Film: Man of God

'Man of God', written and directed by Serbian American film maker Yelena Popovic, is an award winning English language film about the life of St Nektarios of Aegina, a Greek Orthodox saint who died in 1920. It is very hard to portray sanctity or make it interesting on screen, This film, however, is beautifully done and both informative and illuminating about the life of a modern day saint, who although beloved in Greece, is little known in the West. Apparently the film was the number one box office hit for six weeks in Greece, knocking the latest James Bond film off the top spot.

Rather than being a straight biography, the film concentrates on the latter half of the saint's life. A holy and a gifted communicator, Nektarios was a rising star in the patriarchate of Alexandria in Egypt and was made a bishop when he was only 43. His success and popularity among the people, as well as his love of the poor, aroused the envy of his colleagues. They conspired against him and convinced the Patriarch, Sophronios that Nektarios wanted to oust him and take his position. Thus Nektarios was stripped of his responsibilities and sent back to Greece in disgrace, where he eked out a living as an itinerant preacher.

Although he had many influential supporters in Egypt who wanted him back, rather than cause scandal and division in the Church, Nektarios accepted what had happened as part of the mysterious purposes of God. Various calumnies continued to haunt him throughout his life, but rather than fight these, he endured everything and instead won people over by his humility and love. For fourteen years he worked as the dean of an ecclesiastical college that trained both clergy and educationalists. It was a time of growing secularisation in Greece and when he arrived he found the chapel in disrepair. He was told that there was no money to restore this. Rather than argue, Nektarios himself set about cleaning and repairing the building. His example meant that others soon joined in. The institution flourished and many people flocked to hear him preach, Rather than basking in his fame, however, he would be found cleaning the lavatories or digging in the garden. His quiet witness had a profound effect on a whole generation of young men who went on to become influential in the Church and society.

When Sophronios died, it seemed that Nektarios might be elected patriarch of Alexandria in his place, but he prayed that this might not happen. He feared the corrupting nature of power and wanted to continue in a more hidden life. This was granted to him. Both during his life and afterwards there were miraculous occurrences associated with him. On his death bed, one of his undergarments fell on the patient next to him, (a cameo by Mickey Rourke) who was instantly healed of paralysis. But in general it is not Nektarios miracle working that the film concentrates on but his humility and endurance and his faith in God.

Popovic was fortunate that Aris Servatlis, one of the best Greek actors of his generation, is now a devout Christian. His faith shines through his performance and his stillness acts as an effective contrast to the passions around him. It is well worth goggling Yelena Popovic, the film maker too. The story of how she, a former fashion model, became a Christian and then came to make the film is as faith building as the film itself! When we live in difficult times, we need the inspiration and example of those who have suffered and have prevailed.

The film will be on limited release at Odeon cinemas 9th, 10th & 11th September (see: www.odeon.co.uk and afterwards on streaming platforms.

LINKS

Watch the Man of God trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=opUdtkIpuxs
Facebook: www.facebook.com/manofgodthemovie/
Instagram:@manofgodthemovie #manofgodthemovie