayers of this holy man. He prayed day and night for this, beseeching the great-martyr and bride of Christ Barbara to palpably demonstrate her solidarity with the project, something that could hardly be doubted by anyone who saw the completion of such a great work.

The blessed founder Papoulakis was not satisfied simply with the construction of the church; he also built cells for monks, which later served as accommodations for devout pilgrims. The indefatigable Elder extended the same care to the furnishing and embellishment of the church, as well as to the rest of the necessities, which he provided for from the generous offerings of the emigrant Ithacans. He had written to all of them in order to urge them to support this cause, since it had already become the parish church of the community of Stavros.