The Monk Hilarion the New, Abbot of Pelikite, devoted himself from his youth to serving God and spent many years in prison. For his integrity and sanctity of life, he was first awarded the rank of presbyter, and then was appointed abbot of the Pelikite Monastery (near the Dardanelles Strait).
Venerable Hilarion was honored from the Lord with the gift of insight and miracles. With the gracious power of prayer, he brought down rain during drought, like the prophet Elisha, he divided the waters of the river, drove harmful animals away from the fields, filled the nets of fishermen with fish when fishing unsuccessfully, and performed many other miracles.
In addition, he became famous for the gift of healing the sick and casting out demons.
The monk suffered in 754, when on Maundy Thursday the military leader Lakhanodrakon, pursuing icon worshipers, unexpectedly attacked the Pelikite Monastery, boldly burst into the church during the Divine Liturgy, interrupted the service and threw the Holy Gifts to the ground.
Forty-two monks were captured, chained, sent to the Ephesian region and killed. The remaining monks were seriously injured, they were beaten, their beards were scorched with fire, their faces were smeared with resin, and some confessors had their noses cut off. During this persecution, St. Hilarion died martyrically for icon veneration.