Epistles
“Woe and thrice woe to those bronze-like people who having been polished by some people fool the world into thinking that they are gold. (It is in this category that I, wretched Paisios, am also found. Pray for me.)“
Published by the Holy Hesychasterion “Evangelist John the Theologian”, Vasilika, Thessaloniki, Greece
Softcover, 296 Pages
3rd edition (revised) 2021
Illustrated with icons from the Holy Monastery.
The Sisterhood that was blessed with St. Paisios as their Spiritual Father for 28 years compiled this book as directed by the Saint himself a few months before his repose. These are Epistles the Elder sent from the Holy Mountain to the Sisterhood in the 1970s, to assist the nuns with their spiritual struggle. In this English translation, the nuns have diligently preserved the graceful and lively style of the Elder and his words replete with divine meaning, and have conveyed the peace and divine solace which the Elder imparted to the soul of his inquirer.
Excerpts from the text:
“The purified monk, who in this life, is clothed in the black shroud (raso),who becomes dead once and for all to the world and is inwardly clothed in repentance through the Mystery of the Angelic Schema, has achieved the greatest miracle of his life. It is not necessary for him to achieve other miracles in his life.”
“Furthermore, if you wish to remain at peace, do not read books or pamphlets which incite insurrection and mention Church matters because you are not qualified for such serious affairs. You require books that will assist in your repentance. If you want to help the Church, correct yourself, and immediately a small part of the Church is corrected. Naturally, if everyone did this, then the Church would be in good order.”
“A monk once asked him:
‘Geronda, when I was in the world I was better. Now that I have come to the monastery, I am worse. Why is that?’
He answered:
‘This is true, my brother; for in the world you compared yourself with the worldly, whereas in the monastery you compare yourself with the saints’.”
