Panagia Myrovlitisa - Holy Monastery Dionisiou

The Dionysios Monastery was built in the 14th century and its founder was Saint Dionysios from Korysos in Kastoria. The construction of the monastery was a laborious process for Dionysios, as there were no financial resources and means for building. In the effort of Dionysios, a great supporter and sponsor was Alexios III Komnenos, Emperor of Trebizond, motivated also by the Metropolitan of the city Theodosios, who was a fellow brother of Dionysios. Donations to the Monastery were later continued by the Emperors Palaiologos, as well as by many leaders of Moldavia. Saint Dionysios completed the construction of the Monastery in 1380 and gave it his name.

I believe, O Lord, and I confess that thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. And I believe that this is truly thine own immaculate Body, and that this is truly thine own precious Blood.

Saint George Karslides was born in Argyroupolis, Pontos in 1901. He became an orphan very young, so it was his pious grandmother, who raised the young Athanasios (St. George's baptismal name) to have a "holy fear of God and a fervent love for the Church's divine services". The region of Pontos in Asia Minor has historically been a great seat of Orthodoxy and more recently was also the site of such spiritually important monasteries of Panagia Soumela, Peristereota and St. John Vazelonos. At the age of five Athanasios began tending his family\'s flocks, all while bearing the harsh treatment of his older brother, who made life difficult for him and for his younger sister Anna. They bore this with love, perseverance and holiness. In fact, when Anna died at a young age, light emanated from her grave. Three years later, when her remains were exhumed, her bones had the same yellow hue as the Saints of God.