Saint Paisios: From Civil War Radio Operator to Holy Mount Hermit
The post shows the path to Panagouda, the humble cell of Saint Paisios on Mount Athos, and includes a video summary of his life. Before monasticism he was Arsenios Hatzis, a radio operator in the Greek Civil War who repeatedly chose the most dangerous posts so that men with families could be spared. He bore the safety of others as a joy. Later he went to the Holy Mountain and took the name Paisios.
Pilgrims climbed for hours to reach his small hut, and he received each one, often naming their sorrow before they spoke. He gave his days to prayer and his heart to everyone who sought him. His counsel remains: guard the heart, forgive quickly, trust each care to God, and let humility open the way to joy. The post ends with a short prayer to Saint Paisios in English and Greek.
Key moments
- Arsenios Hatzis served as a radio operator in the Greek Civil War and repeatedly took the most dangerous posts so that men with wives and children might be spared.
- He carried the safety of others on his own shoulders and counted it a joy.
- He went to the Holy Mount and took the name Paisios.
- Pilgrims climbed for hours to reach his small hut and he received each one, often naming the sorrow before a word was spoken.
- He gave his days to prayer and his heart to everyone who sought him.
- His counsel: guard the heart, forgive quickly, trust each care to God, and let humility open the way to joy.