To understand what should be asked before the image of the holy elder, you need to know who this man was and why he was honored with canonization. Not so long ago, the elder acquired the official status of "saint." Paisy Svyatrets, whose icon helps people cope with various troubles and misfortunes, was canonized in the person of the saint in the present century, in 2015.
Who was this man?
Paisius - the name that was received after taking monastic tonsure and giving the vow of the schema Arseny Esnepidis, Greek carpenter. He was born at the beginning of the last century, in 1924, in eastern Cappadocia, in the village of Farasy.
Paisius died at the end of the past century, in 1994, in the monastery of St. John the Evangelist, in Thessaloniki. At the time of his death, the elder was a schema monk. This is a special spiritual title that is bestowed only on those who have taken the vow of the schema. This vow includes two levels of oaths - small and great, as well as a special robe. But the shimniks differ from ordinary monks, of course, not only by their clothes, but also by their lifestyle. Those who have made such a vow in everything in life adhere to very strict, ascetic rules.
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 instructions. How the holy elder is revered by the churches of Constantinople and Russian.
How did the saint's life begin? Who christened him?
The second Greek-Turkish war, which ended with the signing of the Lausanne Peace Treaty, led to the implementation of forced relocation, the so-called exchange of people between countries. The forced resettlement involved Turkey, Greece and Bulgaria. This is the beginning in 1923. In such a difficult time, a boy was born into the family of Prodromos and Eulampia, who was named Arseny.
The icon of Paisius Svyatogorets, whose photo can be seen in the article, looks very similar to another image - Arseny of Cappadocia, who is also revered in the face of the saints. This similarity is not an accident, since it was Arseny of Cappadocia who baptized the boy, called him and predicted the future for him, connected with the spiritual sphere of life.
In the fall of 1924, the family of the future saint was near Ioannina, in the town of Konitsa, where Paisiy grew up, received his education and profession as a carpenter.
How did this man become a monk? Who was his first spiritual guide?
Paisius's childhood and youth fell on the years in which wars were constantly waged in the world. Of course, he could not avoid military service. He became a military man in 1945, having been called up for service in the midst of the Greek Civil War. Paisiy did not participate directly in the hostilities; he served as a radio operator for a little over three years.
Returning to civilian life, the future saint schemnik felt firm confidence in the need to accept tonsure. However, before deciding to take this step, he was obliged to take care of his family, sisters.
Only in 1950 he managed to climb the holy mountain Athos and become a novice. Cyril, the future abbot of the Athos monastery Kutlumush became the spiritual mentor of Paisius. The future saint received tonsure at Ryasophor in 1954, at the Esfigmen Monastery. At that moment he was named Averky. And in 1957, he vowed the little schema and gained the name Paisius.
How is the icon made? Description
The icon of Paisius Svyatogorets, the description of the canonical execution of which includes two types - waist and growth, is represented in almost every Orthodox church. It will not be difficult to find her in church shops.
Usually depicted is a saint to the waist, with a scroll in one hand and a staff in the other. The image of an old man can be performed both in a cassock and without it, but invariably with a lush gray beard. It is such an icon of Paisius Svyatogorts who 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 looks familiar to the perception, since in this manner most of the traditional Orthodox icons are written.
Another type of image represents the saint in full growth, as a rule, with a crucifix in the hands and in the cassock's cassock. The icon of Paisius the Holy Mountaineer of this type of fulfillment is usually presented in the prayer halls of churches.
How does the image help?
Like any image of an Orthodox saint, this one helps those whose heart is filled with sincere faith in the power of the Almighty, humility and hope in the mercy of God. In Orthodoxy there is no nominal division into what we should pray before in a concrete way. It is not the image of the saint that helps people, but the Lord. The icon of Paisius the Holy Mountaineer is no exception.
Accordingly, you can pray to the saint in any need. However, it is generally accepted that before the image one should ask for healing to those who suffer from cancer. The miraculous recovery of cancer patients is the first thing the priests recall, answering questions about what the icon of Paisius Svyatogorets helps in. 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?
The prayer of Paisius, like any Christian saint, can be pronounced from the heart, in his own words. Of course, it is not forbidden to use ready-made texts. Choosing the right one among them, you should pay attention to the simplicity and comprehensibility of the presentation. The easier it is in the pronunciation and perception of the phrase of the prayer text, the easier it is for a person to concentrate on his request, and this is extremely important.
Of course, asking for the help of the holy elder should be in the temple. But if the house has an icon of Paisius the Holy Mountaineer, then you can pray and not visit church halls. However, one must take into account that the prayer uttered in God's temple, as a rule, is more effective. This feature is due to the fact that the thoughts of a modern person are full of vain concerns, worldly problems, which can be extremely difficult to get rid of. The situation in the church is special, the prayer atmosphere reigns in the church, which contributes to the concentration of a person in prayer. And of course, when you are in church, you should not forget to place a candle in the face of the holy elder.
An example of the text of a prayer: “Rev. Paisius, holy elder of Mount Athos! Our patron and protector before the Lord, mentor and comforter, enlightener and spiritual father! I appeal to you, father, without a secret intention, with a pure heart and firmness of spirit, with rapture on the power of God and humility. I beg you for help in my worldly affairs and worldly concerns. I ask you for health and longevity in order to accomplish good deeds for the glory of our Lord. I ask for the cessation of civil strife, both great and small. I pray for endowing me and all people close and distant with wisdom and patience, and the bestowing meekness and humility. May anger and pride, money-grubbing and vanity pass me by. I beg your blessings, Father. Amen".