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[[Image:Elder Paisios of Mount Athos.jpg|right|thumb|210px|Elder [[Paisios (Eznepidis)]] of Mount Athos.]][[Image:Paisiostomb.JPG|right|thumbnail|Tomb of Elder Paisios]][[Image:PaisiosPlaque.JPG|right|thumbnail|Plaque at tomb]]'''Paisios (Eznepidis)''', the '''Elder Paisiosof Mount Athos''' , (Greek: Γέροντας Παΐσιος ο Αγιορείτης) was a monastic of [[Mount Athos]]. An [[asceticism|Mount Athosascetic]] (Greek: Γέροντος Παϊσίου του Αγιορείτου) is probably the biggest legacy , he was known by his visitors for his gentle manner and acceptance of the Orthodox world those who came to receive his advice, counsel, and blessing. His words of the 20th century after Saint Nektarios. Elder Paisios is considered by the Orthodox as a contemporary saintcounsel continue to be published. [http://noctoc-noctoc.blogspot.com/2008/08/elder-panteleimon-of-hamatouraa-hidden.html?showComment=1217990940000]

==BiographyLife==On Arsenios Eznepidis was born on [[July 25]], Arsenios Eznepidis was born 1924 to pious parents in the town of Farasa, Cappadociaof Asia Minor, shortly before the population exchange between Greece and Turkeyfollowing the Greco-Turkish War of 1919-1922. Arsenios' name was given to him by St . [[Arsenios the Cappadocian]], who baptised baptized him, named the child for himself and foretold Arsenios' [[monasticism|monastic]] future. After Very shortly after his [[baptism]] the exchange, young Arsenios and his family were forced to leave Asia Minor in accordance the peace Treaty of Lausanne. St. Arsenios guided his flock along a 400-mile trek to Greece. The Eznepidis family finally settled in the town of Konitsain Epirus in northwestern Greece. As he had prophesied, EpirusSt. Arsenios reposed forty days after the group settled in Greece, leaving, as his spiritual heir, the infant Arsenios. Arsenios grew up here, in Konitsa and learned carpentry after completing intermediate public school, he learned carpentry.

During the civil war in Greecefollowing World War II, Arsenios served as a radio operator. He worried While concerned about his compatriots who had family, whereas he didn't worry for himself because he was single and had no children. He was noted for his bravery, self-sacrifice and moral righteousness. After the civil war ended, he wanted to begin the enter a monastic life, but had to provide for consider his sisters, who were as yet unmarried. In By 1950, this was accomplished, and he went to Mt Athos: first to Fr Kyril, the had provided for his sisters' future abbot of [[Koutloumousiou Monastery (Athos)]], and then to [[Esphigmenou Monastery (Athos)|Esphigmenou Monastery]] (although he was not supportive of their later opposition free to the [[Church of Constantinople|Ecumenical Patriarchate]])begin his monastic vocation.

He arrived on [[Mount Athos]] in 1950, first to Fr. Kyril, the future [[abbot]] of [[Koutloumousiou Monastery (Athos)|Koutloumousiou Monastery]], and then to [[Esphigmenou Monastery (Athos)|Esphigmenou Monastery]]. In 1954, Arsenios, having been a [[novice ]] for four years, was tonsured [[tonsure]]d a [[monk]] and was given the name Averkios. Soon after, Fr Averkios went to the (then) He was a conscientious [[idiorrhythmicmonk]] brotherhood of [[Philotheou Monastery , finding ways to both complete his obediences (Athoswhich required contact with others)|Philotheou]]and to preserve his silence, where so as to progress in the art of prayer. He was always selfless in helping his uncle brethren. He was a monkunwilling to rest while others worked (though he may have already completed his own obediences) as he loved his brothers greatly and without distinction. While thereIn addition to his ascetic struggles and the common life in the [[monastery]], he was in obedience to Elder Symeonspiritually enriched through the reading of soul-profiting books. In 1956particular, he read the lives of the Saints, Elder Symeon was to tonsure Fr Averkios to the [[small schemaGerontikon]], giving him and especially the name Paisios[[Ascetical Homilies]] of St. [[Isaac the Syrian]].[http://elderpaisios.com/Life/index.htm]s.

===Timeline===*1958: Fr Paisios was asked to spend time in Soon after his home village to support the faithful against [[Protestant]]ism.*1962: Fr Paisios went to Sinai.*1964: On his return to Mt Athostonsure, Fr Paisios took up residence at monk Averkios left Esphigmenou and joined the then idiorhythmic brotherhood of [[Skete of Iviron Philotheou Monastery (Athos)|Skete of IvironPhilotheou Monastery]], then at [[Katounakia (Athos)|Katounakia]]where his uncle was a monk. His failing health may have led He placed himself under obedience to the Elder Symeon, who gave him to leave Katounakiathe Small Schema in 1956, with the new name Paisios.*1966: Fr . Paisios had an operation, dwelt deeply on the thought that his own spiritual failures and part lack of his lungs love were removed. During this time, his friendship with the sisterhood cause of [[Monastery of St. John the Theologian (Souroti, Greece)|St. John the Theologian]], Sourotihis neighbor's shortcomings, began. Elder Paisios would place the relics as well as of St Arsenios the Cappadocian in this monasteryworld's ills.*1968: Fr Paisios went He harshly accused himself and pushed himself to [[Stavronikita Monastery (Athos)|Stavronikita Monastery]] greater self-denial and helped in its spiritual more fervent prayer for his soul and material renovationfor the whole world. While there, he was He also cultivated the disciple habit of Elder [[Tychon seeking the Athonite|Tychon]], who lived in the hermitage of the Holy Cross. Fr Paisios was then clothed in the Great Schema by Elder Tychon, "good reason" for a potentially scandalous event and after Elder Tychonfor people's repose, Fr Paisios resided in that hermitageactions. In this way he preserved himself from judging others.*1979: Elder Paisios moved to PanagoudaFor example, a hermitage belonging pilgrims to Koutloumousiou MonasteryMt. It was here that his fame grew. Between prayer Athos who had been scandalized by the strange behavior and assisting his visitors, he only rested for two or three hours each night.*1993 Oct 5: stories told by a certain monk would when they met Elder Paisios left Mt Athos for medical attention. Despite his wish to be gone only a few days, he asked him what was diagnosed wrong with cancer, requiring immediate surgery. After recovery, he was transferred to the Monastery of Stmonk. John the Theologian, Souroti.:Despite wishing to return He warned them not to Mt Athosjudge others, his health did not allow it.*1994 Jul 12: Having received Communion the previous day, Elder Paisios reposed and that this monk was actually virtuous and was buried at the Monastery in Sourotisimply pretending to be a fool when visitors would come, next so as to the church of St Arsenios the Cappadocianpreserve his silence.

==Early life==On July 25In 1958, 1924 the future Elder Paisios (Eznepidis) was born asked to pious parents spend some time in and around his home village so as to support the town faithful against the proselytism of FarasaProtestant groups. He greatly encouraged the faithful there, helping many people. Later, Cappadocia of Asia Minorin 1962, he visited [[St. The familyCatherine's spiritual father, the priest monk Arsenios Monastery (the now canonized St. [[Arsenios of CappadociaSinai)|Sinai]]), baptized the babe with his name, prophesying his future profession as monkwhere he stayed for two years. A week after the baptism (and barely a month after his birth) Arsenios was driven, along with his family, out During this time he became beloved of Asia Minor by the Turks. St. Arsenios guided Bedouins who benefited both spiritually as well as materially from his flock along their 400-mile trek to Greecepresence. After a number of stops along The Elder used the way, Arsenios' family finally ended up in money he received from the town sale of Konitsa in Epiros (northwestern Greece). St. Arsenios had reposed, as he had prophesied, forty days after their establishment in Greece, and he left as his spiritual heir the infant Arsenioscarved wooden handicraft to buy them food.

The young Arsenios was wholly given over In 1964, on his return to Mt. Athos, Elder Paisios took up residence at the Skete of [[Iviron Monastery (Athos)|Iviron]] before moving to God and spent his free time Katounakia at the southernmost tip of Mt. Athos for a short stay in the silence desert there. The Elder's failing health may have been part of nature, where he would pray the reason for hours on end. Having completed his elementary education, he learned departure from the trade of carpentrydesert. He worked as In 1966, a carpenter until part of his mandatory military servicelungs was removed during an operation. He served in the Army It was during this time of hospitalization that his long friendship began with the dangerous days young sisterhood of St. [[Apostle John|John the end Theologian]] in Souroti, just outside of World War IIThessaloniki. Arsenios During his operation he greatly needed blood and it was brave and self-sacrificing, always desiring to put his own life at risk so as then that a group of novices from the monastery donated blood to spare his brothersave him. He Elder Paisios was particularly concerned about most grateful, and after his fellow soldiers who had left wives recovery, he did whatever he could, materially and children spiritually, to servehelp them build their [[monastery]].

Having completed his obligation to his country, Arsenios received his discharge in 1949 and greatly desired to begin his monastic life on the Holy Mountain. Before being able to settle there, howeverIn 1968, he had to fulfil his responsibility to his family, to look after his sisters, who were as yet unmarried. Having provided for his sisters' future, he was free to begin his monastic vocation with a clean conscience. He arrived on Mt. Athos in 1950, when he learned his first lessons in the monastic way from resided at the virtuous ascetic Fr. Kyril (the future abbot of [[Koutloumousiou Stavronikita Monastery]]), but was unable to stay by his side as he had hoped, and so was sent to the [[Monastery of Esphigmenou]]. He was a novice there for four years, after which he was tonsured a monk in 1954 with the name Averkios. He was a conscientious monk, finding ways to both complete his obediences (which required contact with others) and to preserve his silence, so as to progress in the art of prayer. He was always selfless in helping his brethren, unwilling to rest while others worked (though he may have already completed his own obediencesAthos), as he loved his brothers greatly and without distinction. In addition to his ascetic struggles and the common life in the monastery, he was spiritually enriched through the reading of soul-profiting books. In particular, he read the lives of the Saints, the [[Gerontikon]], and especially the [[Ascetical Homilies]] of St. [[Isaac the Syrian]].[http://elderpaisios.com/Life/index.htm] ==Monastic Life==Soon after his tonsure, monk Averkios left Esphigmenou and joined the (then) idiorhythmic brotherhood of [[Philotheou Monastery]], where his uncle was a monk. He put himself under obedience to the virtuous Elder Symeon, who gave him the Small Schema in 1956, with the new name Paisios. Fr. Paisios dwelt deeply on the thought that his own spiritual failures and lack of love were the cause of his neighbor's shortcomings, as well as of the world's ills. He harshly accused himself, pushing himself to greater self-denial and more fervent prayer for his soul and for the whole world. Furthermore, he cultivated the habit of always seeking the "good reason" for a potentially scandalous event and for people's actions, and in this way he preserved himself from judging others. For example, pilgrims to Mt. Athos had been scandalized by the strange behavior and stories told by a certain monk, and, when they met Elder Paisios, they asked him what was wrong with the monk. He warned them not to judge others, and that this monk was actually virtuous and was simply pretending to be a fool when visitors would come, so as to preserve his silence. In 1958 Elder Paisios was asked to spend some time in and around his home village so as to support the faithful against the proselytism of Protestant groups. He greatly encouraged the faithful there, helping many people. Afterwards, in 1962, he left to visit [[Sinai]] where he stayed for two years. During this time he became beloved of the Bedouins who benefited both spiritually as well as materially from his presence. The Elder used the money he received from the sale of his carved wooden handicraft to buy them food. On his return to Mt. Athos in 1964 Elder Paisios took up residence at the Skete of Iviron before moving to Katounakia at the southernmost tip of Mt. Athos for a short stay in the desert there. The Elder's failing health may have been part of the reason for his departure from the desert. In 1966, he was operated on and had part of his lungs removed. It was during this time of hospitalization that his long friendship with the then young sisterhood of St. [[John the Theologian]] in Souroti, just outside of Thessaloniki, began. During his operation he greatly needed blood and it was then that a group of novices from the monastery donated blood to save him. Elder Paisios was most grateful, and after his recovery did whatever he could, materially and spiritually, to help them build their monastery. In 1968 he spent time at the [[|Monastery of Stavronikita]] helping both with its spiritual as well as material renovation. While there he had the blessing of being in contact with the ascetic [[Elder Tikhon]] who lived in the hermitage [[Hermitage]] of the Holy Cross, near Stavronikita. Elder Paisios stayed by his side until his repose, serving him selflessly as his [[disciple]]. It was during this time period that Elder Tikhon clothed Fr. Paisios in the Great Schema. According to the wishes of the Elder, Fr. Paisios remained in his Elder Tikhon's hermitage after his repose. He Fr. Paisios stayed there until 1979, when he moved on to his final home on the Holy Mountain, the hermitage Panagouda, which belongs to the [[Monastery of Koutloumousiou]].

It was here at Panagouda that Elder Paisios' fame as a God bearing elder grew, drawing to him the sick and suffering people of God. He received them all day long, dedicating the night to God in prayer, vigil , and spiritual struggle. His regime of prayer and asceticism left him with only two or three hours each night for rest. The self-abandon with which he served God and his fellow man, his strictness with himself, the austerity of his regime, and his sensitive nature made him increasingly prone to sickness. In addition to respiratory problems, in his later days he suffered from a serious hernia that made life very painful. When he was forced to leave the Holy Mountain for various reasons (often due to his illnesses) he would receive pilgrims for hours on end at the women's monastery at Souroti, and the . The physical effort which this entailed in his weakened state caused him such pain that he would turn pale. He bore his suffering with much grace, however, confident that, as God knows what is best for us, it could not be otherwise. He would say that God is greatly touched when someone who is in great suffering does not complain, but rather uses his energy to pray for others. In addition to his other illnesses he suffered from hemorrhaging which left him very weak. In his final weeks before leaving the Holy Mountain, he would often fall unconscious. On October 5, 1993 the Elder left his beloved Holy Mountain for the last time. Though he had planned on being off the mountain for just a few days, while in [[Thessaloniki]] he was diagnosed with cancer that needed immediate treatment. After the operation he spent some time recovering in the hospital and was then transferred to the monastery at [[Souroti]]. Despite his critical state he received people, listening to their sorrows and counseling them. After his operation, Elder Paisios had his heart set on returning to Mt. Athos. His attempts to do so, however, were hindered by his failing health. His last days were full of suffering, but also of the joy of the martyrs. On July 11, 1994, he received [[Holy Communion]] for the last time. The next day, Elder Paisios gave his soul into God's keeping. He was buried, according to his wishes, at the Monastery of St. John the Theologian in Souroti. Elder Paisios, perhaps more than any other contemporary elder, has captured the minds and hearts of the Greek people. Many books of his counsels have been published , and the monastery at Souroti has undertaken a great work, organizing the Elder's writings and counsels into impressive volumes befitting his memory. Thousands of pilgrims visit his tomb each year.

==Works=====Translated into English===*''Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian'', translated into English and published in 1989 and 2001 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian", Souroti, [[Thessalonica|Thessaloniki]], Greece.*''Elder Hadji-Georgis the Athonite'', translated into English and published in 1996 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian", Souroti, Thessaloniki, Greece.*''[[Athonite Fathers and Athonite Matters (Elder Paisios)|Athonite Fathers and Athonite Matters]]'', translated into English and published in 1999 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian", Souroti, Thessaloniki, Greece.*''Epistles'', by Elder Paisios of Mount Athos, translated into English and published in Feb 2002 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian", Souroti, Thessaloniki, Greece; distributed in the U.S.A. by [http://www.sainthermanpress.com St. Herman of Alaska Monastery].* "Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain," by Priestmonk Christodoulos, published on the Holy Mountain, 1998.*''Discourses Spiritual Counsels, Vol. 1: With Pain and Love for Contemporary Man'', translated into English and published in 2006 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian", Souroti, Thessaloniki, Greece.* ''Spiritual Counsels, Vol. 2: Spiritual Awakening'', translated into English and published in 2008 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian", Souroti, Thessaloniki, Greece.*''Spiritual Counsels, Vol. 3: Spiritual Struggle'', translated into English and published in 2010 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian", Souroti, Thessaloniki, Greece.

===Others, as yet untranslatedUntranslated works===*''Discourses 2 - Spiritual Wakefulness'', 1999 & 2000. <!-- Πνευματική αφ�?πνιση - anyone want to translate the title? -->*''Discourses 3 - Spiritual Struggle'', 2001. <!-- Πνευματικός αγώνας - anyone want to check the translation of the title?-->*Discourses 4 and 5 (unknown titles).

==Other sources==*Middleton, Herman A., 2004,"Elder Paisios the Athonite", in ''Precious Vessels of the Holy Spirit: The Lives & Spiritual Counsels of Contemporary Elders of Greece, Vol. 4 - Family'', 2nd edn., [[osource:Protecting Veil Press|Protecting Veil Press]], Thessalonica, Greece [http://www2002.protectingveil.com/available]*"Talks with Father Paisios"''Spiritual Counsels, by Athanasios Rakovalis, published in Thessaloniki in 2000Vol. 5 - Passions and Virtues'', distributed by St. Nicodemos Publications [http://www.saintnicodemos.org]*[http://elderpaisios2006.com]

==External linklinks==*[http://www.pigizois.grnet/agglika/paisios/10.htm Elder Paisios: A short biography]* [http://www.protectingveil.com/ Middleton, Herman A., 2004,"Elder Paisios the Athonite", in ''Precious Vessels of the Holy Spirit: The Lives & Counsels of Contemporary Elders of Greece'', 2nd edn., Protecting Veil Press, Thessalonica, Greece]* [http://www.saintnicodemos.org/ "Talks with Father Paisios", by Athanasios Rakovalis, published in Thessaloniki in 2000, distributed by St. Nicodemos Publications]*[[Wikipedia:Greco-Turkish_War_(1919–1922)]]