Tears of Repentance - True Experiences in a Greek Taxi Cab

by Athanasios Katigas

Athanasios Katigas of Sykies (suburb of Thessaloniki, Greece), answered the divine call to a life of repentance after the fervent prayers of his quadriplegic childhood friend Savvas, and the sound instruction of a lay preacher, Panagiotis Panagiotides. Thanasi used the therapeutic discipline of our Church, to free himself from the nets of human passions by practicing strict obedience under his seasoned spiritual father Triantafyllos Xeros. Thanasi's love for Christ did not permit him to leave our Lord at home (as most of us do), but he took Him along on his daily route as a Cab driver. Thanasi's zeal for the word of God initiated hundreds of spiritual conversations, awakenings and transformations in his cab, with clients from all walks of life. Thanasi's genuine simplicity, a simplicity likened to the fishermen of Galilee served as pure oxygen for hundreds of souls that shared the space of his taxi, some battered and gasping for air from the oxidants of the secular lifestyle. In "The Tears of Repentance", printed multiple times in Greece, and hailed by dozens of Bishops, Thanasi relives some of the most intriguing personal and life changing encounters in his 25 year taxi career.

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Maria Arsene · Rating 5 out of 5]

DECI FENOMENAL!
O carte pfooiii meritaa citită!
Promit eu ca nu veti regreta!

[Carlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want brave stories of inspiring, right in your face Orthodoxy? Read this book. Mr. Katigas is a gutsy cab driving who talks real life and real spirituality with lucky enough and unlucky enough to get into his cab. Each section is another brilliant story about the sometimes breathtaking, sometimes heartbreaking people he meets and plotlines that unfold as man's free will meets God's divine love and Mr. Katigas' radio broadcasts. Serendipity winds through it all as does the taxi driver's own personal story which is humble enough and yet uplifting enough to inspire even if were the only material. This is real faith, real Greek religion and real stories of the messes we get ourselves into and that God is in the business of getting us out of. You'll want a holy taxi driver to pick you up the next time you're standing at the end of the road with nothing left, or the kind of brave words in your mouth that our hero spouts or at least a sequel! I'm awfully glad I read it. I might need to buy my own copy.

[I'm Daria · Rating 5 out of 5]

FĂRĂ CUVINTE!!!😍 CARTE care m-a provocat la introspecție duhovnicească! CUVINTE SPUSE CU DRAGOSTE ÎNTRU HRISTOS ȘI SEMENI!!🥰 Cu adevărat folositoare pentru sufletul omului contemporan!🙏🙏🙏

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Athanasios Katigas is a taxi driver in Thessaloniki. Poorly educated, nevertheless he is rich in faith and strives to be a God-fearing man to all who flag down his taxi. The example of his faith speaks to many who ride with him.

[Vasilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very moving book.

[Saint Katherine BookstoreVA]

Tears of Repentance is an autobiographical book by a taxi driver in Greece and his interactions with his passengers, neighbors, and family. The stories are inspiring to read, especially because they provide real-life examples of opportunities for repentance and Christian love.

Throughout the book, Katigas shares the reasons he was inspired to lead a humble Christian life and demonstrates his yearning to be more Christ-like. For example, he describes growing up in an impoverished neighborhood, how he was the “dimwit” of his school, struggling with his extended family, and dealing with a neighbor who made his life miserable. Understanding his personal background adds depth to his stories and makes his interactions with others very meaningful
.
Katigas has an impact on his passengers because he is compassionate and helps them with their burdens. Among those he helps are a prostitute, a gambler, a doctor, and a little boy. He guides them to repentance and encourages them to follow God’s commandments.

My favorite story is about a neighbor who was a drug addict. The father of two little girls, he was bedridden due to drug use, but Katigas offers to help him and his family. Katigas brings a priest to pray for him and administer the sacrament of Confession. He then takes his neighbor to Mount Athos for additional spiritual healing. Eventually the man recovers, finds a job, and lives a happy life.
The book
shows the beauty of how each one of us can make a difference in other people’s lives. However, you are left wondering whether all the individuals he helps during brief taxi cab rides actually go on to turn their lives around.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a moving book. It really wakes up your consciousness related to your soul and to its relation with God, its creator.

It is a great book. I strongly recommend it.

E o carte extraordinara, ce merită citită și recitita.
In lumea in care traim, astfel de cărți te țin conectat cu modul normal de a fi și îți dau curajul sa iti exprimi credinta prin modul tau de a trai.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, I loved it.

[natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

naprawdę piękna książka, bardzo inspirująca i wartościowa