The process of canonizing Saints in the Orthodox Church does not begin in a Diocesan office, not in a meeting of bishops, nor among a gathering of learned theologians but begins “from the ground up” with the people of God.  They remember a holy man or woman who lived among them and was an example of Christian faith.  The people begin to  share sand write stories of that person’s devotion to Christ.   They visit and pray at their graves asking for their prayers before the throne of God.  Such is the story of Bishop Gerasimos of Abydos who devoted most of his episcopal ministry here in America and fell asleep in the Lord recently in 1995.  He is remembered by those who knew him for the holiness of his life, his dedication as a spiritual father to a generation of seminarians, priests and bishops.  While he has yet to be canonized as a saint, people pray at his grave near the chapel of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary in Massachusetts and icons depicting him can be found in several churches.