Saint Evmenios was already living at the hospital of contagious diseases in Athens, when God’s providence and good will answered his prayers and sent him Saint Nikiforos to guide him in the subtleties of the spiritual life. After living at the leper colony of Chios with Saint Anthimos for 43 years, Saint Nikiforos had to transfer to this same hospital in view of his advanced illness and severe disabilities. Though he was in a dreadful physical condition, already blind and slowly becoming paralyzed, under the tutelage of Saint Anthimos, he had become a mature monk with great spirituality. Upon being transferred to the Hospital of Agia Varvara in Athens for special care, he was received by Elder Evmenios, who at that time was still named Sophronios. Before his arrival, Elder Evmenios received a letter from Saint Anthimos which read:

Father Sophronios,
Take good care of this treasure Panagia has sent you. From his life you will derive much benefit, for he is not only a tried and tested monk, but also a perfect monk. You too, will become perfect if you serve him until the end of your life.

From that moment, Father Sophronios became Saint Nikiforos’ devoted caregiver—nursing him, cooking for him, bathing him, helping him put on his shoes, guiding him to church and leading him to the chanter’s stand. He was not only his right hand and his left, but also his feet and his eyes—he did all these things understanding that God had sent him an angel to teach him the spiritual life. Saint Evmenios served Saint Nikiforos for seven years until the latter’s repose on January 4, 1964, in turn passing on the legacy of holiness to all those around him.