MAN OF GOD

Greece, 2021, 109 minutes, Colour.

Aris Servetalis. Alexandre Petrov, Christos Loulis, Tonia Sotiropouloou, Mickey Rourke.

Directed by Yelena Popovic.

Here is a cinematic invitation to visit the world of the Orthodox Churches.

This has been a welcome film for members of the Greek Orthodox Church. It is a Greek production, a Greek cast plus some Russians, and a cameo at the end of the film by Mickey Rourke as a paralysed patient in the hospital. Those not familiar with Orthodox Christianity will be intrigued by differences from their own experiences.

The man of God of the title is a Bishop, Nektarios, who was declared a saint in 1961.

The film opens in Alexandria in 1890, plenty of atmosphere, an introduction to Nektarios as a good man, encountering the poor, talking with Muslims. But, then we enter the world of ecclesiastical politics and this is a pervading issue throughout the film, deep effect on the life of Nektarios himself. Many want him to find a high place in the hierarchy, eventually to become the Patriarch. However, he has been denounced, out-of-favour with the authorities, accused of being a fraud. The scenes of the bishops arguing the case, their reasons for condemnation, are the familiar discussions in all aspects of politics, church and secular.

The action then moves to Athens, Nektarios, labouring under the reported suspicions, unable to be given an appointment for ministry. We see him working with the poor, living the life of the poor. In some ways, he is the image of the traditional saint, absolutely devoted entirely to God, stern, rarely smiling, self-sacrificing. Later, he will be engaged in a discussion about asceticism – and he is the model of the ascetic. He also finds that he was born in a part of Greece now seconded into the Turkish Empire, and his not being recognised as a Greek citizen.

However, we see that there is a providence in his life. He is asked to be the head of the seminary in Athens. Once again, complete dedication, certainly not always approved of by the Board of the seminary, especially one member, Christos, continually antagonistic towards Nektarios (the discussion about asceticism with him), apologising to seminarians involved in petty disputes because he has provoked anger, determined to do penance, and in another case, apologising again and offering to go on a hunger strike. When the janitor is ill and his job threatened, Nektarios cleans the toilets.

In the early 20^th century, there is another election in Alexandria, with Nektarios travelling, some wanting him elected patriarch – but the malevolent authorities continually undermine him.

In the latter part of his life, he accedes to the wishes of a group of women in Athens, the leader an earnest blind woman, who wish to be nuns. They move to the island of Aegina, building it up, living a poor life, but fulfilling their ambitions to live a community life. Again, church authorities suspicious, civic authorities sending the police to interrogate him, the mother of one of the nuns having gone to accuse him of misbehaviour – but he and the women are vindicated.

All the time, Nektarios has had the support of Kostas, deciding not to go on for priesthood, but a firm supporter of Nektarios, faithful over the years, but pleading with him not to go to the island, ultimately visiting him and concerned about him in his old age.  Nektarios’ health declines, and he dies – leading to further veneration and the declaration of his sainthood.

In many ways, severe hagiography and the portrait of an ascetic, maligned, but caring for the poor and oppressed.

1. An invitation for world audiences to enter into the world of the Orthodox Churches? For members of the churches? For Christian believers? For members of other religions? For non-believers?
2. The story based on fact, Egypt in the 1890s, Athens and the Greek islands in the 20^th century? The locations, atmosphere of Egypt, Alexandria, the city, churches and worship, meetings of the authority, the synods? The atmosphere of Athens, the city, poor areas, the seminary, authorities and their offices? The island of Aegina, rural, the sea, the building of the monastery? Authentic atmosphere? Musical score, from Orthodox liturgies enquires?
3. The story of Nektarios, as cleric, as Bishop, as slandered, living with the poor, as rector of the seminary, the clashes with the authorities, the management of the seminary, the request from the women, going to the island, establishing the convent? Old age, work, menial tasks, humble, seen as saintly? His being acknowledged as a saint in 1961?
4. The screenplay, names and dates, places, the piecemeal effect, putting together his life and struggles?
5. The audience seeing him in middle age, accused of being a fraud, misconduct? The meetings of the hierarchy, their discussions, their malevolent attitudes towards him? Fear that he would be elected as Archbishop? Campaigns against him? Poisoning the patriarch’s minds and attitude?
6. His friends, support, going to Athens? Not accepted, no livelihood, not considered a Greek citizen because of Turkish occupation, living a poor life, with the poor, his supporters?
7. The scenes of him doing good, his friends in Alexandria, words of healing? Sharing life with the poor in Athens? Saintly?
8. The request for him to go to the seminary? The nature of the seminary, the students, bickering amongst themselves, his asking for forgiveness, taking blame for provoking others’ angers? The later threat of the hunger strike? Interactions with the students?
9. The authorities, buildings, repairs? Christos and his years of interaction with Nektarios? The hostility, undermining the saint, the meetings, the discussions, religious issues? The end, a certain admiration?
10. The friendship with Kostas, the beginnings, his not wanting to be a priest, working in the seminary, the discussions with Nektarios, the friendship, support? His upset with the authorities? The issue of the monastery, not wanting him to go? Even a tantrum? Yet the continued visits, the support over the years, finally illness, death?
11. Maria, the other women, the discussions, her being blind? The request for a convent? Nektarios’ support, the island, the land, the building of the convent, the hard labour, the stones and building?
12. Hostility towards Nick Darius, his going to Alexandria for the election of the patriarch, his being edged out, the newly elected showing him? The return to Greece, on the island? The raid by the police? The accusations of the mother of the nun, testing her, vindication?
13. Age, the passing of the years, life in the convent, his illness, the paralysed man in the adjacent bed, the conversations, the healing? The final treatment, his death?
14. His reputation, veneration?