I shall always remember my neighbour,
Elder Joseph from Cyprus (†1992), who had been at our skete for sixty
years and who, at a vigil on the feast of the Holy Apostles at Karakalou
Monastery (the monastery’s patronal festival), saw St. Paul preach to
him… the Great Martyr and Healer St. Panteleimon heal him… and the
Virgin Mary tend to his needs…
A relative of his in America once sent him some dollars and heretical pamphlets and he sent them back, saying that only the Orthodox hold the truth. ‘The loveliest book in the world is the Psalter. What wonderful things it says. God speaks to us. He found a man after His own heart, it says: David. Have you heard the words that God has spoken? The Psalter, the Gospel Book and the Apostolos8: those are the three books I like.
They are the most important in the Church. I’ve got other books, like saints’ lives, which I’ve read over and over again. I don’t like these new books that priests are writing… Praise be to God! I’ve got a lot to tell you but it’s hard for me now, my memory fails me, brother. Praise be to God!’
A relative of his in America once sent him some dollars and heretical pamphlets and he sent them back, saying that only the Orthodox hold the truth. ‘The loveliest book in the world is the Psalter. What wonderful things it says. God speaks to us. He found a man after His own heart, it says: David. Have you heard the words that God has spoken? The Psalter, the Gospel Book and the Apostolos8: those are the three books I like.
They are the most important in the Church. I’ve got other books, like saints’ lives, which I’ve read over and over again. I don’t like these new books that priests are writing… Praise be to God! I’ve got a lot to tell you but it’s hard for me now, my memory fails me, brother. Praise be to God!’
During the thirty years that, by God’s
good grace, I have been on this most sacred Holy Mountain, I have known
many charming old monks. Elder Barlaam of Xenophontos (†1983), who
passed away at the age of 110 and was blessed with a humility and
forbearance that were pleasing to God, and a divinely-taught obedience.
Abbot Athanasios of the Great Lavra (†1984), with his truly genuine
humility, exemplary patience and Gospel-like forbearance, his constant
and tireless service, and his constant tolerance, gentleness and
kindness.
The Elder Joachim of Karyes (†1988), who dearly loved Christ, the Virgin Mary, the Holy Mountain, ascetic practice, study and prayer. The insignificant and unsung Elder Timotheos of Stavronikita (†1989), who concealed his virtue with his studied pretence of ‘foolishness’, although sometimes the truth shone through… The tranquil, noble and virtuous Arsenios of Gregoriou (†1991), who was so devoted to the Virgin Mary and the saints.
The blessed Elder Sophrony (†1993), the superb biographer of St. Silouan of Athos and a man of pure-hearted prayer, assiduous noetic meditation and exalted theories and experiences. The lean and hunchbacked hieromonk John the Romanian (†1996) of Kolitsou, with his great piety, discernment and goodness. The ascetic, abstemious and patient Father Isaac from the Lebanon (†1998), a good cantor and spiritual father. The extremely long-lived Hesychios of Gregoriou (†1999), a model coenobite in both obedience and service. The quiet and saint-loving spiritual father Evdokimos of Vatopedi (†2003), the prior of the Skete of St. Demetrios who knew when to speak and what to say, when to keep quiet, to smile, to counsel, to give way, to wait, to pray and to withdraw.
The Elder Joachim of Karyes (†1988), who dearly loved Christ, the Virgin Mary, the Holy Mountain, ascetic practice, study and prayer. The insignificant and unsung Elder Timotheos of Stavronikita (†1989), who concealed his virtue with his studied pretence of ‘foolishness’, although sometimes the truth shone through… The tranquil, noble and virtuous Arsenios of Gregoriou (†1991), who was so devoted to the Virgin Mary and the saints.
The blessed Elder Sophrony (†1993), the superb biographer of St. Silouan of Athos and a man of pure-hearted prayer, assiduous noetic meditation and exalted theories and experiences. The lean and hunchbacked hieromonk John the Romanian (†1996) of Kolitsou, with his great piety, discernment and goodness. The ascetic, abstemious and patient Father Isaac from the Lebanon (†1998), a good cantor and spiritual father. The extremely long-lived Hesychios of Gregoriou (†1999), a model coenobite in both obedience and service. The quiet and saint-loving spiritual father Evdokimos of Vatopedi (†2003), the prior of the Skete of St. Demetrios who knew when to speak and what to say, when to keep quiet, to smile, to counsel, to give way, to wait, to pray and to withdraw.
There are many others about whose
small and humble struggles, virtue and salvation I have written and will
write again, even if only a few words; men whose names have been
written in heaven and whose reward will be great, a hundredfold. May
their prayers always be with us. We need them in these difficult times.
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