To understand what to ask for in front of the image of the holy elder, you need to know who this person was and why he was awarded canonization. Not so long ago, the elder acquired the official status of a “saint”. Paisius the Holy Mountaineer, whose icon helps people cope with various troubles and misfortunes, was canonized as a saint in this century, in 2015.
Who was this man?
Paisios - the name that Arseniy Eznepidis, a Greek carpenter, received after taking the monastic vows and taking the vow of the schema. He was born at the beginning of the last century, in 1924, in eastern Cappadocia, on the territory of the village of Faras.
Paisius died at the end of the last century, in 1994, in the monastery of St. John the Theologian, in Thessaloniki. At the time of his death, the elder was a schemamonk. This is a special spiritual title, which is given only to those who have taken the vow of the schema. This vow includes two levels of oaths - small and great, as well as a special attire. But hermits differ from ordinary monks, of course, not onlyclothes, but also a way of life. Those who have made such a vow adhere to very strict, ascetic rules in everything in life.
Paisius during his lifetime became one of the most respected Orthodox spiritual luminaries of the past century. This man received recognition and fame not because he was a monk of Mount Athos, but because of his asceticism, prophecies and spiritual guidance. How the holy elder is revered by the Constantinople and Russian churches.
How did the life of the saint begin? Who christened him?
The Second Greco-Turkish War, which ended with the signing of the Lausanne Peace Treaty, led to the implementation of forced resettlement, the so-called exchange of people between countries. Turkey, Greece and Bulgaria participated in the forced resettlement. It started happening in 1923. In such a difficult time, a boy was born in the family of Prodromos and Evlampia, who was named Arseny.
The icon of Paisius the Holy Mountaineer, the photo of which can be seen in the article, outwardly is very similar to another image - Arseniy of Cappadocia, also revered as a saint. This similarity is not accidental, since it was Arseny of Cappadocia who baptized the boy, named him and predicted his future connected with the spiritual sphere of life.
In the autumn of 1924, the family of the future saint ended up near Ioannina, in the town of Konitsa, where Paisios grew up, was educated and became a carpenter.
How did this man become a monk? Who was his first spiritualmentor?
Childhood and youth of Paisius fell on the years in which there were constant wars in the world. Of course, he could not avoid military service. He entered the military in 1945, being called up for service in the midst of the Greek civil war. Paisius did not participate directly in hostilities, he served as a radio operator for a little over three years.
Returning to civilian life, the future holy schemnik felt firm confidence in the need to take tonsure. However, before deciding to take this step, he was obliged to take care of his family, sisters.
Only in 1950 did he manage to climb Mount Athos and become a novice. Cyril, the future abbot of the Athos monastery of Kutlumush, became Paisios' spiritual mentor. The future saint took the vows in the cassock in 1954, in the monastery of Esfigmen. At that moment he was named after Averky. And in 1957, he took vows of the small schema and acquired the name Paisios.
How is the icon made? Description
The icon of Paisius the Holy Mountaineer, the description of the canonical execution of which includes two types - half-length and full-length, is presented in almost every Orthodox church. It will not be difficult to find it in church shops.
The saint is usually depicted waist-deep, with a scroll in one hand and a staff in the other. The image of an old man can be made both in a cassock and without it, but invariably with a lush gray beard. It is this icon of Paisius the Holy Mountaineer that is most in demand among believers. This is probably due to the fact that the image of an old man with a similar manner of performance lookshabitual for perception, since most traditional Orthodox icons are written in this manner.
Another view of the image represents the saint in full growth, as a rule, with a crucifix in his hands and in the robe of a schemnik. The icon of Paisios the Holy Mountaineer of this type of execution, as a rule, is presented in the prayer halls of temples.
How does the image help?
Like any image of an Orthodox saint, this one helps those whose hearts are filled with sincere faith in the power of the Almighty, humility and hope in God's mercy. In Orthodoxy, there is no nominal division into what should be prayed for in front of a specific image. Helping people is not the image of the saint, but the Lord. The icon of Paisios the Holy Mountaineer is no exception.
Accordingly, you can pray to the saint for any need. However, it is generally accepted that before the image one should ask for healing for those who suffer from cancer. The miraculous recovery of cancer patients is the first thing priests remember when answering questions about what the icon of Paisios the Holy Mountain helps with. They also pray to the elder for a cure for other ailments, for well-being in the family and for the preservation of peace.
How to pray to a saint?
Prayer to Paisius, like any Christian saint, can be said from the heart, in your own words. Of course, it is not forbidden to use ready-made texts. Choosing among them the right one, you should pay attention to the simplicity and clarity of presentation. The easier it is to pronounce and perceive the phrase of the prayer text, the easier it is for a person to concentrateat your request, and this is extremely important.
Of course, one should ask the holy elder for help in the temple. But if the house has an icon of Paisius the Holy Mountaineer, then you can pray without visiting church halls. However, it must be taken into account that a prayer uttered in God's temple, as a rule, turns out to be more effective. This feature is due to the fact that the thoughts of a modern person are full of vain worries, everyday problems, which can be extremely difficult to get rid of. The atmosphere in the church is special, a prayerful atmosphere reigns in the temple, which contributes to the concentration of a person on prayer. And of course, being in church, one should not forget to put a candle in front of the face of the holy elder.
Example of the text of the prayer: “Reverend Paisius, holy elder of Mount Athos! Our patron and intercessor before the Lord, mentor and comforter, enlightener and spiritual father! I turn to you, Father, without a secret intention, with a pure heart and firmness of spirit, with rapture in the power of God and humility. I beg you for help in my worldly affairs and worldly concerns. I ask you for he alth and longevity to do good deeds for the glory of our Lord. I ask for an end to civil strife, both great and small. I pray for endowing me and all people near and far with wisdom and patience, for granting meekness and humility. May anger and pride, acquisitiveness and vanity pass me by. I ask for your blessing, father. Amen.”
