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Elder Paisios of Mount Athos
Elder Paisios of Mount Athos (1924-1994) is one of the greatest and most revered Elders of the Orthodox Church of our time. This biography, written by his close spiritual disciple Elder Isaac and universally recognized as the most authoritative account of his life, has been reprinted numerous times in numerous languages. The life and virtues of the elder are exhaustively and accurately sketched in profound simplicity, revealing the spiritual brilliance which shone forth from his heart, enveloping on all who drew near.
In part one, we are led step by step through the development of a contemporary saint: from his origins in Cappadocia and early spiritual zeal, through his monastic beginnings in the monastery and ascetic struggles on Athos and Sinai, to his outpouring of spiritual consolation to his fellow man and his blessed repose in the Lord. In part two, we are presented with the full spectrum of his spiritual personality: his virtues, way of life, spiritual gifts, self-offering and teaching.
The life of Elder Paisios of Mount Athos resembles a garden adorned with countless flowers in bloom, radiant and colourful, beautiful to the eyes of man's spiritual heart, letting off an otherworldly aroma of holiness. The reader is invited to enter into his life and words, to "lay aside all earthly cares", to see life from the divine perspective, to understand the mystery of the Gospel by standing under, submitting and entrusting oneself to experience and wisdom this God-bearing Holy Father.
In part one, we are led step by step through the development of a contemporary saint: from his origins in Cappadocia and early spiritual zeal, through his monastic beginnings in the monastery and ascetic struggles on Athos and Sinai, to his outpouring of spiritual consolation to his fellow man and his blessed repose in the Lord. In part two, we are presented with the full spectrum of his spiritual personality: his virtues, way of life, spiritual gifts, self-offering and teaching.
The life of Elder Paisios of Mount Athos resembles a garden adorned with countless flowers in bloom, radiant and colourful, beautiful to the eyes of man's spiritual heart, letting off an otherworldly aroma of holiness. The reader is invited to enter into his life and words, to "lay aside all earthly cares", to see life from the divine perspective, to understand the mystery of the Gospel by standing under, submitting and entrusting oneself to experience and wisdom this God-bearing Holy Father.
752 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 24, 2023
Every Orthodox Christian should read this wonderful account of the life, teachings and miracles of one of our greatest modern day saints.
March 2, 2013
A must read for any contemporary Orthodox Christian. It's seven hundred pages long and WELL worth the cover price. Though uncanonized, some have called him the greatest saint of our times. I'm not one to say that one holy person is better than another, but I can say with certainty that Elder Paisios was and remains a beacon of light in a dark and darkening age.
May 16, 2012
Elder Paisios is one of (if not THE) most famous Elders of our days, and rightly so. [Let me note now that I will be referring to Elder Paisios frequently as a Saint of the Church. This is not technically true in that he has not been canonized by the Orthodox Church, but I believe it will be true one day.]
This book does an excellent job of outlining the life and works of the Elder, and truly shows us one of Christ's Saints in action. There really aren't words to do the Elder justice, so I will just say that if you want to get an in depth look at a life of a modern Saint then look no further.
It's one thing to read a brief life of a Saint from a thousand years ago, but quite another to read the life of one so close to us in time. To me, the temporal nearness makes him all the more real and inspiring. The Elder fought in wars that we would be familiar with, he was of the modern world just like we are, but he transcended that world, and cast it off in favor of better things. The Elder should serve as an example to all who would call themselves Christians.
I certainly hope his example will inspire me to pray more, to be more disciplined, and in general to more fully and truly live the life of Christ that I claim to be a part of. Because that's what the Elder did - he put on Christ as surely as anyone ever has, and the happenings in this book and the testimonies given should spur us on to do the same.
Aside from the subject matter I would point out that the book itself is very well written. I never found myself yawning through some ponderously boring section of details that I struggled to recall later. The book reads well, is memorable in all respects, and the pages turn so fast you'll wonder how you made it through a 700+ page book in so little time! The way the book is divided into his life, the themes of his teachings, 'miraculous' events, etc, are all very well done.
This book goes in the favorite pile and will definitely make another appearance soon!
This book does an excellent job of outlining the life and works of the Elder, and truly shows us one of Christ's Saints in action. There really aren't words to do the Elder justice, so I will just say that if you want to get an in depth look at a life of a modern Saint then look no further.
It's one thing to read a brief life of a Saint from a thousand years ago, but quite another to read the life of one so close to us in time. To me, the temporal nearness makes him all the more real and inspiring. The Elder fought in wars that we would be familiar with, he was of the modern world just like we are, but he transcended that world, and cast it off in favor of better things. The Elder should serve as an example to all who would call themselves Christians.
I certainly hope his example will inspire me to pray more, to be more disciplined, and in general to more fully and truly live the life of Christ that I claim to be a part of. Because that's what the Elder did - he put on Christ as surely as anyone ever has, and the happenings in this book and the testimonies given should spur us on to do the same.
Aside from the subject matter I would point out that the book itself is very well written. I never found myself yawning through some ponderously boring section of details that I struggled to recall later. The book reads well, is memorable in all respects, and the pages turn so fast you'll wonder how you made it through a 700+ page book in so little time! The way the book is divided into his life, the themes of his teachings, 'miraculous' events, etc, are all very well done.
This book goes in the favorite pile and will definitely make another appearance soon!
October 27, 2014
Elder Paisios is one of the greatest fathers of Christianity. This book inspired me, gave me a different view of life, made me think and reconsider about everything. It really touched my heart. Loved it.
December 12, 2018
I would not recommend this as an introduction to orthodoxy or the saints. But for those who are already orthodox or familiar with orthodoxy, this is an excellent choice. Part biography, part spiritual, part history. Well written and translated, easy to read especially since St. Paisios was a man of our modern era.
April 19, 2021
I dont normally reread books, I will with this one. I read it for lent and tried to read a little each day. I just finished and I want to keep reading, so I will start over!
Amazing book, easy to read, and very inspiring!
Amazing book, easy to read, and very inspiring!
May 28, 2024
I took almost exactly a year to finish this book because I never wanted it to end. Every page was as rich as pure, dark chocolate and as hearty as a filet mignon. We are blessed to have Saint Paisios’s writings and accounts for us to read. Saint Paisios, pray for us!
April 26, 2019
A book of applied theology at it's best. Easy to read, inspiring, slightly conservative but still without filters. If men of god exist, this guy is the top dog. Essential.
November 27, 2020
He is a role model how a Christian should be
May 15, 2025
Nothing ever can defeat Experience.....which our current ungrateful world including myself will never ever be able to Fathom.....
July 9, 2018
Fantastic book! The life of St Paisios is one which encourages, and never discourages, the readers to follow his example, because he follows Christ. His life is also a teaching of the Gospel way, and all sorts of subjects are covered, from issues that relate to the Church to Christian teachings on politics and patriotism. I hope to reread this in a year or so.
January 21, 2019
St. Paisios, please pray for us.
January 8, 2020
This saint's life is and will continue to be inspiring! Glory to God!
January 24, 2025
✨10/10 Perfect in every sense of the word.
April 19, 2017
If you love someone, try getting this book in their hands.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews