The Monastery of Agios Nektarios is located 6 km from the centre of Aegina town. It was founded by the Bishop of Pentapolis Nektarios between 1904-1910. The area is known for its historical and spiritual importance, as the monastery is an important religious destination. Visitors can enjoy its unique architecture, venerate the sacred icons and immerse themselves in the peace and tranquillity of the place.
Saint Nektarios was born in Selyvria, Thrace (part of present-day Turkey), in October 1846. At the age of 20, he traveled to the island of Chios and entered a monastery. From there, he went to serve under Patriarch Sophronios, of Alexandria, Egypt.
Patriarch Sophronios was very fond of Nektarios, so he decided to send him to study theology at the University of Athens. After he finished his studies, the patriarch appointed him a priest and preacher in Cairo, Egypt. Soon thereafter, Nektarios was ordained Bishop and assigned in Cairo. After some lies spread around about the Bishop, Patriarch Sophronios deposed him, so Saint Nektarios left for Athens. There he became Dean of a theological school in 1894.
Bishop Nektarios’ spiritual callings were perhaps more fulfilled when he started a convent for nuns on Aegina where he founded the Convent of the Holy Trinity. It was here at his convent that Nektarios would make his greatest contributions to the Orthodox Church. In 1910 Nektarios retired to the Convent of the Holy Trinity to spend his last years. People flocked to Aegina to worship with the bishop, to listen to his sermons, and to be healed from different illnesses.
St. Nektarios died on November 9, 1920 and was buried in a special chapel which he had built. People continued to flock to the Convent of the Holy Trinity, to pay their respects at the Shrine of St. Nektarios. Miracles continue to take place at his gravesite years later. The Patriarchate of Constantinople proclaimed Nektarios a Saint in 1961. St. Nektarios is considered the Patron Saint for people who have cancer, heart trouble, arthritis, epilepsy and other sicknesses.
St. Nektarios is honored and remembered annually on November 9.
