St Paisios of Mount Athos - buon fresco, 22k gold-leaf 12x12 on ceramic tile by iLia Fresco

Our venerable and God-bearing Father Paisios of Mount Athos (July 25, 1924 – July 12, 1994), also known as Elder Paisios (Greek: Γέροντας Παΐσιος ο Αγιορείτης), was a monastic of Mount Athos. An ascetic, he was known by his visitors for his gentle manner and acceptance of those who came to receive his advice, counsel, and blessing. His words of counsel continue to be published. [1] Elder Paisios was canonized on January 13, 2015, by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.[1][2] The Church commemorates St. Paisios on July 12. The Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate canonized Elder Paisios on 13 January 2015. Paisios' process toward acknowledged sainthood happened quickly according to church standards and was the second-fastest process in recent church history. On Sunday 17 January 2015 many faithful from across the Balkans went on pilgrimage to the monastery in Souroti, which Paisios helped found in 1967; this culminated in five nights of continuous prayers. Archbishop Damianos of Sinai, abbot of St. Catherine's Orthodox Monastery in Egypt's Sinai peninsula since 1973, was also present at the ceremonies. The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church decided at its meeting of 5 May 2015 also to add the name of the Venerable Paisios of Mount Athos (Святой Паисий Святогорец - Svyatoy Paisiy Svyatogorets) to the Menology of the Russian Orthodox Church, establishing his feast day on June 29/July 12, aligning with the Menology of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople during the present century

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Our Lord Jesus Christ, do not desert your servants who at present are away from the Church, but through your love and grace bring everybody close to you. Remember Lord all your servants who are in pain, who are in despair, who are sick, who are poor, who have lost a loved one, who have been wronged, who are by themselves, who have been slandered, who are captives, who are hungry, who are refugees, who have lost their ways, who have been deceived, who are unprotected, who are in prison. Remember Lord your servants who are suffering from cancer. Remember Lord your servants who suffer from small but also from serious illnesses and diseases. Remember Lord your servants who are disabled. Remember Lord your servants who have psychological problems and diseases. Remember Lord all of our public servants and help them to govern as Christians. Remember Lord all the children who come from broken families. Remember Lord all the broken families and those who have been divorced. Remember Lord all the orphans of this world and all of those who have lost their spouses. Remember Lord your servants who are in prison, who are anarchists, who are drug addicts, who have killed, who have stolen, who have committed a crime. Enlighten them and help them to change their ways and come to You. Remember Lord your servants who are away from their homes and live in a foreign land. Remember Lord your servants who are travelling today by sea, by air, or by land and protect them. Remember Lord our Church, our priests, and all the faithful. Remember Lord our monks and nuns, our abbots and abbesses, our spiritual guides, our brotherhoods and all the monastics from the Holy Mountain and the Holy Land. Remember Lord your servants who are in the midst of war. Remember Lord your servants who are being hunted. Remember Lord your servants who have lost their homes and their jobs. Remember Lord your servants who are homeless. Remember Lord all the nations of the world. Keep them in your embrace and cover and protect them from war and evil. Keep our beloved country day and night protected from war and evil. Remember Lord your servants who have been abandoned and have suffered injustice. Have mercy on families that are going through trying times. Pour your abundant love and mercy upon them. Remember Lord your servants who suffer from any kind of problems of the body, soul, and mind. Remember Lord your servants who are in despair, help them and give them peace. Remember Lord your servants who asked for our prayers. Remember Lord and all of those who have left this life and grant their souls rest and peace.

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