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Thou Art Righteous in Thy Saints, O Lord...
Hloly Icon of St. Thomas Alexander Eleftherion (Written for the APC Holy Synod)
St. Thomas, Pray for Us!“O Blessed +Thomas from thy childhood // thou didst honor God by a virtuous life // and was honoured by Him most worthily // a sacred vessel overcoming disabilities // fervently pray to Christ our God for all the world // and for the salvation of our souls.” - Troparion in the 5th Tone
Grave of St. Thomas Alexander Eleftherion at Union Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio, USA
St. Thomas Alexander Eleftherion
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St. Thomas, Pray for Us!
"Thou didst finish thy life in piety // O Godly-minded +Thomas // Thou wast a pure vessel of the Trinity // and a companion of the Angels // may peace and forgiveness be granted through thine intercession // to those who honour thee." Kontakia in 5th Tone
“As a touch of Truth and a tower of strength // a beacon of Faith O Blessed +Thomas // thou art the adornment of America // the joy of our nation // and most worthy of all our praise.” - Alternate Troparion (for use in America) in the 5th Tone
“As a touch of Truth and a tower of strength // a beacon of Faith O Blessed +Thomas // thou art the adornment of America // the joy of our nation // and most worthy of all our praise.” - Alternate Troparion (for use in America) in the 5th Tone
St. Thomas Alexander Eleftherion (Written by His Eminence, Archbishop +LEONID of France)
BIOGRAPHY OF ST. THOMAS:
The Holy Servant of God, Thomas Alexander Eleftherion, was born in Orlando, Florida, United States of America to a pious family on 11 August 1964. He was baptized shortly afterwards in the Greek Orthodox Church and lived all his life with this parents.
Thomas was born with Downs Syndrome and high level mental retardation. He was also born with a rare congenital heart defect and chronic psoriasis all over his body. Doctors said that he would never walk, never work, never read, never write, never be responsible for himself, never have a meaningful relationship and a life expectancy not past 10 years.
TESTIMONY OF HOLINESS:
With the faithful determination and strong Orthodox Faith of his Mother, Father, Brothers, Church Family and Friends…and the intervention and grace of Almighty God…and the strong, personal, Orthodox Faith that Thomas witnessed every day of his earthly life…he was able overcome all his disabilities!
Thomas Alexander Eleftherion was a living witness of outstanding holiness and was blessed by Almighty God because of it! He was totally honest! It was impossible for him to tell a lie! He loved every individual he met and was very compassionate to little animals and all of God’s creatures! He shared the little he had! He truly put others first even though he was limited due to his disabilities!
All throughout his life, and with everyone he met, no one could say an ill thing about Thomas. He was praised to his face and to his family and friends. He was always remembered after he met someone…his smile, his laugh, his unconditional love that was emulating from him…a precious gift from Almighty God given to this precious soul
In contradiction to what medical authorities had predicted, Thomas lived to be 51 years of age. His life expectancy and health…in spite of the actual physical conditions that he had…were not explainable…he was a living miracle! God blessed him tremendously with a long and fruitful life. He was able to marginally read and write, he maintained his own bank account and worked for over 35 years in a sheltered workshop for the mentally disabled and physically handicapped. He never complained about his secular work. His managers and co-workers praised him for his honesty and his abilities. His manager for 25 years considered him like a brother. After his repose, the facility erected a memorial photograph for Thomas...something that had never been done before!
Certainly, Thomas was not able to achieve the great levels of activity with his life unless if be for the direct intervention of Almighty God and His Holy Mother the Theotokos.
Thomas fell asleep in the Lord at his home surrounded by his Mother and Father. He died in the Odor of Sanctity just minutes after the Trisagion and Prayers for a Departing Soul had been said at his bedside…he had a holy death which reflected his holy life. He has made himself know to his Mother since his falling asleep and his presence is still felt in his home. Certainly, his prayers are for all of us before the terrible Throne of Christ.
Thanks Be to God….
The Holy Servant of God, Thomas Alexander Eleftherion, was born in Orlando, Florida, United States of America to a pious family on 11 August 1964. He was baptized shortly afterwards in the Greek Orthodox Church and lived all his life with this parents.
Thomas was born with Downs Syndrome and high level mental retardation. He was also born with a rare congenital heart defect and chronic psoriasis all over his body. Doctors said that he would never walk, never work, never read, never write, never be responsible for himself, never have a meaningful relationship and a life expectancy not past 10 years.
TESTIMONY OF HOLINESS:
With the faithful determination and strong Orthodox Faith of his Mother, Father, Brothers, Church Family and Friends…and the intervention and grace of Almighty God…and the strong, personal, Orthodox Faith that Thomas witnessed every day of his earthly life…he was able overcome all his disabilities!
Thomas Alexander Eleftherion was a living witness of outstanding holiness and was blessed by Almighty God because of it! He was totally honest! It was impossible for him to tell a lie! He loved every individual he met and was very compassionate to little animals and all of God’s creatures! He shared the little he had! He truly put others first even though he was limited due to his disabilities!
All throughout his life, and with everyone he met, no one could say an ill thing about Thomas. He was praised to his face and to his family and friends. He was always remembered after he met someone…his smile, his laugh, his unconditional love that was emulating from him…a precious gift from Almighty God given to this precious soul
In contradiction to what medical authorities had predicted, Thomas lived to be 51 years of age. His life expectancy and health…in spite of the actual physical conditions that he had…were not explainable…he was a living miracle! God blessed him tremendously with a long and fruitful life. He was able to marginally read and write, he maintained his own bank account and worked for over 35 years in a sheltered workshop for the mentally disabled and physically handicapped. He never complained about his secular work. His managers and co-workers praised him for his honesty and his abilities. His manager for 25 years considered him like a brother. After his repose, the facility erected a memorial photograph for Thomas...something that had never been done before!
Certainly, Thomas was not able to achieve the great levels of activity with his life unless if be for the direct intervention of Almighty God and His Holy Mother the Theotokos.
Thomas fell asleep in the Lord at his home surrounded by his Mother and Father. He died in the Odor of Sanctity just minutes after the Trisagion and Prayers for a Departing Soul had been said at his bedside…he had a holy death which reflected his holy life. He has made himself know to his Mother since his falling asleep and his presence is still felt in his home. Certainly, his prayers are for all of us before the terrible Throne of Christ.
Thanks Be to God….
