[[Image:PaisiostombSão_Paísios_2.JPGjpg|right|thumbnailthumb|Tomb Saint Paisios of Elder Paisios]][[Image:PaisiosPlaque.JPG|right|thumbnail|Plaque at tombMount Athos]]Our venerable and God-bearing Father '''Paisios (Eznepidis)of Mount Athos'''([[July 25]], the 1924 &ndash; [[July 12]], 1994), also known as '''Elder Paisios of Mount Athos''', (Greek: Γέροντος Παϊσίου του ΑγιορείτουΓέροντας Παΐσιος ο Αγιορείτης) is , was a much revered monastic of [[Mount Athos]]. A devout An [[asceticism|ascetic]], he was known by his visitors for his gentle manner and acceptance of those who came to receive his advice, counsel, and blessing endeared him to his visitors. His popular 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.

==Early life==On Soon after his tonsure, monk Averkios left Esphigmenou and joined the then idiorhythmic brotherhood of [[July 25Philotheou Monastery (Athos)|Philotheou Monastery]], 1924 the future Elder Paisios (Eznepidis) where his uncle was born a monk. He placed himself under obedience to pious parents in the town of Farasa, Cappadocia of Asia Minor. The family's spiritual fatherElder Symeon, who gave him the priest monk Arsenios (the now canonized St. [[Arsenios of Cappadocia]])Small Schema in 1956, baptized with the babe with his new name, prophesying his future profession as monkPaisios. Fr. A week after Paisios dwelt deeply on the baptism (thought that his own spiritual failures and barely a month after lack of love were the cause of his birth) Arsenios was drivenneighbor's shortcomings, along with his family, out as well as of Asia Minor by the Turksworld's ills. St. Arsenios guided He harshly accused himself and pushed himself to greater self-denial and more fervent prayer for his flock along their 400-mile trek to Greecesoul and for the whole world. After a number He also cultivated the habit of stops along seeking the way, Arsenios"good reason" for a potentially scandalous event and for people' family finally ended up in the town of Konitsa in Epiros (northwestern Greece)s actions. StIn this way he preserved himself from judging others. Arsenios had reposedFor example, as he pilgrims to Mt. Athos who had prophesiedbeen scandalized by the strange behavior and stories told by a certain monk would when they met Elder Paisios, forty days after their establishment in Greeceasked him what was wrong with the monk. He warned them not to judge others, and he left that this monk was actually virtuous and was simply pretending to be a fool when visitors would come, so as to preserve his spiritual heir the infant Arseniossilence.

The young Arsenios In 1958, Elder Paisios was wholly given over asked to God spend some time in and spent around his free time in home village so as to support the faithful against the silence proselytism of natureProtestant groups. He greatly encouraged the faithful there, helping many people. Later, in 1962, he visited [[St. Catherine's Monastery (Sinai)|Sinai]] where he would pray stayed for hours on endtwo years. Having completed his elementary education, During this time he learned became beloved of the trade of carpentry. He worked Bedouins who benefited both spiritually as well as a carpenter until materially from his mandatory military servicepresence. He served in The Elder used the Army during the dangerous days of money he received from the end sale of World War II. Arsenios was brave and self-sacrificing, always desiring to put his own life at risk so as to spare his brother. He was particularly concerned about his fellow soldiers who had left wives and children carved wooden handicraft to servebuy them food.

Having completed his obligation to his countryIn 1964, Arsenios received his discharge in 1949 and greatly desired to begin his monastic life on the Holy Mountain. Before being able to settle there, however, he had to fulfil his responsibility to his family, to look after his sisters, who were as yet unmarried. Having provided for his sisters' future, he was free return to begin his monastic vocation with a clean conscience. He arrived on Mt. Athos in 1950, when he learned his first lessons in the monastic way from the virtuous ascetic Fr. Kyril (Elder Paisios took up residence at the future [[abbot]] Skete of [[Koutloumousiou Iviron Monastery (Athos) |Koutloumousiou MonasteryIviron]]), but was unable to stay by his side as he had hoped, and so was sent before moving to Katounakia at the [[Esphigmenou Monastery (Athos)|Monastery southernmost tip of Esphigmenou]]Mt. He was Athos for a novice short stay in the desert there . The Elder's failing health may have been part of the reason for four yearshis departure from the desert. In 1966, after which he a part of his lungs was [[tonsure]]d a monk in 1954 with the name Averkiosremoved during an operation. He It was a conscientious monk, finding ways to both complete during this time of hospitalization that his obediences (which required contact long friendship began with others) and to preserve his silence, so as to progress in the art young sisterhood of prayerSt. He was always selfless [[Apostle John|John the Theologian]] in helping his brethrenSouroti, unwilling to rest while others worked (though he may have already completed just outside of Thessaloniki. During his own obediences), as operation he loved his brothers greatly needed blood and without distinctionit was then that a group of novices from the monastery donated blood to save him. In addition to Elder Paisios was most grateful, and after his ascetic struggles and the common life in the monasteryrecovery, he was spiritually enriched through the reading of soul-profiting books. In particular, did whatever he read the lives of the Saintscould, the [[Gerontikon]]materially and spiritually, and especially the to help them build their [[Ascetical Homiliesmonastery]] of St. [[Isaac the Syrian]].[http://elderpaisios.com/Life/index.htm]

==Monastic Life==Soon after his tonsureIn 1968, monk Averkios left Esphigmenou and joined he resided at the (then) idiorhythmic brotherhood of [[Philotheou Stavronikita Monastery (Athos)|Philotheou Monasteryof Stavronikita]], where his uncle was a monkhelping with its spiritual as well as material renovation. He put himself under obedience to While there he had the blessing of being in contact with the virtuous ascetic [[Elder Symeon, Tikhon]] who gave him lived in the [[Hermitage]] of the Small Schema in 1956Holy Cross, with the new name near Stavronikita. Elder Paisiosstayed by his side until his repose, serving him selflessly as his [[disciple]]. It was during this period that Elder Tikhon clothed Fr. Paisios dwelt deeply on in the Great Schema. According to the thought that his own spiritual failures and lack wishes of love were the cause of his neighbor's shortcomingsElder, as well as of the worldFr. Paisios remained in Elder Tikhon's illshermitage after his repose. Fr. He harshly accused himselfPaisios stayed there until 1979, pushing himself when he moved to greater self-denial and more fervent prayer for his soul and for final home on the whole world. FurthermoreHoly Mountain, he cultivated the habit of always seeking the "good reason" for a potentially scandalous event and for people's actions, and in this way he preserved himself from judging others. For examplehermitage Panagouda, pilgrims which belongs to Mtthe Monastery of Koutloumousiou. Athos had been scandalized by the strange behavior and stories told by a certain monk, and, when they met Elder Paisios, they asked him what was wrong with the monk[http://elderpaisios. He warned them not to judge others, and that this monk was actually virtuous and was simply pretending to be a fool when visitors would come, so as to preserve his silencecom/Life/lifetwo.htm]

In 1958 It was at Panagouda that Elder Paisios was asked ' 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 night to spend some time 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 self-abandon with which he served God and around his home village so as fellow man, his strictness with himself, the austerity of his regime, 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 was forced to support leave the faithful against Holy Mountain for various reasons (often due to his illnesses) he would receive pilgrims for hours on end at the proselytism of Protestant groupswomen's monastery at Souroti. The physical effort which this entailed in his weakened state caused him such pain that he would turn pale. He greatly encouraged the faithful therebore his suffering with much grace, confident that, as God knows what is best for us, helping many peopleit could not be otherwise. Afterwards, He would say that God is greatly touched when someone who is in 1962great suffering does not complain, he left but rather uses his energy to visit pray for others.[[StImage:Paisiostomb. Catherine's Monastery (Sinai)JPG|right|thumbnail|SinaiTomb of Elder Paisios]] where 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 stayed would often fall unconscious. On [[October 5]], 1993, the Elder left his beloved Holy Mountain for two yearsthe last time. During this time Though he became beloved of had planned on being off the Bedouins who benefited both spiritually as well as materially from his presencemountain for just a few days, while in Thessaloniki he was diagnosed with cancer that needed immediate treatment. The Elder used After the money operation he received from spent some time recovering in the hospital and was then transferred to the sale of monastery at Souroti. Despite his carved wooden handicraft critical state he received people, listening to buy their sorrows and counseling them food.

On After his return to Mt. Athos in 1964 operation, Elder Paisios took up residence at the Skete of Iviron before moving had his heart set on returning to Katounakia at the southernmost tip of Mt. Athos for a short stay in the desert there. The Elder's His attempts to do so, however, were hindered by his failing health may have been part . His last days were full of suffering, but also of the joy of the reason [[martyr]]s. On [[July 11]], 1994, he received [[Holy Communion]] for his departure from the desertlast time. In 1966The next day, he was operated on and had part of Elder Paisios gave his lungs removedsoul into God's keeping. It He was during this time of hospitalization that buried, according to his long friendship with wishes, at the then young sisterhood [[Monastery of St. [[Apostle Johnthe Theologian (Souroti)|Monastery of St. John the Theologian]] in Souroti. Elder Paisios, just outside of Thessalonikiperhaps more than any other contemporary elder, began. During his operation he greatly needed blood captured the minds and it was then that a group hearts of novices from the monastery donated blood to save himGreek people. Elder Paisios was most grateful, and after Many books of his recovery did whatever he couldcounsels have been published, materially and spiritually, to help them build their the monastery. In 1968 he spent time at Souroti has undertaken a great work, organizing the Monastery Elder's writings and counsels into impressive volumes befitting his memory. Thousands of Stavronikita helping both with its spiritual as well as material renovationpilgrims visit his tomb each year. While there he had the blessing of being in contact with the ascetic [[Elder TikhonImage:PaisiosPlaque.JPG|right|thumbnail|Plaque at tomb]] who lived in the hermitage of the Holy Cross, near Stavronikita. Elder Paisios stayed by his side until his repose, serving him selflessly as his disciple. It was during this time that Elder Tikhon clothed Fr. Paisios in the Great Schema. According to the wishes of the Elderglorified on January 13, Fr. Paisios remained in his hermitage after his repose. He stayed there until 19792015, when he moved on to his final home on by the Holy Mountain, the hermitage Panagouda, which belongs to and Sacred Synod of the Monastery Ecumenical Patriarchate of KoutloumousiouConstantinople.[http://elderpaisios He is commemorated each year on July 12.com/Life/lifetwo.htm]

It was here at Panagouda that Elder Paisios== Works ==* ''Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian'' fame as a God bearing elder grew, drawing to him translated into English and published in 1989 and 2001 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the sick and suffering people of GodTheologian", Souroti, [[Thessalonica|Thessaloniki]], Greece. He received them all day long* ''Elder Hadji-Georgis the Athonite'', dedicating translated into English and published in 1996 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the night to God in prayerTheologian", Souroti, Thessaloniki, vigil Greece.* ''[[Athonite Fathers and spiritual struggle. His regime of prayer Athonite Matters (Elder Paisios)|Athonite Fathers and asceticism left him with only two or three hours each night for rest. The self-abandon with which he served God Athonite Matters]]'', translated into English and his fellow manpublished in 1999 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian", Souroti, Thessaloniki, his strictness with himselfGreece.* ''Epistles'', the austerity by Elder Paisios of his regimeMount Athos, translated into English and his sensitive nature made him increasingly prone to sickness. In addition to respiratory problemspublished in Feb 2002 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian", Souroti, Thessaloniki, Greece; distributed in his later days he suffered from a serious hernia that made life very painfulthe U.S.A. by [http://www.sainthermanpress.com St. Herman of Alaska Monastery]. When he was forced to leave * "Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain for various reasons (often due to his illnesses) he would receive pilgrims for hours ," by Priestmonk Christodoulos, published on end at the womenHoly Mountain, 1998.* ''Spiritual Counsels, Vol. 1: With Pain and Love for Contemporary Man''s monastery at , translated into English and published in 2006 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian", Souroti, Thessaloniki, Greece.* ''Spiritual Counsels, Vol. 2: Spiritual Awakening'', translated into English and published in 2008 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the physical effort which this entailed in his weakened state caused him such pain that he would turn pale. He bore his suffering with much graceTheologian", howeverSouroti, confident thatThessaloniki, as God knows what is best for usGreece.*''Spiritual Counsels, it could not be otherwiseVol. He would say that God is greatly touched when someone who is 3: Spiritual Struggle'', translated into English and published in great suffering does not complain2010 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian", Souroti, Thessaloniki, but rather uses his energy to pray for othersGreece.

In addition to his other illnesses he suffered from hemorrhaging which left him very weak. In his final weeks before leaving the Holy Mountain*''Spiritual Counsels, he would often fall unconsciousVol. On [[October 5]]4 - Family'', 1993 the Elder left his beloved Holy Mountain for the last time2002. Though he had planned on being off the mountain for just a few days*''Spiritual Counsels, while in Thessaloniki he was diagnosed with cancer that needed immediate treatmentVol. After the operation he spent some time recovering in the hospital 5 - Passions and was then transferred to the monastery at [[Souroti]]. Despite his critical state he received peopleVirtues'', listening to their sorrows and counseling them2006.

After his operation==Hymns=='''Apolytikion in the First Tone'''<ref name=OMHKSEA/><br>The offspring of Farasa, Elder Paisios had his heart set on returning to Mt. and the adornment of Athos. His attempts to do so, however, were hindered by his failing health. His last days were full of suffering, but also of <br> and the joy imitator of the martyrs. On [[July 11]]former righteous, 1994, he received [[Holy Communion]] for the last time. The next dayequal in honor, Elder <br> O Paisios gave his soul into God's keeping. He was buried, according to his wisheslet us honor O faithful, at the Monastery vessel full of St. John the Theologian in Souroti. Elder Paisiosgraces, perhaps more than any other contemporary elder<br> who hastens speedily to those who cry out:<br> glory to Him Who gave you strength, has captured the minds and hearts of the Greek people. Many books of his counsels have been published <br> glory to Him Who crowned you, and the monastery at Souroti has undertaken a great work, organizing the Elder's writings and counsels into impressive volumes befitting his memory. Thousands of pilgrims visit his tomb each year<br> glory to Him Who grants through you healings for all.

==Works=====Translated into English===*''Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian'Verses', translated into English and published in 1989 and 2001 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian", Souroti, Thessaloniki, Greece.*''Elder Hadji-Georgis the Athonite'', translated into English and published in 1996 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian", Souroti, Thessaloniki, Greece.<ref name=OMHKSEA/><br>*''[[Athonite Fathers and Athonite Matters (Elder Paisios)|Athonite Fathers and Athonite Matters]]'', translated into English and published in 1999 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian", Souroti, Thessaloniki, Greece.*''Epistles'', by Elder Paisios tree of Mount Athos, translated into English and published in Feb 2002 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian"<br>You were shown to be full of fruit, Souroti, Thessaloniki, Greece; distributed in the U.S.A. by [http://www.sainthermanpress.com St. Herman of Alaska Monastery]O Most-venerable one.<br>*''Discourses 1: With Pain and Love for Contemporary Man''On the twelfth, Paisios reposed.

===Others, as yet untranslated===*''Discourses 2 - Spiritual Wakefulness'Megalynarion'''<ref name=OMHKSEA/><br>Rejoice the communicant with the Venerable, 1999 & 2000. <!-- Πνευματική αφ�?πνιση - anyone want to translate the title? --br>*''Discourses 3 - Spiritual Struggle''the pride of Athos, the adornment of Monastics, 2001. <!-- Πνευματικός αγώνας - anyone want to check br> Rejoice the translation new teacher of the title?--Church,<br>*Discourses 4 and 5 (unknown titles)O godly-minded Paisios, our boast.

==Other sourcesReferences==*Middleton, Herman A., 2004,"Elder Paisios the Athonite", in ''Precious Vessels of the Holy Spirit: The Lives & Counsels of Contemporary Elders of Greece'', 2nd edn., [[osource:Protecting Veil Press|Protecting Veil Press]], Thessalonica, Greece [http:<div><references/></www.protectingveil.com/available]*"Talks with Father Paisios", by Athanasios Rakovalis, published in Thessaloniki in 2000, distributed by St. Nicodemos Publications [http://www.saintnicodemos.org]*[http://elderpaisios.com]div>

==External linklinks==* ''[http://www.omhksea.org/2015/01/testimony-by-metropolitan-athanasios-of-limassol-regarding-saint-paisios/ Testimony by Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol regarding Saint Paisios].'' Ecumenical Patriarchate - Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and South East Asia (OMHKSEA). January 13, 2015.*[http://www.pigizois.grnet/agglika/paisios/10.htm Elder Paisios: A short biography]* [http://www.protectingveil.com/ Middleton, Herman A., 2004,"Elder Paisios the Athonite", in ''Precious Vessels of the Holy Spirit: The Lives & Counsels of Contemporary Elders of Greece'', 2nd edn., Protecting Veil Press, Thessalonica, Greece]* [http://www.saintnicodemos.org/ "Talks with Father Paisios", by Athanasios Rakovalis, published in Thessaloniki in 2000, distributed by St. Nicodemos Publications]*[[Wikipedia:Greco-Turkish_War_(1919–1922)]]

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