Saint Paisios the Athonite: Patron and Protector of Australia

·

Saint Paisios the Athonite was credited for many miracles and prophecies, being proclaimed a Saint of the Orthodox Church in 2015.

Arsenios Eznepidis, as his secular name was, was born in Farasa, Cappadocia, on July 25, 1924.

On August 7, 1924, a week before the Christian Farasiotes left for Greece due to the exchange of populations between Greece and Turkey, he was baptised by Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia, the priest of Farasas, whom the Orthodox Church recognised as a saint in 1988.

In 1945, Saint Paisios enlisted in the army and served as a radio operator during the Civil War. He was discharged from the army in 1949 and the following year entered Mount Athos to be a monk. There he met Father Cyril of the Koutloumousiou Monastery and followed him faithfully.

Saint Paisios left the Koutloumousiou Monastery and travelled across Mount Athos, later joining the Monastery of Esfigmenos, the Monastery of Filotheos, and the Holy Monastery of the Nativity of the Virgin.

In 1962, Saint Paisios went to Mount Sinai and in 1964 he returned to Mount Athos, from where he never left again expect for a few trips to the outside world.

In 1977, Saint Paisios visited Australia with Father Vasileios of the Monastery of Iviron. Saint Paisios performed a miracle and treated a cancer patient while he was in Australia.

In 1979, he joined the fraternity of the Koutloumousiou Monastery and settled in the hermitage of Panagouda. From then on, he became known to the faithful who visited him and was asked advice on people’s personal matters. Despite his busy schedule, he continued his intense ascetic life.

In 1993, his health deteriorated and doctors diagnosed him with colon cancer. In the last days of his life, he decided not to take drugs or painkillers, despite the horrible pain he felt. Finally, he slept on July 12, 1994 and was buried in the Holy Hermitage of Agios Ioannis the Theologian in Souroti, Thessaloniki.

On January 13, 2015, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople decided to classify the monk Paisios of Mount Athos in the Hagiology of the Orthodox Church.

On September 25, 2023, Archbishop Makarios of Australia declared Saint Paisios the Guardian and Protector of Australia and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.

Sourced By: San Simera

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Bouzouki Night 2025: A celebration of youth, culture and Hellenic pride in the Capital

It was a night of kefi in Canberra as 300 guests filled the Hellenic Club of Canberra for the Hellenic Youth Club’s Bouzouki Night 2025.

Cretan and Kalymnian youth in Sydney unite for a night of dance, music and kefi

The spirit of Greece came alive in Sydney as the Cretan Youth Association of Sydney and the Kalymnian Youth Society of NSW hosted Xoro.

Greek language attainment award, from yiayia’s kitchen to the classroom

The Greek Centre in Melbourne filled with pride and applause on Saturday, October 18 as the GCM honoured students of all ages.

Once a year, the future gathers at the Australian Hellenic War Memorial

Once a year, on an October spring morning, the Australian Hellenic War Memorial (AHWM) fills with the laughter of children.

Parliament House to host inaugural Women of the Greek Diaspora Forum

The Embassy of Greece in Australia will present the inaugural Women of the Greek Diaspora Forum, an exciting event.

You May Also Like

Vasili’s Taxidi: Danas Deli Café – Marrickville’s longest running shop

By Vasilis Vasilas Climbing up Illawarra Road, as you approach Marrickville, the first shop situated on the very edge of the suburb is ironically Marrickville’s...

Vicki Megaloudis calls out NSW councils over ticketless parking fines

Vicki Megaloudis has spoken out against the continued use of ticketless parking fines by local councils, saying they are impacting elderly.