With the help of God we are publishing the Epistles of the Blessed Father Paisios the Athonite, his fourth book to be available in the English language. In this translation we have attempted to retain the style of the original in order to provide our English speaking brethren with the possibility of approaching the word of the Elder which is graceful, lively, and replete with divine meaning, as well as to feel the peace and divine consolation which the Elder imparted to the soul of his inquirer.
The book was prepared for publication under the direction of the Elder a few months before his falling asleep. It contains six lengthy epistles that the Elder had sent to our Holy Monastery from 1971 to 1975 with the aim of assisting us in our spiritual struggle. As mandated by the Elder, the "Contract in the form of an Epistle" has been inserted before the epistles.
A friend of the monastery who asked to remain anonymous gladly assumed the translation of this present book into English, in collaboration with us. We warmly thank her and all those who contributed to the completion of the translation.
May the Good God, through the prayers of the Blessed Elder Paisios, reward their philotimo labour, granting as much to them as to their households, health of soul and body and His blessing, Grace and mercy abundantly.
CONTENTS
Introductory Note
Biographical Note of the Elder Paisios
Prologue
Contract
FIRST EPISTLE
For Beginners
SECOND EPISTLE
A Small Blessing of a Few "Nuts"
THIRD EPISTLE
Spiritual Balms
FOURTH EPISTLE
"A Handful of Experience: Pumpkinseeds Roasted over the Fire of Temptations"
FIFTH EPISTLE
On Chastity and Love
SIXTH EPISTLE
The Beatitudes
INDEX
PUBLICATIONS
