The Wise and Courageous Metropolitan Paisios II of Caesarea (1776-1871), the Spiritual Predecessor of Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia

Paisios was born in Farasa of Cappadocia in 1776 or 1777. In 1804 he became abbot of the Honorable Forerunner Monastery in Flaviana (Zincidere) and a teacher of the School for Priests (Seminary). He helped the Ecumenical Patriarchate in very bad times. He fought zealously to prevent proselytizing actions against the Romans, saw to the construction or repair of temples, founded schools, orphanages and girls' schools.

The head village of Cappadocia was the saint-bearing Varasos, better known as Farasa, which was the birthplace of two great Saints of the Church, Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia and his spiritual successor Saint Paisios the Athonite. And, as Mr. Lazaros M. Kelekidis writes in his book "Farasa of Cappadocia", it was Saint Paisios who made Farasa known and thanks to him the whole world learned that there in the depths of the East, there was a spring of inexhaustible Roman Orthodox spirituality, a beacon that shone with the unfading light of Orthodoxy.

Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia as a Model for our Lives

 

By Protopresbyter Fr. George Papavarnavas

Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia was born in 1840 in Farasa of Cappadocia, to pious and virtuous parents, Eleutherios, who was a teacher, and Barbara. He was orphaned at a young age and an aunt, who loved Christ and the Church, undertook to raise him and his brother Vlasios.

Theodore, that was his baptismal name, was sent to study in Nigde and Smyrna. He became a monk at the age of 26, in the Sacred Monastery of the Honorable Forerunner in Flaviana (Zincidere). After about four years, because there was a shortage of priests, Metropolitan Paisios of Caesarea ordained him Deacon and Presbyter, elevated him to an Archimadrite and placed him in Farasa. He also entrusted him with the function of spiritual fatherhood.

A 103 Year Old Woman Recalls Having Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia as a Village Priest and Her Difficult Life

By Romanos Kontogiannidis

 

103 year old Zoe Kortsinidou - one of the few living first generation refugees - experienced deprivation, poverty, pain, orphanhood, successive uprootings, wars and death. However, with the intercessions of Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia - "Hadjifentis" as she calls him - God blessed her to make her happy with a large family and to be satisfied with the little sight in her eyes.

From the depths of her mind she recalls her memories of her village, Farasa of Cappadocia, which Zoe Kortsinidou left as a child forever during the uprooting of the Greeks of Asia Minor.

Despite her deep old age, Mrs. Zoe remembers very clearly the place where she was born and talks about it with longing. Maybe in her mind she becomes a child again and runs again on the cobbled streets of her homeland.

The Story of Saint Paisios' Book About Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian

By Stelios Koukos

In the mid-1970's a non-fiction book was published titled "Father Arsenios the Cappadocian", which had been published by the relatively recent established monastic Hesychasterion of the Evangelist John the Theologian in Souroti. Neither the book's cover nor any other page contained the author's name, and only the attentive reader could understand from the context who really wrote it. However, it was soon learned that its writer was none other than the then known charismatic monk Paisios (1924-1994).

The Church of Saints Jonah and Barachisios in Farasa of Cappadocia

Saints Jonah and Barachisios (March 29) are the patron saints of Farasa in Cappadocia. It was in the church dedicated to them that Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia often liturgized. Saint Paisios the Athonite tells us that he often held vigil services here from 9:00PM to 3:00AM. Before the population exchange, Saint Arsenios dug a pit in this church and buried the sacred vessels he could not carry with him, so as not to be desecrated by the Turks. And after the villagers fled, and had walked 60 km, Saint Arsenios forgot the fragment of holy relic of Saint John Chrysostom that he had left in this altar, so he returned alone to retrieve it, not wanting to tire the travelers anymore, and when he returned to his flock they were waiting for him anxiously. Unfortunately, after the population exchange in 1924, this church was converted into a mosque, and the sanctuary was converted into a bathroom.

 

 

A Miracle of St. John Chrysostom During the Armenian Genocide

By St. Paisios the Athonite

Anestis Karaousoglou related that at the time of the massacre of the Armenians by the Turks, about three hundred Turks had come to Farasa to loot and slaughter.

Hatzefendis [St. Arsenios] gathered all the women and children into the Chapel of the Panagia and said a prayer, and the ferocious Turks were unable to enter the village, because Saint John Chrysostom would not let them. The Saint appeared on the bridge they would have had to cross, stretched out his hands and stood in their way. (Above the ravine through which the river flowed was the little church dedicated to the Saint.) The Turks took fright and left when they saw the Saint driving them away, without letting them cross the bridge over the River Zamantis.

Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia and the Vengeful Woman

By St. Paisios the Athonite

When Father Arsenios had gone to the Holy Land for the fifth time, a woman by the name of Sophia got into his cell through the window, not to steal anything, but for revenge, because he had been very strict with her about some nasty things she had done in her life.

While her husband, who was with her, waited outside, Sophia got inside and turned the whole place upside down and knocked everything over he had in his cell, even the Crosses and the Gospels. In fact, they say she even evacuated her bowels on the sheepskin on which Father Arsenios used to kneel and pray before his icon-stand.

Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia Resource Page

St. Arsenios of Cappadocia (Feast Day - November 10)

 

Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian (+ 1924)

 

Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia as a Model for our Lives

The Personality of Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian (1 of 2)

The Personality of Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian (2 of 2)

Glorification to Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian (St. Paisios the Athonite)

The Wise and Courageous Metropolitan Paisios II of Caesarea (1776-1871), the Spiritual Predecessor of Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia

When St. Arsenios of Cappadocia Was Rescued by St. George

St. Arsenios of Cappadocia Heals a Woman of Despair and Saves Her From Suicide

Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia and the Vengeful Woman

St. Arsenios of Cappadocia Betrayed By Divine Grace

A Miracle of St. John Chrysostom During the Armenian Genocide

When St. Arsenios of Cappadocia Saw St. Haralambos in the Holy Water

The Pastoral Use of the Book of Psalms by St. Arsenios of Cappadocia

The Baptismal Font of Elder Paisios the Athonite

The Grandson of Turkolefteri, Who Had Been Converted by Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian

A 103 Year Old Woman Who Was Baptized by St. Arsenios and is Related to St. Paisios

A 103 Year Old Woman Recalls Having Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia as a Village Priest and Her Difficult Life

The Tomb of Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia

The Story of Saint Paisios' Book About Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian

The Story Behind the Biography of St. Arsenios Written by St. Paisios

The Church of Saints Jonah and Barachisios in Farasa of Cappadocia

A Church Dedicated to St. Arsenios of Cappadocia and St. Paisios the Athonite in Cyprus

Saint Paisios the Athonite Resource Page

The Story Behind the Biography of St. Arsenios Written by St. Paisios

By Hieromonk Christodoulos the Athonite

Elder Paisios very much loved, honored and revered Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia. He had a desire to transfer this love and reverence to the entire world, which is why he decided to write his biography and the miracles he did while alive. While writing the book the Elder worked very hard going from one place to another looking to find the elderly from Farasa, to tell him of their personal experiences that they had with Saint Arsenios, the Hatzefenti.

He finished writing the biography on the feast of Saint Theodore, on February 8/21, 1971. Two hours before sunset, while carefully reviewing the biography of the Saint to see if it needed any corrections, Saint Arsenios visited him, and as he himself testifies, he caressed him, like a teacher does with his student when he rests after handing in a lesson. As to what the Elder felt in the following hours after this divine visitation, it cannot be described in words. His desire to write the biography of Saint Arsenios was completed and he was rewarded in this wonderful manner! The result was that thirsty souls - who came to know through this book Saint Arsenios and believed in him - called upon him in their difficult moments and problems and he in turn responds and helps whoever invokes him with faith. The miracles that Saint Arsenios continues to do are very many and the joy of Elder Paisios, who wrote his biography, could not be described!

The Pastoral Use of the Book of Psalms by St. Arsenios of Cappadocia

St. Arsenios of Cappadocia (1840-1924) is famous not only for his own sanctity and miracles, but also for having baptized his namesake Arsenios Eznepides, known to us today as St. Paisios the Athonite. St. Paisios, out of his great love for St. Arsenios and a desire to make him more widely known, wrote his biography.

Being a priest, St. Arsenios needed to read blessings for various occasions. However, the Euchologion (a book of prayers used by Orthodox priests) was not enough, because there were occasions when it did not provide a prayer. Thus, St. Arsenios used the Psalms of the Psalter for each specific case as a prayer.

When St. Arsenios of Cappadocia Was Rescued by St. George

Saint Arsenios was born around 1840 in Farasa of Cappadocia. His virtuous parents, Eleutherios and Barbara, had two sons, Vlasios and Theodoros (St. Arsenios), who were left orphans at an early age, and were thus raised by their mother's sister.

The following story was recorded for us by his biographer, St. Paisios the Athonite, concerning an incident when Vlasios and Theodoros were young in age:

When St. Arsenios of Cappadocia Saw St. Haralambos in the Holy Water

"Once, on Saint Haralambos' day," Prodromos (St. Arsenios' chanter) used to say, "we went to the Panagia (in Kantsi) for an all-night vigil. When we got to Matins, Hatzefendis (this is what they called St. Arsenios) left the sanctuary so we could chant together. While we were chanting at the same lectern, I suddenly saw a white-haired old man at the lectern opposite, bent and supporting himself on a staff, and I started to tremble in awe. When Hatzefendis saw me trembling, he asked:

'Are you cold?'

A Church Dedicated to St. Arsenios of Cappadocia and St. Paisios the Athonite in Cyprus

Following the Canonization of Elder Paisios the Athonite by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Church of Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia and Saint Paisios the Athonite, located in an area of Ekali in Limassol, will be dedicated on Friday 23 January 2015. This will be done by Metropolitan Athansios of Limassol, among other hierarchs and clergy. Originally the church was solely dedicated to St. Arsenios, but with the canonization of Elder Paisios, he was included.

It is situated on the north side of the Nicosia-Limassol motorway, near Tsirion Stadium. The Church is of Βyzantine style with two domes and four chapels. Temporarily, the Liturgy takes place at the semi-underground site of the Church, where are two chapels. One of them is dedicated to Panagia Mahairiotissa, and includes an authentic copy of the miraculous icon of Panagia Mahairiotissa, exhibited for veneration. The second chapel is dedicated to St. David of Evia. The Third chapel is dedicated to Sts. Varachisios and Jonah, in commemoration of the church in which St. Arsenios celebrated the Divine Liturgy in Farasa of Cappadocia.

Every Monday afternoon at 6.30 p.m. there is a Holy Supplication Service, dedicated either to St Arsenios of Cappadocia, where the precious relics of the Saint are exhibited for veneration, or to Panagia Mahairiotissa, or to Panagia Elaiovrytissa (done before the icon of Panagia Elaiovrytissa, transferred from Vatopaidi Monastery of Mount Athos), or to St. David, or to St Mamas the Great Martyr. During the Supplication to St. Mamas, there is a part of the precious relics of the Saint exhibited for veneration, donated to the Church from the Holy Monastery of Simonopetra of Mount Athos. The Small Compline Service takes place every day, with the exception of August, at 6.30 p.m.

At the same place, you can find an ecclesiastical bookshop, an entertainment room for youth, a library and guest quarters. Covering an area of 1500 square metres in total, this is the largest church that has been built in the city of Limassol.

See more about this church here.

The Personality of Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian (2 of 2)

...continued from part one.

"Our Faith Is Not Sold"

He never took money for healings, nor did he touch it with his hands. He was accustomed to saying that "our faith is not sold"! For instance, as Elder Paisios records:

A. Once they brought to Hatzefendis, from Tsahiroudes, a newly-married, possessed Turkish woman, bound with chains, for him to read prayers over. Since he was in retreat that day, the poor soul's relatives begged the church wardens to persuade him to receive them, because, although they had her tied up, they still could not keep her under control. Father Arsenios received them, and signaled them to release her. No sooner was the possessed woman set free, however, than she rushed at Father Arsenios, grabbed one of his legs and bit it. He was holding the Gospel to read over her, but he did not open it, just tapped her gently three times on the head and the demon at once left the woman, who then started to cry and kiss with reverence Father Arsenios' leg which she had bitten. Her father also fell at his feet and begged him to accept his whole kese (purse) and said:

The Personality of Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian (1 of 2)

In 1986 the Ecumenical Patriarchate officially recognized the holiness of Saint Arsenios the New and Wonderworker (+ 1924), the godfather of Elder Paisios the Athonite, and established his memory to be celebrated on November 10th, the day of his repose.

The disposition of Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian recalls the teachings of the Gospel he applied throughout his life.

By the grace of God he showed himself to be a Gospel in the flesh. He evaluated everything, both earthly and heavenly, always having Christ as the measure. Whatever was not pleasing to Christ, he rejected as chaff and an abominable thing.

The Baptismal Font of Elder Paisios the Athonite

Today, November 10th, our holy Church honors the memory of Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia. Saint Arsenios baptized Elder Paisios as an infant in Farasa, and he ordered his parents to give the child his name and not the name Christos that belonged to his grandfather. He then prophesied the meaning behind this: "It is good that you want to leave someone at the foot of the grandfather, yet do I not want to leave a monk at my feet?"

The Tomb of Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia

St. Arsenios of Cappadocia reposed on November 10, 1924. In 1958 his relics were brought from Kerkyra to Konitsa by Elder Paisios, and in 1970 the same Elder Paisios brought them to the female monastery dedicated to St. John the Theologian in Souroti. On February 11, 1986 he was glorified as a Saint by the Ecumenical Patriarchate. His relics have become a source of many miracles.

Below is a photo of a portion of his relics in the Church of Panagia Nafpliou in Nafplion, his skull in the monastery of Souroti, Elder Paisios with the skull of St. Arsenios, his tombstone, and a video of Farasa where St. Arsenios served as a priest in Asia Minor.

St. Arsenios of Cappadocia Betrayed By Divine Grace

By Elder Paisios the Athonite

Father Arsenios often went to the Holy Land on pilgrimage. We know of about five times.

The third time he went, something happened in the Church of the Resurrection and the story was spread around Farasa by Father Arsenios' fellow-pilgrims (the Farasiote Hadjis):

"At the time of the Divine Liturgy, during the procession of the Great Entrance in which Hatzefendis* was taking part together with a large number of priests and bishops, his face was shining and they asked us to tell them about the sort of life our Hatzefendis led."

I had heard about this from old Prodromos and other Farasiotes in Konitsa, but I was not so interested in things which happened a long way off, since so much had taken place in Farasa itself.

In 1971, quite by chance while we were talking, I heard about this occurrence from the Elder Joseph of New Skete (on the Holy Mountain) who had read about it in a book by Father Joachim Spetsieris called "On Holy Communion", in which he states that he, too, was a concelebrant.

When I myself had read the copy of the book, I tried to find out if there were any children still alive of those Hadjis who had been on that pilgrimage with Father Arsenios.

I calculated from Father Arsenios' rule that he went to the Holy Land every ten years and that since he went for the first time after his ordination into the priesthood (in about 1870), it must have been this third time, that is about 1890, that this event happened, which is also known to younger Farasiotes, apart from the old ones, in Horisti in Drama (Moisis Koglanidis, Vasilios Karopoulos and others) and in Petrousa in Drama (Anestis Karaousoglou and others).

From this extract which follows concerning the narration of the miracles of Father Arsenios, it is not difficult to see that this, too, is imbued with the spiritual aroma of Hatzefendis.

(Copied from the book "On Holy Communion", by Father Joachim Spetsieris, published by G.K. Rodis, Athens 1937.):

"Another event which took place on the Sunday of Orthodoxy in the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem. The celebrant was Patriarch Nikodemos, and concelebrating were six bishops, twelve deacons and more than forty priests. Indeed, many of the priests were pilgrims from the East, from Russia and other parts. I was among the concelebrant priests, too. After the Great Entrance, and when the celebrating patriarch read the prayer and blessed the Precious Gifts, the face of one of the concelebrating priests shone brightly, which made a strong impression on me. This priest would have been past the seventieth year of his life. I asked other priests, saying: 'Where is this priest from?' They told me from Cappadocia and that he came as a pilgrim. After the Divine Liturgy I asked: 'Had others come from that place where this priest was from?' 'Yes', they told me, 'other pilgrims had come with this priest.' 'Please', I said to one of the deacons, ' call one or two of the pilgrims who have come with this priest.' The deacon called, and three came. I said to them: 'Are you from the same place as that priest who was a concelebrant today?' 'Indeed', they replied, 'from the same place, and that priest is ours.' Again I said to them: 'What sort of life does he lead? Is he a good priest?' They said to me: 'He is a holy man; he works miracles so that if he reads a prayer over someone who is sick, the patient becomes well, so that not only we but the Turks, too, consider him a saint, because he works miracles among them, also, and heals the sick...."

In the immaterialised person of Father Arsenios, the man of God, the spiritual laws prevailed: although he lived in secret and avoided the glories of the world, the Grace of God betrayed him.

* A name by which Father Arsenios was called due to his pilgrimages to the Holy Land; a Hadji is a pilgrim of the Holy Land.

From Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia, by Monk Paisios of the Holy Mountain, 1989, pp. 118-120.

Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian (+ 1924)

St. Arsenios the Cappadocian (Feast Day - November 10)

The life of Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia was written by Elder Paisios the Athonite, who was baptized by St. Arsenios prior to the Saint's death, and who safekept the sacred skull of the Saint in his Cell.

Cappadocia (in eastern Turkey) is virtually devoid of Christians now, but in 1840, when St Arsenios was born there, there were still vital Orthodox communities. He became a monk and was sent to his native town, Farasa, to serve the people as a priest. He became known as a mighty intercessor before God, praying for all who came to him, Muslims as well as Christians. His countless miracles of healing became known throughout Cappadocia; those who could not come to see him would sometimes send articles of clothing for him to pray over.

He became known as Hadjiefendis, a Muslim term of honor for pilgrims, because he made pilgrimage to the Holy Land every ten years on foot. He never accepted any gifts in return for his prayers and healings, saying: "Our faith is not for sale!" He concealed his holiness as much as he could beneath a rough and sharp-tempered exterior. If anyone expressed admiration for him, he would reply: "So you think I'm a saint? I'm only a sinner worse than you. Don't you see that I even lose my temper? The miracles you see are done by Christ. I do no more than lift up my hands and pray to him." But as the Scriptures say, "the prayers of a righteous man avail much", and when St Arsenios lifted up his hands, wonders often followed. He lived in a small cell with an earthen floor, fasted often and was in the habit of shutting himself in his cell for at least two whole days every week to devote himself entirely to prayer.

Father Arsenios predicted the expulsion of the Greeks from Asia Minor before it happened, and organized his flock for departure. When the expulsion order came in 1924, the aged Saint led his faithful on a 400-mile journey across Turkey on foot. He had foretold that he would only live forty days after reaching Greece, and this came to pass. The Theotokos appeared to St. Arsenios three days prior to his repose and took him to all the monasteries and churches of Mount Athos, which he had longed to visit and see. His last words were: "The soul, the soul, take care of it more than the flesh, which will return to earth and be eaten by worms!" Two days later, on 10 November 1924, he died in peace at the age of eighty-three on the island of Kerkyra.

In 1958 Elder Paisios transferred the relics of St. Arsenios from Kerkyra to his village in Konitsa, and the same once again transferred the holy relics to the Monastery of St. John the Theologian in Souroti near Thessaloniki. Since 1970, many apparitions and miracles have occurred near his holy relics, which reside in the Monastery of Souroti near Thessaloniki. He was officially glorified by the Patriarchate of Constantinople on 11 February 1986.  

Apolytikion in the Third Tone
Your godly life well-spent, as a vessel of the Spirit, honourable, you shone, Arsenios inspired by God. Endowed with the grace of miracles, you swiftly send aid to all. Beseech, Blessed Father, Christ our God, to grant us His great mercy.  

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Cappadocia's new-sprung flower and precious vessel of virtues, Holy Arsenios, let me hymn. For as an angel he lived in the flesh, and now resides with all the Saints. With them, he ever prays to Christ to grant us forgiveness of our sins.

St. Arsenios of Cappadocia Heals a Woman of Despair and Saves Her From Suicide

St. Arsenios of Cappadocia (Feast Day - November 10)

By Elder Paisios the Athonite

One time, a Farasiote woman had fallen into despair, because her husband had died a few years after their marriage, and now she did not want to have anything to do either with her village or with people, and was living on wild plants, in caves, because she had also been a factor in his death.

After about three years, unrecognizable because of what she had been going through, she visited Father Arsenios, and said to him:

"Hatzefendis, your blessing. You turn the world upside down. Can't you bring back my Vasilakis? Is it difficult for you?"

Father Arsenios answered her:

"My child, you've had a very hard time with your mourning. If you want, I give you my blessing to be married."

Said she:

"No, what I want is to see my Vasilakis. Won't you be upset if I kill myself?"

Father Arsenios was deeply pained and begged her:

"Don't do that, child. Don't give your soul to the demons."

But she was in a terrible state and kept saying that she would, too. Then Father Arsenios calmed her down and told her to go back to the cave where she was living and that Vasilakis would appear to her there, so she could see him and be reconciled. And he continuously prayed, with grievous pain.

Hardly had she arrived at the cave when Vasilakis appeared to her in a vision and said to her: "You villain, have you come here as well? But I know who sent you. Hatzefendis, who has great boldness towards God." His repentant wife then begged his forgiveness, and when she had been given it, Vasilakis disappeared once more and she returned peacefully to the village where she now lived quietly and in repentance.

Although the Evil One had played a part in making her, too, a cause of her husband's death, the same Evil One then brought her to despair so she would commit suicide. The Good Lord, however, did not allow her soul to perish, through His faithful servant Arsenios.

Apolytikion in Tone 3
Your godly life well-spent, as a vessel of the Spirit, honourable, you shone, Arsenios inspired by God. Endowed with the grace of miracles, you swiftly send aid to all. Beseech, Blessed Father, Christ our God, to grant us His great mercy.

Kontakion in Tone 4
Cappadocia's new-sprung flower and precious vessel of virtues, Holy Arsenios, let me hymn. For as an angel he lived in the flesh, and now resides with all the Saints. With them, he ever prays to Christ to grant us forgiveness of our sins.