Reverend Paisius the Holy Mountain. Icon of Elder Paisius the Holy Mountain

Life

Paisiy Svyatorets (Greek ΐ ί), since January 13, 2015, Venerable Paisiy of Athonite; in the world Arseniy Eznepidis, (Greek έ ί) was born on July 25, 1924 in Faras. Immediately after the birth of the future elder, a population exchange took place between Turkey and Greece. Arseny was baptized by Saint Arseny of Cappadocia, who predicted that he would be a monk.

In September the family moved to the city of Konitsa. Arseny graduated from school there and learned to be a carpenter.

In 1945, Arseny was drafted into the army for 3.5 years. In his service he distinguished himself for his good behavior and courage. After the army, Arseny immediately went to Holy Mount Athos. In 1950, he became a novice of the gracious confessor, Father Kirill, later abbot of the Kutlumush monastery (1968). Some time later Fr. Kirill sent the novice to the Esphigmen Monastery, where Arseny received the ryassophore with the name Averky in 1954. The new monk carried out any obediences, and, having completed his own, helped the other brothers complete their work. Averky constantly prayed, trying not to be noticed by others, and loved to read the lives of saints. In 1954, Averky, on the advice of his spiritual father, moved to the Philotheus monastery and became there a student of Father Simeon, known for his virtue. In 1956, Father Simeon tonsured Father Averky into the minor schema with the name Paisios, in honor of Metropolitan Paisios II of Caesarea, who was also a native of Farasa of Cappadocia. In the new place Fr. Paisius led his former life: he labored out of love and helped the brethren as much as he could. In 1958, he was asked from Stomio Konicka to come and help stop the spread of Protestants. The elder, having received internal notification of the will of God, went and lived in the monastery of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Stomio. There, with the help of God's grace, he helped thousands of souls and from there he went in 1962, for some spiritual reasons, to Sinai.

The elder worked a lot, and with the money he earned he bought food and distributed it to the Bedouins, who loved him very much. In 1964, the Elder returned to Athos and settled in the Iveron monastery. In 1966, the Elder fell ill and most of his lungs were taken away. Since May 1978, Fr. Paisius settled in the cell of Panaguda of the holy monastery of Kutlumush. Thousands of people flocked here to the Elder. Every day, from sunrise to sunset, he advised, consoled, solved people’s problems, banished all embarrassment and filled souls with faith, hope and love for God. For all of Greece, the Elder became a spiritual magnet, drawing out the sorrow of sick people. Accepting the hardships of the influx of people, the Elder little by little began to become physically exhausted. By 1993, the Elder’s condition became very serious. In October 1993, the Elder went from Mount Athos to the monastery of St. John the Theologian in Suroti. His health deteriorated catastrophically. On July 12, 1994, the Elder gave up his venerable soul to the Lord. The elder rested and was buried in the monastery of St. John the Theologian in Suroti Thessalonica and the place of his burial became a shrine for the entire Orthodox world.

On January 13, 2015, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate unanimously decided to canonize Elder Paisius of the Holy Mountain as a saint of the Orthodox Church.

Paisiy Svyatogorets (Greek: Παΐσιος Αγιορείτης), since January 13, 2015, Venerable Paisiy of Athonite; in the world Arseniy Eznepidis, (Greek Αρσένιος Εζνεπίδης) was born on July 25, 1924 in Faras. Immediately after the birth of the future elder, a population exchange took place between Turkey and Greece. Arseny was baptized by Saint Arseny of Cappadocia, who predicted that he would be a monk.

In September the family moved to the city of Konitsa. Arseny graduated from school there and learned to be a carpenter.

In 1945, Arseny was drafted into the army for 3.5 years. In his service he distinguished himself for his good behavior and courage. After the army, Arseny immediately went to Holy Mount Athos. In 1950, he became a novice of the gracious confessor, Father Kirill, later abbot of the Kutlumush monastery († 1968). Some time later Fr. Kirill sent the novice to the Esphigmen Monastery, where Arseny received the ryassophore with the name Averky in 1954. The new monk carried out any obedience, and, having completed his own, helped the other brothers to finish their work. Averky constantly prayed, trying not to be noticed by others, and loved to read the lives of saints. In 1954, Averky, on the advice of his spiritual father, moved to the Philotheus monastery and there became a student of Father Simeon, known for his virtue. In 1956, Father Simeon tonsured Father Averky into the minor schema with the name Paisios, in honor of Metropolitan Paisios II of Caesarea, who was also a native of Farasa of Cappadocia. In the new place Fr. Paisius led his former life: he labored out of love and helped the brethren as much as he could. In 1958, he was asked from Stomio Konicka to come and help stop the spread of Protestants. The elder, having received an internal “notification” of the will of God, went and lived in the monastery of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Stomio. There, with the help of God's grace, he helped thousands of souls and from there he went in 1962, for some spiritual reasons, to Sinai.

The elder worked a lot, and with the money he earned he bought food and distributed it to the Bedouins, who loved him very much. In 1964, the Elder returned to Athos and settled in the Iveron monastery. In 1966, the Elder fell ill and most of his lungs were taken away. Since May 1978, Fr. Paisius settled in the cell of Panaguda of the holy monastery of Kutlumush. Thousands of people flocked here to the Elder. Every day, from sunrise to sunset, he advised, consoled, solved people’s problems, banished all embarrassment and filled souls with faith, hope and love for God. For all of Greece, the Elder became a spiritual magnet, drawing out the sorrow of sick people. Accepting the hardships of the influx of people, the Elder little by little began to become physically exhausted. By 1993, the Elder’s condition became very serious. In October 1993, the Elder went from Mount Athos to the monastery of St. John the Theologian in Suroti. His health deteriorated catastrophically. On July 12, 1994, the Elder gave up his venerable soul to the Lord. The elder rested and was buried in the monastery of St. John the Theologian in Suroti Thessalonica and the place of his burial became a shrine for the entire Orthodox world.

Saint Paisios is known for his righteous life, honesty and selfless help to all those in need. In front of his icon, everyone can pray for the acquisition peace of mind and wisdom.

The Monk Paisius was distinguished by great humility; he performed feats of fasting and prayer, but whenever possible he hid them from outsiders. When asked by the monks which virtue is higher than all, the monk answered: “The one that is done in secret and about which no one knows.”

History of the icon

The icon “Paisius the Great” depicts a Christian saint who was born in Egypt in the 4th century after the Nativity of Christ. During his lifetime, the venerable saint lost his father early, and his mother decided to send him to serve in the church after an Angel appeared to her. He told the inconsolable widow that the merciful Lord would take care of the children who had lost their father, and advised one of them to be given to the service of the Lord. Having reached adulthood, Paisius took monastic vows from the ascetic St. Pavme in the Nitrian desert. The novice adhered to all the instructions, kept himself strictly and often talked with the prophet Jeremiah, who appeared to reveal great secrets and prophecies. Over time, Paisius went into the desert, where he dug a cave with his own hands and was content with an ascetic life. Over time, disciples flocked to him, and a monastery was erected on the site of the cave, where Paisius shared his wisdom Orthodox life with his novices. The saint died in old age, and his relics were transferred to the Pelusiot monastery in Asia Minor.

Where is the icon

There are churches erected in honor of St. Paisius the Great in the city of Krasnodar (a chapel of the same name in the Lenin farmstead), in the Moscow region, Ramensky district of Mikhailovskaya Sloboda (the church of the same name), in the city of Miass Chelyabinsk region, in the Yaroslavl region, in Varnitsy, in Uglich. In these churches and many others you can venerate the icon of the saint.

Description of the icon of Paisius the Great

Since ancient times, Paisius the Great has been depicted as an old man dressed in monastic robes. In many icons he holds a scroll in his hands. There are icons in which Paisius is represented praying to Jesus and surrounded by Angels.

What does an icon help with?

Before the face of Saint Paisius, spouses whose family life has cracked ask for help. The desire to protect the family often leads couples to this miraculous face.

The image of Paisius helps everyone to establish themselves in the true Orthodox faith and begin the righteous path, repenting of your sins.

The saint helps to understand inner world, find the strength to fight temptations, bring feelings and emotions to harmony.

Many Orthodox Christians turn to Paisius the Great with pressing questions and concerns when they themselves are at a fork in the road. According to legends that have come down to our times, the saint had the gift of foresight and could predict the events that awaited everyone.

They turn to the elder for advice on how to live further, or ask for guidance in solving a difficult matter.

Prayers before the image

“Conqueror of earthly passions, savior of everyone, Rev. Paisius! We appeal to You in prayer. Do not reject our words, coming from the depths of our hearts. Help, Reverend Father, to understand pressing matters, and do not leave sincere requests unanswered and without help. Guide us on the true path, and illuminate the darkness around us with the true Divine light. Pray to our Lord for the forgiveness of our sins, of which we repent, and protect us from all evil that seduces us from our path. Amen".

Days of Honor

The memory of St. Paisius is celebrated on July 2 (June 19, old style). On this day, Orthodox Christians participate in prayer services and offer prayers glorifying the Great Paisius, a true believer.

Everyone can offer prayers to the venerable elder and hope that life will sparkle with new colors. After all, the main thing in prayers is not the words themselves, but their meaning. True faith will become for everyone a guiding thread leading to righteous happy life.Be happy and don't forget to press the buttons and

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In the first week (Sunday) of Great Lent, the Orthodox Church prayerfully celebrates the Triumph of Orthodoxy. This holiday is especially revered on Holy Mount Athos, where a large number of miraculous icons.

As you know, the celebration of the Triumph of Orthodoxy was established in Byzantium in the 9th century, in memory of the victory over the iconoclastic heresy, whose supporters tried to destroy Orthodox Church from the inside.

Today it's hard to imagine Orthodox church without icons. However, in the 8th century, the iconoclastic heresy and its supporters almost gained the upper hand, brutally persecuting Orthodox Christians by force of state power. The church turmoil lasted for more than 100 years. The monasteries of the Holy Mount Athos, which strictly adhered to the ancient tradition of holy icon veneration, also suffered a lot from it. Therefore, we can say that the feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy is both the feast of the triumph of Athonite monasticism and the entire Church of Christ.

The Orthodox portal “Russian Athos” has prepared a selection of teachings by St. Paisius of the Holy Mountain about the veneration of icons and reverent attitude towards them.

1. When a Christian reverently kisses holy images and asks for help from Christ, from the Mother of God, from the saints, then he kisses with his heart, which absorbs not only the Grace of Christ, the Mother of God or the saints, but all of Christ or the Most Holy Theotokos or saints who stand in the iconostasis of its inner temple.

2. Man is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Look, every service begins and ends with the kissing of icons. If people understood this, then how much joy they would feel, how much strength they would receive!

3. When we see holy icons, our heart should overflow with love for God and the saints, and we should fall before them, worship them and kiss them with much reverence. If you saw one reverent old monk from the Philotheus monastery - Father Savva: with how much reverence, with what tenderness and love he venerated the icon Holy Mother of God"Sweet Kiss"! There was even a bump on this icon of the Mother of God, because the fathers kissed it in the same place.

4. If a reverent person kisses an icon, his kissing can be heard. And then the lips are euphonious. When the mouth is said to be "dumb," it does not mean that it is blasphemous. But some lips are silent, while others are euphonious. If someone has no reverence and venerates icons, then aren’t his lips dumb, soundless? And aren’t the lips of a reverent person euphonious when he kisses holy images?

5. The whole basis is reverence. Someone just touches the wall against which the icon was leaning and already receives Grace, while someone may have the best icon, but not receive any benefit, because he has no reverence. One can benefit from an ordinary cross, while another, lacking reverence, will not benefit from the Life-Giving Tree itself.

6. A reverent person especially reveres icons. By saying “he reveres the icons,” we mean that he reveres the one who is depicted on it. If a person, having a photograph of his father, mother, grandfather, grandmother or brother, cannot tear it or step on it, then isn’t this much more true of an icon!

7. I once asked one Jehovah’s Witness: “Don’t you have photographs in your houses?” “Yes,” he answered. “Okay,” I say, “doesn’t a mother, when her child is away for a long time, kiss his photograph?” “Kisses,” says the Jehovah’s Witness. “What is she kissing: paper or her child?” “My child,” he answers. “Well,” I say, “just as she, kissing a photograph of her child, kisses him himself, and not the paper, so we kiss Christ, and not the paper or the board.”

8. One monk prepared an icon of St. Nicholas for someone as a blessing: he wrapped it in good paper and put it in the closet for a while. But due to inattention, he placed the icon upside down. Soon a knock was heard in the room. The monk began to look here and there to understand where the knocking was coming from. But would you guess that it comes from the closet! The knocking continued quite for a long time: "Here-here-here!" and did not give the monk peace. Finally, approaching the closet, the monk realized that the knocking was coming from inside. He opened the cabinet and saw that the knocking came from the package with the icon. “What’s wrong with the icon?” the monk was surprised. “Let me see.” Having unfolded the icon, I saw that it was standing upside down. Then he placed it properly, and the noise immediately stopped.

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