The film history of the life of Saint Nectarius of Aegina is interestingly perceived if you look at this film as a historical, film-imprint of the era of the late XIX – early XX century. The man of God became, like John Chrysostom, like many other saints, a persecuted man, hated. But by whom?
First, there are the other priests who “manage” the Church. They do not like the generosity of Nectarius, and they fear that, having become a patriarch, this man will waste all his money on the beggars and Arabs. In their logic, the Church should grow richer, richer and more powerful, as if it were a political force. And then the echoes of the national attitude as a blow from the opposite side: “Did you decide to steal money here?” These are the realities of that era. Are we seeing something like this now?
Secondly, these are those who see in a holy man a “scumbag” who corrupts girls who decide to become nuns. In their logic, monasticism is abnormal, contrary to the ordinary course of life. It does not fit into their ignorant head, so they make a logical conclusion for themselves - a libertine pretending to be a saint. “To go to a monastery” is like the collapse of worldly life, and many have no other understanding of the monastery. Are we seeing something like this now?
Thirdly, the president who runs the theological school is a secular man, an intellectual. He is a lover of “education” and “development” who opposes “medieval”, “asceticism”, “dark ages” and “radical religiosity”. One kind of cassock puts him in a state of heightened excitability. From the presence of a priest alone, he is ready to argue and argue. Are we seeing something like this now? To give credit to the character, he still recognizes the absence of peace in his soul in comparison with the calmness and endurance that Nectarius demonstrates.
If nothing has changed in the criticism of God’s people in the past hundred and more years, then there has been no progress in humanity. I wouldn’t call directing a strong point of this film, but Aris Servetalis’ acting creates some really strong scenes – experiencing his persecution in hot prayer and, especially, the death scene. Even on his deathbed, this person finds the strength to think of someone else, listening to the despondency of others. This is an indicator, not everyone is capable of this.