Saint Paisios of Mount Athos, Monastic

  Explore other icons of St. Paisios: St. Paisios of Mount Athos ~ St.Paisios the Athonite The Story Behind This Icon: Saint Paisios was born in the early 1920s in the small town of Farasa, in Cappadocia, where the town priest was Saint Arsenios. Saint Paisios led a normal life and grew up to join the army during the Greek Civil War. He insisted on never firing a weapon, and therefore served as a radio operator. Once, during a battle, his unit was under heavy fire, but he prayed to the Panagia to intercede, and she quickly did, saving him and his unit. Following the Civil War, Saint Paisios became a monk, arriving on Mount Athos in 1950. He first settled at the monastery of Esphigmenou, before leaving for Philotheou. Later in life, Paisios suffered from lung problems and had to leave for Thessaloniki to be treated. During his time outside of Mt. Athos, he stayed with the Sisterhood of St. John the Theologian in Souroti, just outside of Thessaloniki. Saint Paisisos returned after a coup