The Hermitess Photini

by Joachim Spetsieris

This is the incredible true story of Photini, a young woman who lived in disguise as a man a hundred years ago. Aflame with love for God, she abandoned the world to live as a hermit. She journeyed beyond the Jordan River and found a cave where she lived in complete seclusion, unkown to the world. But her secret life was providentially discoverd by Father Joachim in his quest to find holy hermits. Int his inspiring book of his, he describes is encounter with the hermitess and tells her life's adventure. This unique book has great spiritual worth since it is not merely a captivating store, but it also includes Photini's deep insights about life and the struggle for spiritual perfection.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Christianity, Faith

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Jess the Shelf-Declared Bibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s difficult for me to even gather my thoughts into words. Photini was truly a soul far too pure for this world. Her strength and devotion is awe inspiring, and I can’t imagine the blessings she’s enjoying in heaven.

[Mark Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful and pure Saint how lovely she is to labor so hard for the bridegroom of her soul Jesus Christ.

[Fotini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I take so much comfort in this. I will be back for sure!

[Stephen Crawford · Rating 3 out of 5]

The overall story is good, but in the beginning her constant lies and dressing as a boy really got under my skin. It was long before she became a hermit in the wilderness, but it still bugs me a lot.

[EC · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written book on the life & times of hermitess Photini. Published in English by Saint Anthony's Monastery in Arizona. God bless you all.

[Seton Catholic Central High]

This is an amazing true story about a young women who lived her life as a man a hundred years ago.Aflame with love for God,she gave up all her life to God praying. While she was travelling passing the Jordan River she discovered a cave and made it as her shelter for the years that left for her life. She survived in the wilderness alone.By her strong faith and her prayers she vanquished the demons and rose to spiritual heights.Her secret life was discovered by Father Joachim in his quest to find holy hermits. In this book he's describing her life in the cave and her adventures. Reading this story and knowing that there are some people who gave up their lives for God,praying for him to win the heavens make you realize that God does really exist and we should believe in him and pray for him.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't love this book as it started, but found as it went along that it became more and more inspiring. There were a couple of big takeaways for me, the first was a realization of how important the cycle of prayer and following the services of the day is. The second was the beauty of the natural world, and the way that we need to cultivate our lives within its beauty.

It ended as a four star read.

[Wajdi Smirat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring...

[David Danao · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book!

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book!