![]() ![]() The thing that he loved most about this work were all the calls he would get from clergy, from directors and friends, even from church secretaries, anytime and especially as they came to the last pages of the Guidebook, needing help with ordering or having a question about some entry. He was always so grateful to Frank Desby in whose footsteps he followed in preparing the Guidebook, and he performed all the tasks involved with the utmost care and love. Most of you knew him for his devotion to bringing you the Liturgical Guidebook each year, for 44 years in fact. All these make his loss feel even more devastating. What can we say about Peter? Devout Orthodox brother, a man with strong family values and love, proud Archon, kind and caring friend, devoted church musician, willing servant. We have to believe God just wanted him home. It was an unexpected passing, with no readily ascertainable reasons, early this Thursday morning (May 7 th), one which so many of us never expected and can hardly fathom. ![]() His body is also displayed by the church during liturgy at the monastery on many occasions.It is with profound sadness and loss that I share with you the falling asleep of our dear Peter Vatsures. During the feasts of Saint Gerasimos – August 16th and 20 October ( translation of relics) – his body is passed over ill and sick persons for the purpose of healing them. In 1953, immediately after a powerful earthquake on the island of Kefalonia destroyed 90% of the island, there were many claimed sightings of Saint Gerasimos throughout the island who is believed to have comforted and tended to the injured trapped inside homes and buildings. Kefalonians throughout the world still revere and pray to him. After his death, his body was buried twice and exhumed intact, thus leading the church to ordain him as a saint. The body of Saint Gerasimos is at the monastery, made available for veneration as it has never decomposed. Many natives of the island name their children after Saint Gerasimos as a tribute to the saint who protects them. Saint Gerasimos is believed by natives of Kefalonia to protect them and to also heal them of illness. The monastery which he established cared for the poor and became a center for charity. ![]() He subsequently cultivated the area where the monastery of Saint Gerasimos now exists near Valsamata. He spent his first 5 years in a cave in the area known as Lassi. He was ordained a Monk at Mount Athos, went to Jerusalem for 12 years, spent some time in Crete and Zakynthos and in 1555 arrived on Kefalonia. ![]() Gerasimos (1506–1579) came from the aristocratic and wealthy Notaras family. Our parish which is named after Saint Gerasimos was established in New York City by Kefalonians who emigrated to New York in the early 20th century. Sharing the Gospel of Christ in the Manhattan area ![]()
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