Blessed Gerondissa Macrina Vassopoulou, a vision of Saint Ephraim of Katounakia

After Saint Joseph [the Hesychast] fell asleep, many times Saint Ephraim of Katounakia saw two glowing pillars in Volos with his spiritual eyes in the evenings during his vigils. [They were] rising from the earth to the heavens, proceeding from the ever-memorable Gerontissa Macrina and from one of her blessed nuns. And Saint Ephraim would say joyfully: “Hey! Hey! Look at that! We on the rocks [ie. in the wilderness] labour so hard in order to find little crumbs, and they in the world find so much grace! What do those women do down there?”

The monastery in Portaria shone [because of] its spirituality. And thousands of faithful, not only from the [surrounding] area, but also from all over Greece, found a harbour close to the unforgettable Gerontissa Macrina, and they received spiritual benefit. Her face radiated goodness, love, sincerity, and faith. Her peace and her sweet words were a staff and a fountain of strength for all those who were blessed to know her.

Elder Ephraim of Arizona, from the book "My Elder Joseph the Hesychast"