St. Iakavos of Evia, Patron Saint of our Holy Metropolis

Saint Iakovos (Tsalikis) of Evia (1920-1991) was a revered modern-day Greek Orthodox ascetic and elder, canonized in 2017. As the longtime Abbot of the Monastery of Saint David in Evia, he was known for his profound humility, spiritual gifts, and unwavering faith. His feast day is November 22nd.
Key Details About Saint Iakovos of Evia
Life and Background: Born on November 5, 1920, in Asia Minor, he moved to Greece as a refugee child. Despite facing poverty and limited formal schooling, he was known for his deep love for the Church and memorized the Divine Liturgy by age seven.
Monasticism: He entered the Monastery of Saint David the Elder in Evia in 1951, becoming a monk, deacon, and priest in 1952. In 1975, he became the monastery’s abbot.
Spiritual Legacy: He was renowned for his spiritual guidance, confessions, and, according to accounts, the ability to see visions of saints, including St. Paraskevi and St. David of Evia. He lived a life of extreme asceticism and constant prayer.
Veneration: He fell asleep in the Lord on November 21, 1991. His official feast day is November 22nd.
Patronage: He is recognized as a modern-day saint and was proclaimed the patron saint of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey in 2024.
The Monastery of Saint David in Evia, where he served, remains a major site of pilgrimage in Greece.