Saint Paisios the Athonite

Life

He was born in 1924, in Farasa, Cappadocia, on land that is Turkey today. He was baptized by Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian himself, who gave him his name and said, days before the family fled to Greece, that this infant would one day become a monk. And so it happened. The family took refuge during the population exchange and settled in Konitsa, in Epirus. Arsenios — as he was called in the world — grew up poor, learned carpentry and from childhood was drawn to prayer and the lives of the saints.

He served in the army as a radio operator during the Greek civil war, and there his true mettle was seen: when someone had to be sent to the most dangerous place, he volunteered himself, so that a comrade who had children to raise wouldn't have to go. After that, he went up to Athos and remained there almost his whole life — through Esphigmenou, Philotheou, then a few years in the Sinai desert, and finally at the Panagouda cell, near Koutloumousiou, where the thousands of people who came to him found him.

And they came, because God had given him the gift of clairvoyance. He would tell you the sin you didn't confess, he would guess the trouble at home, sometimes he would answer the question you hadn't even had the chance to ask. But that wasn't the core. The core was his love and joy. He was strict only with himself — slept little, ate almost nothing, prayed entire nights — and gentle, joking, warm with everyone else. He always said to have “good thoughts,” because the person who sees everything in a good light makes a paradise of their heart starting right here.

He bore severe illnesses for years, lungs ruined by cold and asceticism, and at the end cancer, which he received without complaining, as a gift that cleanses him. He fell asleep on July 12, 1994, at the Souroti nuns' monastery, near Thessaloniki, where he was a spiritual father and where his grave is to this day. There, the line of pilgrims never stops, and countless healings and answered prayers are recounted, during his life and after death alike. In 2015, the Ecumenical Patriarchate officially numbered him among the saints.

Prayer (in simple words)

Venerable Father Paisios, you who bore years of grave illness without complaint, receiving it as a gift that purifies, teach me too not to be troubled before suffering, but to believe that God works good even through it. Help me to have, like you, good thoughts about others, to judge no one, and to find joy where others see only trouble. You who loved everyone with a warm heart and were strict only with yourself, intercede for me before God, that I too may grow in love and patience. Amen.

Akathist

Prayers read before any Akathist

Kontakion 1

Let all us faithful praise with one voice, the one sent by God in these times of sifting, for our consolation and guidance, the one who struggled in a way well-pleasing to the Master, burning with love for the whole world, the much-wonderful Paisios, who laid down his heart for us and for our salvation, and let us sing to him with thanksgiving saying: Rejoice, Venerable Father Paisios, illuminator of the end times!

Oikos 1

God ordained that you be born, Father, in the blessed land of Cappadocia, which sprouted a countless multitude of saints. To whom you too were added, in full worthiness, illuminating alongside them and tirelessly guiding us to repentance. For which we also praise you, with complete joy, thus:

Rejoice, for you became a chosen successor of all the Cappadocian saints;
Rejoice, for you resembled them in everything, as a God-bearer;
Rejoice, most beautiful and much fragrant flower, who sprouted for our illumination;
Rejoice, spring of divine grace, who refresh the whole world;
Rejoice, most sweet food that satiate the souls starved for right teaching;
Rejoice, vessel that gathered all our infirmities, sorrows and pains;
Rejoice, pillar of fire, who are an unshakeable support for those who want to gain salvation;
Rejoice, star that shine on the sky of the Church, guiding us to the eternal mansions;
Rejoice, for you proved to be a blessing of God and a sign of His ineffable mercy;
Rejoice, Venerable Father Paisios, illuminator of the end times!

Kontakion 2

You were chosen from your mother's womb, Venerable, to give yourself entirely to God and thus become His chosen vessel, for the salvation and guidance of all those who hoped in you. For such a blessing we all sing to Him, to the One who worked through you great miracles and mercies, the song: Alleluia!

Oikos 2

The sign of God's grace that rested upon you, Father, was the baptism you received from the hands of the Saint of God, Arsenios. For he, seeing in spirit your many gifts, from early childhood blessed you to be his successor and bear his name. We beatify you, therefore, with unworthiness, saying:

Rejoice, for you were deemed worthy to be baptized by Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian;
Rejoice, for he prophesied the things that were to happen with you;
Rejoice, for his spirit rejoiced seeing such chosen fruit coming out of the flock shepherded by him;
Rejoice, for because of this he cared for you unceasingly, as long as he was in this earthly life;
Rejoice, for even after he moved to the heavenly mansions he did not leave you, but all the more interceded for you;
Rejoice, for you too honored him properly, piously considering him as your Father in Christ;
Rejoice, for you labored without delay for his glorification, gathering testimonies about his wonderful life;
Rejoice, for the Saint of God blessed you to discover his glorious relics, which became the cause of countless healings;
Rejoice, for with great love you placed his honored body in the community founded by you in Souroti;
Rejoice, Venerable Father Paisios, illuminator of the end times!

Kontakion 3

After your parents arrived in the land of Konitsa, Venerable, moving to Greece because of the persecution of the tyrant Turks, you began to climb with self-sacrifice on the divine ladder of perfection. For from childhood you proved to be a light for everyone around, who seeing your chosen gifts, glorified God, saying: Alleluia!

Oikos 3

Guided by the example of your parents, you struggled from a young age with burning zeal towards the love of Christ, showing deeds of a perfect man. For following your blessed mother, you immediately began to fast strictly and pray unceasingly, being a hermit by living, but a child by age. Marveling at the bravery of your soul, we sing to you with joy, thus:

Rejoice, for being still young, you completely renounced the passing lusts of this world;
Rejoice, for through perfect fasting you kept the crown of virginity unspoiled;
Rejoice, for age did not stop you from getting used to unceasing prayer in solitude;
Rejoice, for instead of delighting in childish games, you delighted always spending time with Christ and His saints;
Rejoice, for because of this you fled the friendship of those who distanced you from your inflamed love;
Rejoice, for you did not struggle only in outward things, but also adorned your soul with all virtue;
Rejoice, for you followed the goodness and humility of your blessed mother;
Rejoice, for she was an unerring example of love and complete self-sacrifice to you;
Rejoice, for we are all amazed by the bravery with which you began to bear the good fight;
Rejoice, Venerable Father Paisios, illuminator of the end times!

Kontakion 4

Being called in war to defend your country from the godless, Father, you shone through your boundless bravery. For completely renouncing self-love, you always sought to be where the danger was greatest, to save those who fought alongside you. And they seeing this, thanked God for such support, saying all: Alleluia!

Oikos 4

You used the war, Venerable, as an occasion for sanctification, for unceasingly you increased in love beyond passion, laying down your soul for your friends. And thus you gained imperishable crowns from the One who makes Himself a hundredfold reward of all sacrifice, from Christ God. Understanding this too, we hasten to bring you, for praise, such things:

Rejoice, for in battle you were a wonderful image of entire self-sacrifice;
Rejoice, for you despised to the end this earthly life, thus gaining the heavenly one;
Rejoice, for you did not discard the image of piety even in the terrible whirlpool of dangers;
Rejoice, for by the greatness of your soul you made yourself a light for sanctification even to those around;
Rejoice, for you helped in season and out of season all those who were in needs and sorrows;
Rejoice, for you perfectly defeated human fear arming yourself with iron bravery;
Rejoice, for warring against the enemies of the country, in secret you also fought against the enemies of your soul;
Rejoice, for although you wanted to die in place of your friends, God guarded you as a beloved of His;
Rejoice, for to us also you show, by the wonderful strength of your soul, the path to perfection;
Rejoice, Venerable Father Paisios, illuminator of the end times!

Kontakion 5

With burning zeal you discarded the world, Father, and you entirely devoted yourself to Christ, joining the community of monks, who always fight to defeat their nature. And in a short time you made yourself an angel in the flesh, putting on in all things the One to Whom we also sing with humility: Alleluia!

Oikos 5

You withdrew into the wonderful desert of Sinai to serve the Master Christ, Venerable, and defeating the lusts of the world, you became a perfect man, shining in all virtue and burning with true love for God, Who through you sent down upon us His rich mercy. For this we too, with weak powers, thank you saying:

Rejoice, angelic man, for you considered all the lusts of the world as vanity;
Rejoice, for a time of three years you struggled in the harsh desert of Sinai;
Rejoice, for unknown to anyone you lived in a hidden cave, enduring the scorching heat and the frost;
Rejoice, for there you fought to the blood against all passion;
Rejoice, for by your deep humility, you perfectly defeated the cunning devils;
Rejoice, for you cleansed yourself of all the corruption of sin, becoming a light of Christ;
Rejoice, for you began to pray with hot tears for the whole world;
Rejoice, for seeing your sacrifice beyond powers, God filled you with supernatural gifts;
Rejoice, for in your narrow cave you were deemed worthy of countless revelations of the divine grace;
Rejoice, Venerable Father Paisios, illuminator of the end times!

Kontakion 6

After you fought the good fight in Sinai, Father, you were called by the Mother of God to Her earthly Garden, to the Holy Mount Athos, which is the flower and light of Orthodoxy. And foreseeing that that will be the place of your perfection, you thanked the Most Holy Empress for her wonderful veil, with which she always guards the whole world from the wickedness of sorrows; and to Her Son you sang, with joy, the sweet song: Alleluia!

Oikos 6

Arriving in the Holy Mountain and being carried in many places by the grace of God, you climbed always on the ladder of holiness, Venerable, gathering from everywhere, like a wise bee, the sweetest spiritual nectar. And later you became a son of Father Tikhon, a Spirit-bearing elder and full of all virtue, whom you followed in full obedience. For this we too sing to you, with powerless voices, thus:

Rejoice, for God ordained your glorification in the blessed Mountain of Athos;
Rejoice, for because of this He gave you into the care of His Most Pure Mother, who protected you as a son of hers;
Rejoice, for overshadowed by the Holy Spirit you roamed the entire Mountain, seeking Fathers with a holy life;
Rejoice, for you marveled at their unceasing prayers, through which God sends His mercy upon the world;
Rejoice, for you struggled to also write their life, for the glory of God and the benefit of people;
Rejoice, for then you became a disciple of the Venerable Father Tikhon, the perfect in holiness;
Rejoice, for you served him with boundless love, entrusting yourself in all things to his wise guidance;
Rejoice, for because of your obedience to the end, God also granted you the grace that dwelt in your Father;
Rejoice, for after his death, the Venerable Tikhon revealed to you that he will always pray for you;
Rejoice, Venerable Father Paisios, illuminator of the end times!

Kontakion 7

Perfecting yourself in full love, you made yourself an instrument of God, Who began to work through you with much power. For He made you a comforter of all the afflicted and a guide of those darkened by sins. We thank God, Father, for giving you to us for our salvation, singing to Him all: Alleluia!

Oikos 7

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven", said the Savior of the world with a lie-free voice. For in you too, Father, His word was fulfilled with entire power. And for this we praise you too, saying:

Rejoice, you who taught the world through books illuminated by the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice, you who through words with much spiritual benefit scattered the ignorance of our times;
Rejoice, trumpet of the Spirit, who announced to all the joy of repentance;
Rejoice, wonderful prophet, who showed us that we live the times of the end;
Rejoice, merciful healer of the diseases impossible to cure;
Rejoice, most chosen caregiver of those with the soul oppressed by sorrows;
Rejoice, divine oil, that cleansed all our wounds;
Rejoice, peace from above, that reconciled countless broken families;
Rejoice, skilled guide, for you removed from people all the traps of the devil;
Rejoice, Venerable Father Paisios, illuminator of the end times!

Kontakion 8

Seeing the terrifying fight that the enemy of salvation leads against the family blessed by God, you girded yourself with the weapon of the word, teaching the spouses that in order to gain the peace of their homes, they must have patience and long-suffering, and self-sacrifice with love. We glorify God unceasingly, Venerable, because He sent you to show us the right path, singing: Alleluia!

Oikos 8

"Give me Christian mothers and I will give you saints to change the world", said the divine Chrysostom. And you, penetrated by this truth, you toiled in season and out of season, through prayers and exhortations, to show the faithful spouses that the peace of the family is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and that they must fight for it with striving and wisdom. Because you struggled to bring healing to our families so severely struck by temptations, we all thank you, saying:

Rejoice, mediator before God for the good understanding of the married ones;
Rejoice, for you guided the pious spouses to live in continence and holiness;
Rejoice, for you taught them to bear each other's weaknesses, with love and greatness of soul;
Rejoice, for you showed parents that through prayer the grace of God descends upon the entire family, bringing joy and peace;
Rejoice, for you fought against all sins, seeing that through them comes the dissolution of marriage;
Rejoice, for you made yourself a fierce rebuker of the terrifying murder of infants;
Rejoice, for you told the faithful mothers that by the example of their life they can make their children saints;
Rejoice, for you showed the young that through obedience they gain mercy from God and a peaceful life;
Rejoice, for you urged them to acquire the blessing of parents, through which the blessing of the Holy Spirit also comes;
Rejoice, Venerable Father Paisios, illuminator of the end times!

Kontakion 9

The one who wonderfully healed our bodily and spiritual diseases, through his prayers made from the bottom of the heart, Paisios, our mediator, let us all praise with joy. And to God, glorified in the Holy Trinity, let us sing with thanksgiving, saying: Alleluia!

Oikos 9

You became a healer of all sickness, Father, through the gift of which God deemed you worthy. For burning with love and pity for the people who were tormented in pain, you prayed with self-sacrifice for their deliverance, teaching them to thank God for everything. We beatify you in one voice, we the faithful, saying:

Rejoice, very strong weapon against the terrifying disease of cancer;
Rejoice, untiring caregiver of those who are tormented in terrible pains;
Rejoice, spring of healing in which all those spiritually wounded are refreshed;
Rejoice, chaser of demons, for you crushed with your humility all the cunning and oppression of the devil;
Rejoice, most merciful father, for you could not bear to see people fading away under the weight of bodily and spiritual torments;
Rejoice, for because of this you took all our sorrows and diseases upon yourself;
Rejoice, for you prayed with greatness of soul that God would send you our infirmities;
Rejoice, for you taught us that all tribulations come through distancing from God and His commandments;
Rejoice, you who showed us that ineffable is the reward of those who bear their disease with patience, bringing glory to God;
Rejoice, Venerable Father Paisios, illuminator of the end times!

Kontakion 10

The Lord and Savior of the world promised a great reward to those who will toil in a good way towards the perfection of others. And you, Venerable, although a simple monk and unlearned in worldly things, were made wise by the Spirit of the Lord Himself to guide thousands of people on the path of salvation. And for these you pray until now to God, to Whom we also sing with joy: Alleluia!

Oikos 10

For your entire virtue, God adorned you with supernatural gifts, which you used for His glory and for the benefit of people. For you became the father of countless multitudes of believers, who, being fought by the terrible temptations of our times, looked to you as to a divine haven. And for this, we pray you to receive us too among your spiritual sons, and to allow us to sing to you, with thanksgiving, thus:

Rejoice, for you taught people to fight with the evil thoughts planted in the mind by the enemy of our salvation;
Rejoice, for shining with the gift of discerning spirits, you immediately showed your sons if their thoughts were from God or from the devil;
Rejoice, for by the grace of God you knew the depth of the hearts of men;
Rejoice, for having full wisdom, you thwarted all the cunning traps of the evil one;
Rejoice, for you turned many back to true repentance through your unhypocritical love;
Rejoice, for you made yourself a wise rebuker of the stubborn and the proud;
Rejoice, for you were the gentle comfort of the despairing and those overwhelmed by temptations;
Rejoice, for you wept unceasingly for all those who saw in you a true hope of salvation;
Rejoice, for at the Judgment you will say to God, with sweet joy: "Here I am, and the children you have given me!";
Rejoice, Venerable Father Paisios, illuminator of the end times!

Kontakion 11

Becoming a perfect monk, Father, and being full of the grace of God, you became a strong hope for the uncomforted souls of those who wanted to worship Christ in His entirety. And for your gifts, everyone saw in you a guide illuminated by the Holy Spirit. For this we praise God, He who did not deprive His flock of shepherds with a holy life, saying: Alleluia!

Oikos 11

You founded in Souroti a monastery of nuns, where your most advanced daughters could dedicate themselves to the Bridegroom Christ with full love. And later you guided them towards perfection, like a very loving and long-suffering father, through your most wonderful advices, which are for us too an unerring guidance. We all bless you for this, saying:

Rejoice, for you founded the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian in Souroti;
Rejoice, for this became a haven of salvation for the souls thirsty for Christ;
Rejoice, for you strived in season and out of season to make the nuns perfect brides of our Lord;
Rejoice, for you taught them the true monasticism, which means renunciation of the world and its lusts;
Rejoice, for unceasingly you strived to kindle their zeal towards the blessed asceticism;
Rejoice, for you guided them towards the most frequent confession of sins, by which the works of the devil are entirely destroyed;
Rejoice, for your guidances fell on fruitful ground and refreshed the whole world;
Rejoice, for you fought with power against the worldly spirit that terribly harms the monastery life;
Rejoice, for through your bravery and love you made yourself an example of spiritual victory to all monks;
Rejoice, Venerable Father Paisios, illuminator of the end times!

Kontakion 12

Great was the grace of God that poured over you, Venerable, and great also His mercies, for because of your much sacrifice, the All-Good deemed you worthy of wonderful revelations and supernatural joys. We too rejoice seeing the reward that God gives to His saints, and praying Him to make us too partakers of it, we sing to Him: Alleluia!

Oikos 12

You tasted, Father, even from here of the joys of paradise, those prepared by the Most-Merciful God to all those who serve Him with love. For although the struggles that the cunning enemy led with you were great, much greater were the comforts by which God strengthened you in virtue. For this, in humble praise, we sing to you:

Rejoice, most sweet light through which Christ shines to the whole world;
Rejoice, wonderful flame, that kindles us too with the love of God;
Rejoice, for you made yourself a full dwelling of the divine grace;
Rejoice, for this gave birth in you to all the fruits of holiness;
Rejoice, for God overwhelmed you with His supernatural gifts;
Rejoice, for you tasted of the uncreated and ever-existing light;
Rejoice, for you lived with the Saints as with close friends;
Rejoice, for the Most Good Mother of our Lord appeared to you to strengthen you in sorrows;
Rejoice, ineffable miracle, for you were deemed worthy to speak with Christ Himself, our Master and God;
Rejoice, Venerable Father Paisios, illuminator of the end times!

Kontakion 13

"Many saints would have desired to live in our times, to struggle", you said, Father, being illuminated by the Holy Spirit. For you announced to us, the darkened ones, that the times are towards fulfillment and that those who now fight with bravery to gain their salvation, have the reward of a martyr. For this, we thank God, He who with mercy visited His people, sending His Saint for our illumination, and we sing to the Most-Good Master, in a voice of joy, the song: Alleluia!

(This Kontakion is said three times.)

And again:

Oikos 1

God ordained that you be born, Father, in the blessed land of Cappadocia, which sprouted a countless multitude of saints. To whom you too were added, in full worthiness, illuminating alongside them and tirelessly guiding us to repentance. For which we also praise you, with complete joy, thus:

Rejoice, for you became a chosen successor of all the Cappadocian saints;
Rejoice, for you resembled them in everything, as a God-bearer;
Rejoice, most beautiful and much fragrant flower, who sprouted for our illumination;
Rejoice, spring of divine grace, who refresh the whole world;
Rejoice, most sweet food that satiate the souls starved for right teaching;
Rejoice, vessel that gathered all our infirmities, sorrows and pains;
Rejoice, pillar of fire, who are an unshakeable support for those who want to gain salvation;
Rejoice, star that shine on the sky of the Church, guiding us to the eternal mansions;
Rejoice, for you proved to be a blessing of God and a sign of His ineffable mercy;
Rejoice, Venerable Father Paisios, illuminator of the end times!

Kontakion 1

Let all us faithful praise with one voice, the one sent by God in these times of sifting, for our consolation and guidance, the one who struggled in a way well-pleasing to the Master, burning with love for the whole world, the much-wonderful Paisios, who laid down his heart for us and for our salvation, and let us sing to him with thanksgiving saying: Rejoice, Venerable Father Paisios, illuminator of the end times!

Then this

Prayer to our Venerable Father Paisios the Athonite

Beloved Father Paisios, you, who climbed the steps of holiness and reached perfect in virtue, and for this gained full boldness towards the Merciful God, pray to Him Whom you served unceasingly in life, not to destroy us for our many sins, but to return us to the blessed repentance.

You, who as long as you were on earth healed with so much love our countless infirmities, bodily and spiritual diseases, much more can you now help us and deliver us from all difficulties. So have mercy on us, Father, for your immeasurable love, for your divine goodness, and do not leave us, who are full of so many sins.

You, who did not tire of guiding us to salvation and bearing our infirmities as long as you were here with us, make us wise also now so that we can defeat the temptations that the cunning devil weaves unceasingly around us and with which he wants to destroy our souls for eternity. Illumine us so that we can know God's will for us and pray to the Master to give us strength to fulfill it with thanksgiving.

You, who were an unerring example of bravery and self-sacrifice to us, strengthen us too so that we can follow you in virtue, to gain the imperishable crown, of which you too were deemed worthy in abundance.

Yea, Father, do not discard us, who unceasingly anger our Long-suffering God, but stand with boldness before His throne, interceding for us with tears, that God may give us, for your sake, the precious salvation. And thus, thanking you from the bottom of the heart for all that you have done for us, and still do, let us also thank our most good God, worshipped in the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Source: Doxologia.ro. Prayer text taken from public Orthodox sources; rights remain with their authors and translators. Devotional, non-commercial use. May be removed on request.