Elder Damascene Komboschinos

  

The elder Damascene Komboschinos, from the Ascension Hut, of the Koutlumousian Skete of St. Panteleimon, was landless. In his cell he had only a few blankets to cover himself, his few clothes, a little food and wool to knit prayer ropes, because that was his handiwork.

Initially, he lived in the desert of Katunakia for two years with elder Isidoros. Then, he came to Koutloumoussiou and then took the Kalyvi to the Skete of St. Panteleim, where he stayed for the rest of his life. Lately, he was adopted in Koutlumoussiou, where he fell asleep and was buried.

At night he lit the lamp and kept vigil. He said the Jesus Prayer, did penances and, when sleep was fighting him, wove a prayer rope. His window was opposite the Kalyvi of the elder Paisios and the light was visible all night. Once when they met, Saint Paisios asked him: "Well, don't you sleep at all at night?" Since then, he put a cloth on his window, so that the light could not be seen and thus he hid his spiritual work.

He was an ascetic! He was constantly fasting, that is, he ate dry food once a day after three in the afternoon. His waist was very thin. He was turning his belt twice. On the fifteenth of August, he tried not to eat anything, except on the Feast of the Savior! When he was in Koutlumoussiou, he preferred to read during trapeza, so that he could restrain himself from eating, without being misunderstood. He had a mulberry tree in front of his hut. Sometimes he ate a berry and spoiled the ninth. That is why he wanted to cut it off, but Saint Paisios prevented him. In standing endurance, he was unmatched! At the feast of St. Panteleim, he entered the Church in the evening and like a pillar he stood motionless, always upright in his pew, until the morning! He didn't go out or sit at all! While doing so much exercise, he reproached himself by saying that he was a "wine father" because he drank a small glass of wine every now and then!He lived a quiet, simple and idle life. He did not cultivate a garden and rarely cooked. His hut had no water. He would go with the jug and take from the holy water of Saint Panteleimon!

He was also very gracious! From his little work, he also gave alms! He went to the old people and bought them food, shoes, clothes! He gave money to the shoemaker in Karyes and told him to make shoes and give them to anyone in need, but not to reveal to them who blesses them! Whoever went to wish him on the day of his feast, gave him 300 drachmas to eat something, because he didn't make money!

When he fell ill, he resorted to Saint Panteleimon for help. He didn't even want a doctor to omd. He was afraid of dying outside Mount Athos and said with humility: "Where do you know, blessed one, such as I am"

He also said: "Greece is the Kingdom of Christ and the Virgin Mary! If the Church is lost, Greece will be lost!"

In the Litany of Axion Esti, he carried the pedestal where the Icon rested, while he never sought to take the Icon