{{style}}[[Image:São_Paísios_2.jpg|right|thumb|Saint Paisios of Mount Athos]]Our venerable and God-bearing Father '''Paisios of Mount Athos''' ([[July 25]], 1924 &ndash; [[July 12]], 1994), also known as '''Elder Paisios''' (EznepidisGreek: Γέροντας Παΐσιος ο Αγιορείτης) , was a very well-known monk on monastic of [[Mount Athos]]. An [[asceticism|Mt Athosascetic]], he was known by his visitors for his gentle manner and acceptance of those who came to receive his advice, counsel, and blessing. His words of counsel continue to be published. [http://noctoc-noctoc.blogspot.com/2008/08/elder-panteleimon-of-hamatouraa-hidden.html?showComment=1217990940000] Elder Paisios was canonized on [[January 13]], 2015, by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the [[Ecumenical Patriarchate]]of Constantinople.<ref>''[http://www.patriarchate.org/-/anakoinothen-13-01-2015-?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.patriarchate.org%2Flatest-news%3Fp_p_id%3D101_INSTANCE_fJBy4jqgMuQe%26p_p_lifecycle%3D0%26p_p_state%3Dnormal%26p_p_mode%3Dview%26p_p_col_id%3Dcolumn-1%26p_p_col_pos%3D1%26p_p_col_count%3D2&languageId=en_US Announcement (13/01/2015)].'' Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople - News Releases. 1/13/15.</ref><ref name=OMHKSEA>''[http://www.omhksea.org/2015/01/ecumenical-patriarchate-officially-entered-elder-paisios-among-the-list-of-saints/ Ecumenical Patriarchate Officially Entered Elder Paisios among the List of Saints].'' Ecumenical Patriarchate - Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and South East Asia (OMHKSEA). January 13, 2015.</ref> The Church commemorates St. Paisios on July 12.

==BiographyLife==On [[July 25]], '''Arsenios Eznepidis ''' was born on July 25, 1924, to pious parents in the town of Farasa, Cappadociaof Asia Minor, shortly before the population exchange between Greece and Turkeyfollowing the Greco-Turkish War of 1919-1922. Arsenios' name was given to him by St . [[Arsenios the Cappadocian]], who baptised baptized him, named the child for himself and foretold Arsenios' [[monasticism|monastic]] future. After Very shortly after his [[baptism]] the exchange, young Arsenios and his family were forced to leave Asia Minor in accordance the peace Treaty of Lausanne. St. Arsenios guided his flock along a 400-mile trek to Greece. The Eznepidis family finally settled in the town of Konitsain Epirus in northwestern Greece. As he had prophesied, EpirusSt. Arsenios reposed forty days after the group settled in Greece, leaving, as his spiritual heir, the infant Arsenios. Arsenios grew up here, in Konitsa and learned carpentry after completing intermediate public school, he learned carpentry.

During the civil war in Greecefollowing World War II, Arsenios served as a radio operator. He worried While concerned about his compatriots who had family, whereas he didn't worry for himself because he was single and had no children. He was noted for his bravery, self-sacrifice and moral righteousness. After the civil war ended, he wanted to begin the enter a monastic life, but had to provide for consider his sisters, who were as yet unmarried. In By 1950, this was accomplished, and he went to Mt Athos: first to Fr Kyril, the had provided for his sisters' future abbot of [[Koutloumousiou Monastery (Athos)]], and then to [[Esphigmenou Monastery (Athos)|Esphigmenou Monastery]] (although he was not supportive of their later opposition free to the [[Church of Constantinople|Ecumenical Patriarchate]])begin his monastic vocation.

He arrived on [[Mount Athos]] in 1950, first to Fr. Kyril, the future [[abbot]] of [[Koutloumousiou Monastery (Athos)|Koutloumousiou Monastery]], and then to [[Esphigmenou Monastery (Athos)|Esphigmenou Monastery]]. In 1954, Arsenios, having been a [[novice ]] for four years, was tonsured [[tonsure]]d a [[monk]] and was given the name Averkios. Soon after, Fr Averkios went to the (then) He was a conscientious [[idiorrhythmicmonk]] brotherhood of [[Philotheou Monastery , finding ways to both complete his obediences (Athoswhich required contact with others)|Philotheou]]and to preserve his silence, where so as to progress in the art of prayer. He was always selfless in helping his uncle brethren. He was a monkunwilling to rest while others worked (though he may have already completed his own obediences) as he loved his brothers greatly and without distinction. While thereIn addition to his ascetic struggles and the common life in the [[monastery]], he was in obedience to Elder Symeonspiritually enriched through the reading of soul-profiting books. In 1956particular, he read the lives of the Saints, Elder Symeon was to tonsure Fr Averkios to the [[small schemaGerontikon]], giving him and especially the name Paisios[[Ascetical Homilies]] of St. [[Isaac the Syrian]].[http://elderpaisios.com/Life/index.htm]s.

===Timeline===*1958: Fr Paisios was asked to spend time in Soon after his home village to support the faithful against [[Protestant]]ism.*1962: Fr Paisios went to Sinai.*1964: On his return to Mt Athostonsure, Fr Paisios took up residence at monk Averkios left Esphigmenou and joined the then idiorhythmic brotherhood of [[Iveron Skete Philotheou Monastery (Athos)|Skete of IvironPhilotheou Monastery]], then at [[Katounakia (Athos)|Katounakia]]where his uncle was a monk. His failing health may have led He placed himself under obedience to the Elder Symeon, who gave him to leave Katounakiathe Small Schema in 1956, with the new name Paisios.*1966: Fr . Paisios had an operation, dwelt deeply on the thought that his own spiritual failures and part lack of his lungs love were removed. During this time, his friendship with the sisterhood cause of [[Monastery of St. John the Theologian (Souroti, Greece)|St. John the Theologian]]his neighbor's shortcomings, Souroti, began. Elder Paisios would place the relics as well as of St Arsenios the Cappadocian in this monasteryworld's ills.*1968: Fr Paisios went He harshly accused himself and pushed himself to [[Stavronikita Monastery (Athos)|Stavronikita Monastery]] greater self-denial and helped in its spiritual more fervent prayer for his soul and material renovationfor the whole world. While there, he was He also cultivated the disciple habit of Elder [[Tychon seeking the Athonite|Tychon]], who lived in the hermitage of the Holy Cross. Fr Paisios was then clothed in the Great Schema by Elder Tychon, "good reason" for a potentially scandalous event and after Elder Tychonfor people's repose, Fr Paisios resided in that hermitageactions. In this way he preserved himself from judging others.*1979: Elder Paisios moved to PanagoudaFor example, a hermitage belonging pilgrims to Koutloumousiou MonasteryMt. It was here that his fame grew. Between prayer Athos who had been scandalized by the strange behavior and assisting his visitors, he only rested for two or three hours each night.*1993 Oct 5: stories told by a certain monk would when they met Elder Paisios left Mt Athos for medical attention. Despite his wish to be gone only a few days, he asked him what was diagnosed wrong with cancer, requiring immediate surgery. After recovery, he was transferred to the Monastery of Stmonk. John the Theologian, Souroti.:Despite wishing to return He warned them not to Mt Athosjudge others, his health did not allow it.*1994 Jul 12: Having received Communion the previous day, Elder Paisios reposed and that this monk was actually virtuous and was buried at the Monastery in Sourotisimply pretending to be a fool when visitors would come, next so as to the church of St Arsenios the Cappadocianpreserve his silence.

==Quotes=='''Asceticism''': "The soft life makes In 1958, Elder Paisios was asked to spend some time in and around his home village so as to support the faithful against the proselytism of Protestant groups. He greatly encouraged the faithful there, helping many people useless. Without toil and struggle sanctification wonLater, in 1962, he visited [[St. Catherine't comes Monastery (Sinai)|Sinai]] where he stayed for two years." -- in ''Precious Vessels During this time he became beloved of the Holy Spirit'', pBedouins who benefited both spiritually as well as materially from his presence. The Elder used the money he received from the sale of his carved wooden handicraft to buy them food.139

'''Ecclesiology''': "UnfortunatelyIn 1964, in our days, there are many people who upset the mother Churchon his return to Mt. Of theseAthos, those that are educated have understood dogma with their minds and not with Elder Paisios took up residence at the spirit Skete of the [[Holy FathersIviron Monastery (Athos)|Iviron]]before moving to Katounakia at the southernmost tip of Mt. At Athos for a short stay in the desert there. The Elder's failing health may have been part of the reason for his departure from the same desert. In 1966, a part of his lungs was removed during an operation. It was during this time, those who are unlettered have grabbed hold of hospitalization that his long friendship began with the young sisterhood of St. [[dogmaApostle John|John the Theologian]] with their teethin Souroti, which is why they grind their teeth when they speak about ecclesiastical topicsjust outside of Thessaloniki. In this way, greater harm is caused by those in the Church than by those who battle During his operation he greatly needed blood and it was then that a group of novices from withoutthe monastery donated blood to save him." -- in ''Precious Vessels of the Holy Spirit''Elder Paisios was most grateful, and after his recovery, he did whatever he could, materially and spiritually, pto help them build their [[monastery]].131

'''Education''': "One word of a humble and In 1968, he resided at the [[Stavronikita Monastery (spirituallyAthos) experienced man that is painfully born from the depths |Monastery of his heart has greater worth than a bunch of clever sayings of an external man that come out quickly from his educated mouthStavronikita]] helping with its spiritual as well as material renovation. His words don't speak truth to While there he had the souls blessing of men, for they are fleshly words and not being in contact with the ascetic [[Elder Tikhon]] who lived in the flames [[Hermitage]] of the fire of Holy Cross, near Stavronikita. Elder Paisios stayed by his side until his repose, serving him selflessly as his [[Pentecostdisciple]]." -- It was during this period that Elder Tikhon clothed Fr. Paisios in the Great Schema. According to the wishes of the Elder, Fr. Paisios remained in Elder Tikhon''Precious Vessels of s hermitage after his repose. Fr. Paisios stayed there until 1979, when he moved to his final home on the Holy Spirit''Mountain, the hermitage Panagouda, pwhich belongs to the Monastery of Koutloumousiou.134[http://elderpaisios.com/Life/lifetwo.htm]

It was at Panagouda that Elder Paisios'''Fleeing fame as a God bearing elder grew, drawing to him the sick and suffering people of God. He received them all day long, dedicating the world''': "night to God in prayer, vigil, and spiritual struggle. His regime of prayer and asceticism left him with only two or three hours each night for rest. The monk flees far from self-abandon with which he served God and his fellow man, his strictness with himself, the worldausterity of his regime, not because and his sensitive nature made him increasingly prone to sickness. In addition to respiratory problems, in his later days he suffered from a serious hernia that made life very painful. When he detests was forced to leave the world, but because Holy Mountain for various reasons (often due to his illnesses) he loves would receive pilgrims for hours on end at the world and women's monastery at Souroti. The physical effort which this entailed in this way his weakened state caused him such pain that he would turn pale. He bore his suffering with much grace, confident that, as God knows what is better able best for us, it could not be otherwise. He would say that God is greatly touched when someone who is in great suffering does not complain, but rather uses his energy to help pray for others.[[Image:Paisiostomb.JPG|right|thumbnail|Tomb of Elder Paisios]]In addition to his other illnesses he suffered from hemorrhaging which left him very weak. In his final weeks before leaving the Holy Mountain, he would often fall unconscious. On [[October 5]], 1993, the world through Elder left his prayerbeloved Holy Mountain for the last time. Though he had planned on being off the mountain for just a few days, while in things Thessaloniki he was diagnosed with cancer that don't happen humanly but only through divine interventionneeded immediate treatment. In this way God saves After the world." -- operation he spent some time recovering in ''Precious Vessels of the Holy Spirit''hospital and was then transferred to the monastery at Souroti. Despite his critical state he received people, plistening to their sorrows and counseling them.132

After his operation, Elder Paisios had his heart set on returning to Mt. Athos. His attempts to do so, however, were hindered by his failing health. His last days were full of suffering, but also of the joy of the [[martyr]]s. On [[July 11]], 1994, he received [[Holy Communion]] for the last time. The next day, Elder Paisios gave his soul into God'''Missions''': "That which is asked s keeping. He was buried, according to his wishes, at the [[Monastery of St. John the Theologian (Souroti)|Monastery of every Orthodox person is to instill a 'good uneasiness' into St. John the heterodox, that they might understand that they are Theologian]] in delusionSouroti. This is so they will not falsely calm their conscience Elder Paisios, perhaps more than any other contemporary elder, captured the minds and thus be deprived in this life hearts of the rich blessings Greek people. Many books of Orthodoxy his counsels have been published, and in the life to come of monastery at Souroti has undertaken a great work, organizing the even greater Elder's writings and eternal blessings counsels into impressive volumes befitting his memory. Thousands of Godpilgrims visit his tomb each year.[[Image:PaisiosPlaque." -- in ''Precious Vessels JPG|right|thumbnail|Plaque at tomb]]Elder Paisios was glorified on January 13, 2015, by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Holy Spirit'', pEcumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. He is commemorated each year on July 12.131-2

== Works ==* ''Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian'Prayer', translated into English and published in 1989 and 2001 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian", Souroti, [[Thessalonica|Thessaloniki]], Greece.* ''Elder Hadji-Georgis the Athonite'': , translated into English and published in 1996 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian"If you want to grab God, Souroti, Thessaloniki, Greece.* ''[[Athonite Fathers and Athonite Matters (Elder Paisios)|Athonite Fathers and Athonite Matters]]'s attention so He'll hear you during prayer, turn translated into English and published in 1999 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the dial to humilityTheologian", Souroti, Thessaloniki, for God always works Greece.* ''Epistles'', by Elder Paisios of Mount Athos, translated into English and published in this frequencyFeb 2002 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian", Souroti, Thessaloniki, then humbly ask for His mercyGreece; distributed in the U.S.A. by [http://www.sainthermanpress.com St. Herman of Alaska Monastery].* " -- Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain," by Priestmonk Christodoulos, published on the Holy Mountain, 1998.* ''Spiritual Counsels, Vol. 1: With Pain and Love for Contemporary Man'', translated into English and published in 2006 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian", Souroti, Thessaloniki, Greece.* ''Spiritual Counsels, Vol. 2: Spiritual Awakening''Precious Vessels of , translated into English and published in 2008 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Holy SpiritTheologian", Souroti, Thessaloniki, Greece.*''Spiritual Counsels, Vol. 3: Spiritual Struggle'', ptranslated into English and published in 2010 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian", Souroti, Thessaloniki, Greece.137

*''Spiritual Counsels, Vol. 4 - Family'Renouncing the world', 2002.*'': "The monk is helped greatly when the monastery is far from the worldSpiritual Counsels, far from archeological sites and worldly noisesVol. Even monasteries that are great sites of pilgrimage lose sight of their true goal, for many times from being a monastery they end up as a business." 5 -- in ''Precious Vessels of the Holy SpiritPassions and Virtues'', p2006.132-3

==WorksHymns=====Translated into English===*''Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian'', translated into English and published Apolytikion in 1989 and 2001 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian", Souroti, Thessaloniki, Greece.*First Tone''Elder Hadji-Georgis the Athonite''<ref name=OMHKSEA/><br>The offspring of Farasa, translated into English and published in 1996 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian", Souroti, Thessalonikiadornment of Athos, Greece.<br> *''[[Athonite Fathers and Athonite Matters (Elder Paisios)|Athonite Fathers and Athonite Matters]]''the imitator of the former righteous, translated into English and published equal in 1999 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian"honor, Souroti, Thessaloniki, Greece.<br> *''Epistles'', by Elder O Paisios of Mount Athoslet us honor O faithful, translated into English and published in Feb 2002 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian"vessel full of graces, Souroti<br> who hastens speedily to those who cry out:<br> glory to Him Who gave you strength, Thessaloniki<br> glory to Him Who crowned you, Greece; distributed in the U.S.A. by [http://www.sainthermanpress.com St. Herman of Alaska Monastery].<br> *''Discourses 1: With Pain and Love glory to Him Who grants through you healings for Contemporary Man''all.

===Others, as yet untranslated===*''Discourses 2 - Spiritual Wakefulness'Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone'''<ref name=OMHKSEA/><br>The most-famed ascetic of the Holy Mountain, 1999 & 2000. <!br> and the newly-- Πνευματική αφ�?πνιση - anyone want to translate enlightened light of the title? --Church,<br>*''Discourses 3 - Spiritual Struggle''let us praise him with hymns with all our heart, 2001. <!-- Πνευματικός αγώνας - anyone want to check br> for he leads the translation faithful towards a perfect life,<br> filling them with rivers of the title?--gifts,<br> therefore we cry out:<br>*Discourses 4 and 5 (unknown titles)Hail, O Father Paisios.

'''Synaxarion'''<ref name==Other sources==OMHKSEA/><br>*MiddletonOn this day (July 12), Herman A., 2004,"Elder the memory of our venerable Father Paisios the Athonite"New, in ''Precious Vessels of the Holy Spirit: The Lives & Counsels of Contemporary Elders of Greece'', 2nd edn., Protecting Veil PressMountain, Thessalonica, Greece.*"Talks with Father Paisios", by Athanasios Rakovalis, published who reposed in Thessaloniki peace in 2000, distributed by St. Nicodemos Publications [http://www.saintnicodemosthe year 1994.org]

'''Verses'''<ref name==External links==OMHKSEA/><br>Paisios, the tree of Mount Athos,<br>*[http://wwwYou were shown to be full of fruit, O Most-venerable one.pigizois<br>On the twelfth, Paisios reposed.gr/agglika/paisios/10.htm Elder Paisios: A short biography]

[[el:Γέρων Παΐσιοςο Αθωνίτης]][[pt:Paísios do Monte Athos]][[ro:Paisie Aghioritul]]