Elder Paisios of Mount Athos
Encyclopedia
Elder Paisios of Mount Athos
, born Arsenios Eznepidis (1924–1994), was a well-known Eastern Orthodox monk from Farasa, Cappadocia
. He is famous for his spiritual teachings.
, shortly before the population exchange between Greece and Turkey
. Arsenios' name was given to him by St Arsenios the Cappadocian, who baptised him, named the child for himself and foretold Arsenios' monastic
future. After the exchange, the Eznepidis family settled in Konitsa, Epirus. Arsenios grew up here, and after intermediate public school, he learned carpentry.
During the civil war in Greece, Arsenios served as a radio operator. In 1950, this was accomplished, and he went to Mt Athos: first to Fr Kyril, the future abbot of Koutloumousiou monastery
, and then to Esphigmenou Monastery
(although he was not supportive of their later opposition to the Ecumenical Patriarchate).
Arsenios, having been a novice for four years, was tonsured a monk
and was given the name Averkios. Soon after, Fr Averkios went to the (then) idiorrhythmic brotherhood of Philotheou monastery
, where his uncle was a monk. While there, he was in obedience to Elder Symeon. In 1956, Elder Symeon was to tonsure Fr Averkios to the small schema, giving him the name Paisios.
On his return to Mt. Athos in 1964 Elder Paisios took up residence at the Skete of Iviron before moving to Katounakia at the southernmost tip of Mt. 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 desert. In 1966, he was operated on and had part of his lungs removed. It was during this time of hospitalization that his long friendship with the then young sisterhood of St. John the Theologian in Souroti, just outside of Thessaloniki, began. During his operation he greatly needed blood and it was then that a group of novices from the monastery donated blood to save him.
In 1968 he spent time at the Monastery of Stavronikita
.
http://elderpaisios.com/Life/lifetwo.htm
Mount Athos
Mount Athos is a mountain and peninsula in Macedonia, Greece. A World Heritage Site, it is home to 20 Eastern Orthodox monasteries and forms a self-governed monastic state within the sovereignty of the Hellenic Republic. Spiritually, Mount Athos comes under the direct jurisdiction of the...
, born Arsenios Eznepidis (1924–1994), was a well-known Eastern Orthodox monk from Farasa, Cappadocia
Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a historical region in Central Anatolia, largely in Nevşehir Province.In the time of Herodotus, the Cappadocians were reported as occupying the whole region from Mount Taurus to the vicinity of the Euxine...
. He is famous for his spiritual teachings.
Biography
On 25 July 1924, Arsenios Eznepidis was born in Farasa, CappadociaCappadocia
Cappadocia is a historical region in Central Anatolia, largely in Nevşehir Province.In the time of Herodotus, the Cappadocians were reported as occupying the whole region from Mount Taurus to the vicinity of the Euxine...
, shortly before the population exchange between Greece and Turkey
Population exchange between Greece and Turkey
The 1923 population exchange between Greece and Turkey was based upon religious identity, and involved the Greek Orthodox citizens of Turkey and the Muslim citizens of Greece...
. Arsenios' name was given to him by St Arsenios the Cappadocian, who baptised him, named the child for himself and foretold Arsenios' monastic
Monasticism
Monasticism is a religious way of life characterized by the practice of renouncing worldly pursuits to fully devote one's self to spiritual work...
future. After the exchange, the Eznepidis family settled in Konitsa, Epirus. Arsenios grew up here, and after intermediate public school, he learned carpentry.
During the civil war in Greece, Arsenios served as a radio operator. In 1950, this was accomplished, and he went to Mt Athos: first to Fr Kyril, the future abbot of Koutloumousiou monastery
Koutloumousiou monastery
Koutloumousiou monastery is an Eastern Orthodox monastery at the monastic state of Mount Athos in Greece. The monastery ranks sixth in the hierarchy of the Athonite monasteries....
, and then to Esphigmenou Monastery
Esphigmenou Monastery
Esphigmenou monastery is an Eastern Orthodox monastery in the monastic state of Mount Athos in Greece, dedicated to the Ascension of Christ. It is built next to the sea at the northern part of the Athonite peninsula. Located near the Hilandar monastery, it is the northernmost of all Athonite...
(although he was not supportive of their later opposition to the Ecumenical Patriarchate).
Arsenios, having been a novice for four years, was tonsured a monk
Monk
A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose...
and was given the name Averkios. Soon after, Fr Averkios went to the (then) idiorrhythmic brotherhood of Philotheou monastery
Philotheou monastery
Filotheou monastery is an Eastern Orthodox monastery at the monastic state of Mount Athos in Greece. It stands on the north-eastern side of the peninsula.It was founded by the Blessed Philotheus, in the end of the 10th century...
, where his uncle was a monk. While there, he was in obedience to Elder Symeon. In 1956, Elder Symeon was to tonsure Fr Averkios to the small schema, giving him the name Paisios.
Timeline
- 1958: Fr Paisios was asked to spend time in his home village to support the faithful against Protestantism.
- 1962: Fr Paisios went to Sinai.
- 1964: On his return to Mt Athos, Fr Paisios took up residence at the Skete of Iviron, then at Katounakia. His failing health may have led him to leave Katounakia.
- 1966: Fr Paisios had an operation, and part of his lungs were removed. During this time, his friendship with the sisterhood of St. John the Theologian, Souroti, began. Elder Paisios would place the relics of St Arsenios the Cappadocian in this monastery.
- 1968: Fr Paisios went to Stavronikita monasteryStavronikita monasteryStavronikita monastery is an Eastern Orthodox monastery at the monastic state of Mount Athos in Greece, dedicated to Saint Nicholas. It is built on top of a rock near the sea near the middle of the eastern shore of the Athonite peninsula, located between the monasteries of Iviron and Pantokratoros...
and helped in its spiritual and material renovation. While there, he was the disciple of Elder Tychon, who lived in the hermitage of the Holy Cross. Fr Paisios was then clothed in the Great Schema by Elder Tychon, and after Elder Tychon's repose, Fr Paisios resided in that hermitage. - 1979: Elder Paisios moved to Panagouda, a hermitage belonging to Koutloumousiou Monastery. It was here that his fame grew. Between prayer and assisting his visitors, he only rested for two or three hours each night.
- 1993 Oct 5: Elder Paisios left Mt Athos for medical attention. Despite his wish to be gone only a few days, he was diagnosed with cancer, requiring immediate surgery. After recovery, he was transferred to the Monastery of St. John the Theologian, Souroti.
- Despite wishing to return to Mt Athos, his health did not allow it.
- 1994 Jul 12: Having received Communion the previous day, Elder Paisios reposed and was buried at the Monastery in Souroti, next to the church of St Arsenios the Cappadocian.
Monastic Life
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. Afterwards, in 1962, he left to visit Sinai where he stayed for two years. During this time he became beloved of the Bedouins 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.On his return to Mt. Athos in 1964 Elder Paisios took up residence at the Skete of Iviron before moving to Katounakia at the southernmost tip of Mt. 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 desert. In 1966, he was operated on and had part of his lungs removed. It was during this time of hospitalization that his long friendship with the then young sisterhood of St. John the Theologian in Souroti, just outside of Thessaloniki, began. During his operation he greatly needed blood and it was then that a group of novices from the monastery donated blood to save him.
In 1968 he spent time at the Monastery of Stavronikita
Stavronikita monastery
Stavronikita monastery is an Eastern Orthodox monastery at the monastic state of Mount Athos in Greece, dedicated to Saint Nicholas. It is built on top of a rock near the sea near the middle of the eastern shore of the Athonite peninsula, located between the monasteries of Iviron and Pantokratoros...
.
http://elderpaisios.com/Life/lifetwo.htm
Translated into English
- Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian, 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.
- 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 of Mount Athos, translated into English and published in Feb 2002 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian", Souroti, Thessaloniki, Greece; distributed in the U.S.A. by St. Herman of Alaska Monastery.
- Spiritual Counsels, Vol. 1: With Pain and Love for Contemporary Man.
- Spiritual Counsels, Vol. 2: Spiritual Awakening, 1999 & 2000.
- Spiritual Counsels, Vol. 3: Spiritual Struggle, 2001.
Other sources
- 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.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 http://elderpaisios.com