The first volume of the series Modern Orthodox Saints was devoted to St. Cosmas Aitolos ( 1714-1779), great missionary of modern Greece, illuminator, and martyr ; the second, to St. Macarios of Corinth (1731-1805), compiler and publisher of the famous Philokalia ( 1782), reviver of Orthodox mysticism, and guardian of Sacred Tradition; the third, to St. Nicodemos the Hagiorite ( 1749-1809), great theologian and teacher of the Orthodox Church. This volume is devoted to one who, like St. Nicodemos, had St. Macarios of Corinth as a mentor: St. Nikephoros of the Island of Chios ( 1750-1821). Nikephoros was an outstanding writer of sacred poetry and lives of saints, educator, spiritual striver and trainer of martyrs. In this book, the first one in English dealing with this saint, Professor Cavarnos gives an account of Nikephoros' life, character and teaching, a comprehensive list of his publications, and selections from his prose writings and poetry. He completes the volume by appending brief biographies of eleven neomartyrs and other Orthodox saints that are treated in St. Nikephoros' works. Written with clarity and simplicity, scholarly diligence and eloquence, this book will be enjoyed by those who are interested in Orthodox Christian spirituality, as well as by persons interested in the cultural and religious history of Greece during the period of Turkish rule. The present volume will be followed by others, dealing with more recent outstanding figures: Sts. Seraphim of Sarov (1759-1833), Arsenios of Paros (1800-1877), and Nectarios of Aegina (1846-1920).
