Gerontissa Macrina of Odigitria Monastery, “the All-holy Directress,” in Portaria, Greece has gotten a lot of press since she died in 1995.  She has been recognized for her sanctity by two recently canonized saints.  According to The Blessed Makrina Project, a production company which is working on creating a documentary on her life and words, “Once, Gerontissa Makrina traveled to a monastery in Halikidi where St. Paisios was staying. When they met he and she both prostrated to each other (just like St. Mary of Egypt and St. Zosimas). . . Elder Iakovos Tsalikis – who lived in a monastery in Evia – used to say, “If I lived in Volos I would go on foot to kiss Gerontissa’s hand and get her blessing before going to work each day.” Elder Ephraim of Katounakia also loved and respected her very much. When she went to visit him at a hospital he was staying in his disciple asked him if he would receive her and he proclaimed, “Open wide the doors!” In fact, Elder Ephraim of Katounakia prayed and received confirmation (πληροφορία) from God that Gerontissa occupied a very high spiritual state like that of Blessed Elder Joseph the Hesychast.”  In fact, it was through Blessed Joseph the Hesychast’s blessing that the Gerontissa and a handful of other nuns were able to establish the Monastery of the Odigitria near Volos, Greece.

Recently two nuns from this monastery had the chance to speak to some faithful in San Francisco.  Here are some audio files of their spiritual talk.

Those who want to contribute to The Blessed Makrina Project are urged to log onto http://blessedmakrina.com/