Published by the Holy Hesychasterion “Evangelist John the Theologian”, Vasilika, Thessaloniki, Greece
Softcover, 247 Pages, illustrated
3rd edition, 2016
Saint Paisios had collected snippets about holy Athonite fathers throughout his monastic life, and only in his later years did he realize the significance of this endeavor, stating :
“The terrible worldly spirit which prevails in modern man, who has directed his every effort towards how to live better, with greater ease and less exertion, has also, unfortunately, affected most spiritual people, who, in turn, attempt to become holy with less effort…”.
He witnessed young men coming to the Holy Mountain ready to undertake their struggle, but then not finding “…appropriate spiritual leaven; hence, that spiritual dough does not rise and ends up like unleavened bread.” He lamented that it never occurred to him to make more notes of the miracles and feats of the Elders, “…because you would have thought that that patristic way of living would continue”, and that the miracles which seemed commonplace even a short time ago were now “…considered fairy tales from bygone days”. Much of this he blamed on education, which was now “…taught in the spirit of atheism and not in the spirit of God…”.
“In order to provide a more vivid picture of Grace, and so that readers can better understand the patristic spirit that reigned a few years ago…”, the Saint has gathered here recollections of his encounters with these holy Elders, and stories of holy Elders, from the time period circa 1840 through 1980:
“I got to know many of them quite well, but I, unfortunately, have not imitated them, which is why I now feel that I am so far from them. I pray, however, with all my heart, that all who read abut their godly exploits will imitate them and beg them to also pray for me, wretched Paisios. Amen.”
A word of caution to the reader
As an aside, the reader should understand that this text presents an “ideal” which is difficult for modern man to emulate. Just as St. Anthony the Great 1,700 years ago told his disciple that the monks of the end times would have a greater reward than they, because they would be struggling in the world, with few examples around them to emulate, so too St. Paisios was feeling this keen lack of proficient monks around him. I caution readers to not be as those who read the book about monastic life, then feel they have to go to the monastery to teach the monastics how to be monastic, all the while living their own lives in self-indulgence, comfort and pleasures, where even the pilgrimage to the monastery becomes an entertainment to divert their attention from their worldly lives. Also, one must understand that there is not a “one size fits all” approach to monastic life: monastic life is experiential and one cannot understand it unless one is actively engaged in living it. There are monastics living in caves and in palaces and everything in between – and there always have been. Rather, I urge readers to be edified by these stories of blessed strugglers and in turn, strengthen their resolve to support the monasteries who are all trying, in their own way, to perpetuate Orthodox Christian monastic life and to preserve authentic Christian culture.
