Elder Iakovos- A Saint of our Days

St. Iakovos Tsalikis was born on November 5, 1920 in Livisi, Asia Minor. His childhood years were very difficult, as this area was and still is dominated by the Turks. When he was two years of age, all of the Livisianoi were ordered to leave the area. Approximately 2000 women, children and old men were forced to flee, frightened, staggering, and with saddened hearts without hope. Little Jacob was held in the arms of his mother. His brothers, George and Tasoula, were only four years and forty days old. Without the slightest financial supplies, since the few things they could get were seized by the Turks, they began a harrowing journey that lasted a week or more. They finally arrived in Itea. The head of the family was now the grandmother of James, Mama Despina, a woman with fiery faith, unfailing patience and capacity. In 1924,the tormented family of the Elder, finally transferred to North Evia, in the village "Farakla". Our Elder,said that in the house, three things dominated: love, fasting and charity. Those three things were a basic staple in the family. Love filled their house. As for charity, no one passed by the house, without receiving the care of his grandmother or his mother, Theodora. When even some girls were in marriageable age, she helped as long as possible. Charity was always abounded and most of it was in done in secret. This is why the Elder gave emphasis to those three things love, fasting and charity...

His upbringing was very important to his spiritual development. "The root is very important," the Elder often said. He was fortunate to feel this root as his first and most important educator, in the life of faith and piety, in the face of his mother, Theodora. She was embellished with virtues of charity, continence, fasting, a good work ethic, and tidiness.