Saint Hilarion the New, Igumen of Pelekete Monastery, devoted himself to the service of God from a young age and spent many years as a hermit. Due to his holy and blameless life, he was ordained to the priesthood and later became the igumen of Pelekete monastery near the Dardanelles. Saint Hilarion was blessed with gifts of clairvoyance and wonderworking by the Lord.
Through his prayers, he brought rain during a drought, performed miracles akin to those of the Prophet Elisha, and healed the sick and cast out demons. He also protected the monastery and its inhabitants from various dangers, displaying the power of God through his actions.
Saint Hilarion faced persecution during the iconoclastic period when the military commander Lakhanodrakon attacked the monastery, resulting in the martyrdom of many monks, including Saint Hilarion himself. He bravely stood for the veneration of icons and suffered greatly for his faith.
Saint Hilarion’s spiritual writings contain valuable moral directives for those seeking spiritual growth and guidance. His legacy influenced other saints, such as Saint Joseph of Volokolamsk, who also emphasized the importance of monastic struggles in their theological works.
Abbot Hilarion lived a life of seclusion and dedication to God, serving as a beacon of light in a time of darkness. His courage and faithfulness in the face of persecution serve as an inspiration to all who seek to follow Christ wholeheartedly.