Elder Paisios - Prophecies.. and to my Jew fellows as well..

 

Saint Paisios the Athonite on the Rabbis

Elder, the Jews, while reading the Old Testament, how do they not believe in Christ? (1/5/2017)

— Elder, the Jews, while reading the Old Testament, how do they not believe in Christ?

— Why don't you go and tell this to the Jews? The Jews have always had fanaticism. They understand, but it is pride that blinds them. If they paid a little attention, not a single Jew would remain.

— How did they interpret what they read?

— How they interpreted it and how they interpret it! They turn spiritual meanings into material ones. For example, what the Prophet Isaiah says, "the deserts of the Jordan shall blossom," see how they interpreted it. To show that the desert has blossomed, they diverted a river, made terraces, gardens, planted banana trees, lemon trees, orange trees, created entire orchards, and so they say "the desert has blossomed"! They interpret everything like this. Whereas these words of the Prophet refer to the regeneration of the world through Holy Baptism, through the bath of regeneration.

— Now they are waiting for the earthly king?

— Yes, the Antichrist. The Rabbis know that the Messiah has come and that they crucified Him. I have learned from a certain person that, when a Jew is dying, the Rabbi goes and whispers in his ear: "The Messiah has come." You see, their conscience troubles them because they feel guilt, but they do not humble themselves.

— And what do they gain by saying it at that moment?

— Nothing; they simply say it because their conscience troubles them, and they think that, since they said it, they are okay!...

— And the others do not hear?

— No, they say it in the ear. And the Jewish children have rebelled against the Rabbis. "The Messiah has come," they say; "which Messiah are you waiting for?" In America, a group of young people who study the Holy Bible historically publish a magazine in which they write: "The Messiah has come. To anyone who does not believe that the Messiah has come, we will send the magazine for free until they believe. Whoever believes should send a subscription so that we can send it to others too, for them to believe."

— Are these Jews?

— Yes, Jews.

— Have they become Christians?

— Well, now, believing something is a start.

— Could there be Crypto-Christian Rabbis?

— Rabbis to be Crypto-Christians? Does one remain a Rabbi if he becomes a Christian? That is, to teach the Jews that the Messiah has not come and, when they are dying, to tell them that the Messiah has come?

WORDS Volume B SPIRITUAL AWAKENING (2001 Edition)

Old Testament Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled in Jesus Christ

1. Seed of a Woman (Virgin Birth) — Genesis 3:15: "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." The Messiah would be born of a woman's seed, crushing the serpent's head. Fulfilled in Galatians 4:4; Matthew 1:18–25.
2. Ox and Ass Recognize the Master in the Manger — Isaiah 1:3: "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider." The ox and donkey recognize their master's manger. Traditionally applied to the nativity. Fulfilled in Luke 2:7, 12, 16.
3. Descendant of Abraham — Genesis 12:3; 22:18: "And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." All nations blessed through Abraham's seed. Fulfilled in Matthew 1:1; Galatians 3:16.
4. Descendant of Isaac — Genesis 17:19; 21:12: Through Isaac's line. Fulfilled in Luke 3:34.
5. Descendant of Jacob — Numbers 24:17: "There shall come a Star out of Jacob." Fulfilled in Matthew 1:2.
6. From Tribe of Judah — Genesis 49:10: "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah... until Shiloh come." Fulfilled in Luke 3:33; Hebrews 7:14.
7. Heir to David's Throne — 2 Samuel 7:12–13; Isaiah 9:7: Eternal kingdom on David's throne. Fulfilled in Luke 1:32–33.
8. Born in Bethlehem — Micah 5:2: "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah... out of thee shall he come forth... whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." Fulfilled in Matthew 2:1–6.
9. Born of a Virgin — Isaiah 7:14: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Fulfilled in Matthew 1:22–23; Luke 1:26–35.
10. Called "Mighty God" — Isaiah 9:6: "For unto us a child is born... The mighty God, The everlasting Father..." Fulfilled in John 1:1–14; Colossians 2:9.
11. Massacre of Innocents — Jeremiah 31:15: "A voice was heard in Ramah... Rahel weeping for her children." Fulfilled in Matthew 2:16–18.
12. Flight to Egypt — Hosea 11:1: "I called my son out of Egypt." Fulfilled in Matthew 2:14–15.
13. Preceded by a Forerunner — Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1: "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord." Fulfilled in Matthew 3:1–3; John 1:23.
14. Anointed by the Spirit — Isaiah 11:2; 61:1: "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me..." Fulfilled in Luke 4:18–21.
15. Ministry of Miracles — Isaiah 35:5–6: "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened..." Fulfilled in Matthew 11:4–6.
16. Entry on a Donkey — Zechariah 9:9: "Thy King cometh unto thee... lowly, and riding upon an ass." Fulfilled in Matthew 21:1–11.
17. Betrayed for 30 Silver Pieces — Zechariah 11:12: "They weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver." Fulfilled in Matthew 26:14–15; 27:3–10.
18. Suffering Servant — Isaiah 53 (entire): "He was wounded for our transgressions... the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." Fulfilled in Acts 8:32–35; 1 Peter 2:24–25.
19. Silent Before Accusers — Isaiah 53:7: "He opened not his mouth..." Fulfilled in Matthew 27:12–14.
20. Bones Not Broken — Psalm 34:20: "He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken." Fulfilled in John 19:31–36.

   Messianic Psalms 

21. Psalm 2:1–12 — The nations rage against the Lord's Anointed; God installs His King on Zion; "Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee." Kiss the Son lest He be angry. Fulfilled in Acts 4:25–28; 13:33; Hebrews 1:5; Revelation 2:27 (Messiah as God's begotten Son and reigning King).
22. Psalm 8:2 — "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength." Fulfilled in Matthew 21:16 (children praising Jesus in the temple).
23. Psalm 8:4–6 — "What is man... thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory..." Fulfilled in Hebrews 2:6–9 (applied to Jesus' incarnation and exaltation).
24. Psalm 16:8–11 — "Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption." Fulfilled in Acts 2:25–31; 13:35–37 (Messiah's resurrection).
25. Psalm 22 (entire) — Crucifixion psalm: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"... "They pierced my hands and my feet"... "They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture." Fulfilled in Matthew 27:35–46; Mark 15:24; John 19:23–24, 28 (Jesus' words on the cross, piercing, gambling for clothes).
26. Psalm 31:5 — "Into thine hand I commit my spirit." Fulfilled in Luke 23:46 (Jesus' last words).
27. Psalm 34:20 — (Already listed above as #20).
28. Psalm 40:6–8 — "Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire... Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me." Fulfilled in Hebrews 10:5–9 (Jesus coming to do God's will, replacing sacrifices).
29. Psalm 41:9 — "Yea, mine own familiar friend... hath lifted up his heel against me." Fulfilled in John 13:18 (Judas' betrayal).
30. Psalm 45:6–7 — "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever... therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee." Fulfilled in Hebrews 1:8–9 (Messiah addressed as God).
31. Psalm 68:18 — "Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men." Fulfilled in Ephesians 4:8; Acts 1:9 (ascension and gifts of the Spirit).
32. Psalm 69:4 — "They hated me without a cause." Fulfilled in John 15:25.
33. Psalm 69:9 — "The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up." Fulfilled in John 2:17 (cleansing the temple).
34. Psalm 69:21 — "They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink." Fulfilled in Matthew 27:34, 48; John 19:28–29.
35. Psalm 72 (entire) — The righteous King who rules forever, brings peace, all nations serve Him. Applied to Jesus' eternal kingdom.
36. Psalm 110:1 — "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." Fulfilled in Matthew 22:44; Acts 2:34–35; Hebrews 1:13 (most quoted OT verse in NT).
37. Psalm 110:4 — "Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." Fulfilled in Hebrews 5:6; 7:17–21 (Jesus' eternal priesthood).
38. Psalm 118:22–23 — "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner." Fulfilled in Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:7.
39. Psalm 118:25–26 — "Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord." Fulfilled in Matthew 21:9 (Palm Sunday entry).

Worldwide Ancient Prophecies and Mythic Parallels Matching the Incarnation, Suffering, Crucifixion, Descent, Resurrection, and Coming of God in Jesus Christ

• Virgil's Fourth Eclogue (c. 40 BCE): Describes a divine child ushering in a golden age, ending strife and sin. Presented by Church Fathers as prophecy of Christ's birth.
• Sibylline Oracles (Ellenik/Roman): Oracles of a divine savior and world renewal, interpreted by early Christians as referring to Jesus.
• Zoroastrian Saoshyant (Persian): Miraculous savior born of virgin-like conception, raises the dead, final judgment, world renovation.
• Plato's Just Man (Republic Book II): The perfectly righteous man scourged, racked, and crucified—seen as foretelling Christ's passion.
• Prometheus Myth (Greek): Divine benefactor chained, tortured (side pierced), suffers for humanity's enlightenment and redemption.
• Hercules (Heracles) Myth (Ellenik): Descends to Hades, conquers death, rescues souls, dies in agony, ascends as god—parallels harrowing of hell and resurrection.

Elder Paisios - Prophecies

Holy Church of Saint George, Chaidari

ARCHIMANDRITE THEOKLITOS, PROTO-SYNCELLUS Holy Metropolis of Aetoloacarnania

I was particularly impressed by the fact that he spoke a great deal at that time about Constantinople and its return to the Greeks. He believed that this would not be long in coming. I was astonished. I said to him: "Elder, how can this happen? It seems impossible to me for the City to become Greek again." And the Elder replied: "My child, God is all-powerful. If He just turns the screw a little in the minds of the powerful ones of the earth—just a little, not much, one turn with His screwdriver—everything can happen. Nothing is impossible for God."

He meant that we would take the City through war; they would give it to us, they would cede it to us.

Testimonies of Pilgrims: Elder Paisios the Athonite, 1924-1994, 2nd Edition, p. 212

ECONOMOS ALEXANDROS, Retired Air Force Wing Commander, Athens

In March 1994, I met Elder Paisios at the Monastery of Souroti. I was moved when he took my hand, and despite the critical state of his health, he said the following to me: "You should not be upset or afraid of Turkey. Turkey will disintegrate, and indeed, its own allies will disintegrate it. A Muslim state will be created in Bosnia (at that time, no such state existed), but this event will turn against them, because correspondingly, a Kurdish state will later be created in the heart of Turkey." When the Elder saw that I was troubled hearing these things, he said again: "As you know, I don't read newspapers, but I learn these things from elsewhere..."

Testimonies of Pilgrims: Elder Paisios the Athonite, 1924-1994, 2nd Edition, p. 412

ORPHANOS ANTONIOS, Retired Lieutenant Colonel, Thessaloniki

Together with my family, we visited the Elder at the Monastery of Souroti. He always gave his blessing and encouragement, even though he was in a difficult health condition. He never lost his peace and serenity, and he boosted our morale. Regarding the difficult situation in the present era, he told us: "Do not be upset, my children. God loves Greece and the Greeks very much. Even if only a few, countable on the fingers of one hand, remain faithful, God will protect Greece." Because many things happen from time to time with our neighbors from the East, when we asked him to tell us how we would escape this deadlock, this permanent threat, he told us not to worry and that the final outcome would be in favor of the Greeks. However, since we are refugees by origin, we asked him more specifically about Constantinople. He told us that we would take the City. He said it and believed it. You could see it in his eyes. We might lose 1-2 small islands at the beginning, but the final outcome will be in our favor. Of course, he did not specify exactly when, but he used the expression "the time is very near."

Testimonies of Pilgrims: Elder Paisios the Athonite, 1924-1994, 2nd Edition, p. 426

MAVROKEFALOS ANESTIS, Physical Education Teacher, Alexandroupoli

Once, I had gone to the Elder with a friend, and there we met a group of five young people. Then I asked the Elder what developments he foresaw regarding Turkey. "Elder," I said, "we are from Alexandroupoli. Might the storm hit us there?"

He replied: "Look here. The Turks will not enter Alexandroupoli. They will only make one provocation against Greece, related to the territorial waters zone. And we will suffer hunger. Greece will go hungry. And because this storm will last for some time—months it will be—we will say 'bread' as 'little bread.'"

Then I asked: "Elder, how will I understand that we are close to war?" "When," he said, "you hear on television that the issue of the miles is being discussed—the extension of the territorial waters from 6 to 12 miles—then war is coming from behind. It follows." I said: "And which countries will participate?" "Look, after the Turkish provocation, the Russians will come down to the Straits. Not to help us. They will have other interests. But, without wanting to, they will help us. Then, the Turks, to defend the Straits, which are of strategic importance, will gather more troops there. At the same time, they will withdraw forces from occupied territories. But then the other European countries—specifically England, France, Italy, and six or seven other EEC countries—will see that Russia will seize parts, so they will say: 'Shall we not go there too, to take a piece?' Everyone, however, will chase the lion's share. Thus, the Europeans will also enter the war."

At this point, I asked: "What will we do? Will the Greek army participate in this war?" "No," he said. "The government will decide not to send troops. It will keep troops only at the borders. And it will be a great blessing that it does not participate. Because whoever participates in this war is lost... Then, because people in Greece will be afraid, many will turn to the Church, to God, and will repent. Therefore, because there will be repentance, we Greeks will not suffer harm. God will have mercy on Greece because the world will turn to the Church, to monasticism, and they will begin to pray. And many Turks will be baptized. Then, King Constantine will contribute, as a mediator, to give the City to Greece. He is pious, he is good."

"Elder," I asked afterward, "will they give the City to us?" "They will give it to us, not because they want to, but because this solution will serve the interests of the foreigners. Then they will realize this. What I am telling you, do not say to anyone. They will call you crazy. Because the circumstances are not ripe yet. Then you will understand." This conversation with the Elder took place in 1991, while I was serving in the army.

Another time, the Elder said: "The administration of the City, by us, will be both military and political." I also met three officers who had visited the Elder. Of the three officers, one said: "Only to me did the Elder say that I would be the commander of a military unit in the City. He mentioned nothing to the others."

Another group had gone to the Elder. One of them was studying civil engineering at the Polytechnic in Xanthi. At one moment, the Elder turns, points at him with his finger—this one, note that he was visiting the Elder for the first time—and says: "You, as a civil engineer, will contribute to the rebuilding of the City, because the City will be rebuilt from the beginning." He turned and pointed at him in front of everyone. The young man was then a student.

Then, the Elder turns to me and says: "And you, Anestis, will go to the City. And you two"—he pointed at me and my friend—"will go to the City, but for a different purpose." He did not reveal the purpose to me. After this, I developed the desire to learn Turkish.

Another time I had gone to the Elder's cell, there happened to be inside a young former Muslim from Thrace. I approached him and said: "How did you come here, to the Elder?" His name was Stavros. "Leave it," he said, "sit down and I'll tell you. The Elder performed a very great miracle on us, and my whole family believed. Then he came to the village and arranged for us to be baptized."

And on another visit to Panagouda, the Muslim who was baptized Stavros was also present. Then again, the Elder mentioned the events, how they would unfold with Constantinople. And when he reached the point where Greece would suffer and said that hunger would touch us, Mr. Stavros says: "Elder, should I keep a sack of flour to cope with that period and not let my children go hungry?" "No," he said, "do not take any, because your neighbor will have flour and will give it to you!" That is, the Elder foresaw who would help Mr. Stavros during the period of hunger. Of course, he would be living in the village. Now, those of us living in cities will say "bread" as "little bread." Therefore, another time, the Elder said: "Have a small plot of land and cultivate it a little. Near you, you will help someone who has none."

Testimonies of Pilgrims: Elder Paisios the Athonite, 1924-1994, 2nd Edition, p. 434

ELDER JOACHIM, Holy Skete of Prophet Elijah

Then I took courage, due to the national sentiments that distinguish me—I love this homeland very much—and said to him: "Some Greeks make the mistake of saying 'the lost homelands.' Elder, advise them to say 'the enslaved homelands' or 'unredeemed homelands.'" He embraced me again. He was such a patriot. He was so brilliant, so enlightened. I say these things and I am moved; I get chills. His face shone. "Thank you very much," he said, "for speaking this way. Few Greeks emphasize this. They are not indeed lost homelands; lost are those who say so!" I tell you these exactly as this holy man said them to me.

Testimonies of Pilgrims: Elder Paisios the Athonite, 1924-1994, 2nd Edition, p. 445

PRIEST FR. IOANNIS KALAÏDIS, Neochori Sintikis, Serres Prefecture

In November 1993, together with my presbytera, we visited the Holy Monastery of St. John the Theologian in Souroti to venerate and receive the blessing of Elder Paisios. During the conversation, I asked him if the time had come for us to take Hagia Sophia again. He replied: "Father Ioannis, we are on the threshold of taking the City."

Testimonies of Pilgrims: Elder Paisios the Athonite, 1924-1994, 2nd Edition, p. 448

WHAT FATHER PAISIOS TOLD ME, ATHANASIOS RAKOVALIS

And we will take Constantinople. They will give it to us, that is. Not out of kindness or justice. No. But God will arrange for the interests of the great powers to align in such a way that it suits them for us to have the City.

And we will take Cappadocia.

I looked at him in surprise.

Cappadocia too, Elder? I asked.

Eh!... Things there will be so loose that anyone who wants can go, so it will be as if we have it.

Hitler and Mussolini are raising their heads again. The Americans say, what is happening here? The English and the Americans will help us.

Well, Elder, the Turks are ten million in the City... and they will give it to us; how will we be able to control them?

They will move them across, to the other side. My thought tells me (he emphasized "my thought") that they will do this for the waters... to make them international... Then cholera will also fall in Turkey, and great harm will occur. Very many will die. Saint Arsenios had said this too. He had written a notebook with prophecies... have I shown it to you?

Yes, Elder.

...then there is also the one-third who will become Christians.

What Father Paisios Told Me, p. 77

The Elder brought us a notebook with some prophecies of Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian written in it. In it, the Saint prophesied the events of 1923 and said that the Greeks would return there to their homeland again.

The Elder said that besides the Kurds and Armenians forming states, cholera would fall in Turkey and the Turks would be decimated by the disease.

What Father Paisios Told Me, p. 79

The EEC is the state of Israel... It has few days left...

—Elder, today there are so many people, billions who do not know Christ, and so few who know Him; what will happen?

Things will happen that will shock the nations. It will not be the Second Coming, but divine intervention. People will search to find someone to speak to them about Christ. They will pull you by the hand: "Come here, sit and tell me about Christ."

What Father Paisios Told Me, p. 84

—And, Elder, they sit and occupy themselves with the Antichrist and the mark and do not occupy themselves with Christ.

Not to fear and be anxious about this, but to be informed. Lest we find ourselves marked without realizing it, and then nothing can be done.

What Father Paisios Told Me, p. 141

—Elder, in Patra two months ago there was an earthquake! A strong earthquake; the churches cracked!

So they shook you hard! But did it wake you up?

It woke us up, Elder!

But you will sleep again.

Yes, yes, Elder.

And here one sees the compassion of God. He turns the knob up to five; He does not turn it higher. He could turn it up to twelve and nothing would remain standing. He turns the knob only as much as will benefit.

God could make all people repent in three minutes if He turned the knob and caused an earthquake across the whole earth. Everyone would immediately cry "I have sinned, I have sinned" and make prayers and vows. But after a week... they would run to the nightclubs again.

What Father Paisios Told Me, p. 142

...the Turks are a barbaric people... Pah, pah. When they slaughtered the Armenians, for three days the whole city smelled like a slaughterhouse... The Greeks were locked in their homes; no one dared go out on the street; they were shouting, killing... for three whole days.

Who, Elder? The Turkish army?

(With emphasis) Not only the army, but the people too—the Turks, even the old men. You see, one would go and slaughter his neighbor, with whom they had lived side by side for so many years... Barbaric people... they have done many things... that is why they will pay; the spiritual laws will function; they have their kollyva in their belt.

What Father Paisios Told Me, p. 164

LIFE OF ELDER PAISIOS THE ATHONITE, by Hieromonk Isaac

"We Will Take the City"

A group of students from the Athoniada School agreed to ask the Elder if we would take the City and if they themselves would be alive then.

They went to his hut, received treats, but were embarrassed to ask. One would signal to the other, and finally no one dared to ask the question. Then the Elder said to them: "What is it, lads? What do you want to ask? About the City? We will take it, and you will be alive too."

One child conveyed the Elder's words to the teacher Constantine Mallidis, who was a good Christian and fervent patriot. He came with interest to confirm it better from the Elder himself and asked about the City. The Elder replied: "Leave those things, Kostas; they are not for us. We must prepare for another City."

These were omens for their impending death, because indeed Kostas soon departed first, and then the Elder, for our true and heavenly Homeland, "the new city," the heavenly Jerusalem.

Life of Elder Paisios the Athonite, p. 316

For the Nation and the Homeland

Defending the Greekness of Macedonia, he posted in his archontariki the text from the prophet Daniel referring to the Greek king Alexander and next to it a large paper icon of an Angel from a Serbian monastery pointing to the text.

He likened the state of Skopje to a building constructed with bricks and Farsala halva cut into brick shapes, which was about to collapse.

The book by the former Minister of Northern Greece, Mr. Nikolaos Martis, "The Falsification of Macedonia," when he read it, enthused him. "Glory to God," he said, "there are patriots too." He took many copies and distributed them as blessings. He also wrote a laudatory little poem, which Mr. Martis included in a new edition of his book.

Regarding Turkey, he proclaimed with certainty: "It will disintegrate, and the great powers will give us the City. Not because they love us, but because God will arrange things so that their interest will be for us to have it. The spiritual laws will function. The Turks have many to pay for what they have done. This nation will be destroyed because it did not arise with God's blessing. They have their kollyva in their belt (meaning their end is near). Saint Arsenios said before the Exchange: 'We will lose our homeland, but we will find it again.'"

When asked when Cyprus would be liberated, he replied: "Cyprus will be liberated when the Cypriots repent. Make spiritual bases to drive out the bases of the Turks, the English, and the Americans." He saw the Cyprus issue as spiritual, not national or political, and its solution would come from the people's repentance and prayer.

Seeing the danger from the East for Thrace, he went to Komotini to support Christianized Muslims. He wanted to stay with them for a period to help.

On homeland issues, he did not want Christians to be indifferent. Many saddened him seeing spiritual people seeking to settle themselves and not caring for the homeland. His heartache and wonder was how those responsible do not realize where we are heading. He himself had foreseen the current situation long ago and was worried, but he did not spread his worries to the people. He said: "From the evil prevailing today, great good will come."

He grieved for the spiritual decline of citizens. He spoke strictly about those who voted for anti-Christian laws. He was saddened by the language change and said: "The next generation will bring Germans to teach us our language, and our children will spit on us." He wrote in a letter: "Those who abolished the Ancient Greek will bring them back again."

Life of Elder Paisios the Athonite, p. 699

"The Great Secret of Elder Paisios," M. Michael

Regarding Northern Epirus The Northern Epirotes should not fear, because one day they will be liberated by some brave lads. The liberators will not understand politics and will enter to help. The politicians on one hand will rejoice, but on the other they are bound and cannot act. The other countries will accept it and say that since it happened, now it cannot change. That is why the Northern Epirotes should not fear, because spiritual laws also function. The pain for Northern Epirus is great, because we were one family and they separated us. It is like telling some of your children to separate from the others.

PROPHECIES & TEACHINGS OF MONK PAISIOS, D. D. Liakopoulos - D. Messiniatis

The King from Poverty They asked the Elder: "Ultimately, will Constantine or John take the City?" And they asked this because one prophecy says the king from poverty will be named John, while another says Constantine handed over the City, Constantine will take it. The Elder then, smiling, said: "You are impatient. You will see it with your own eyes. States have prime ministers and generals too, not only kings."

Prophecies & Teachings of Monk Paisios, p. 434

Regarding Skopje "What will happen, Elder, with Macedonia?" "Saint Cosmas said it," the Elder replied. "It is clear as daylight. They have neither strength nor right. Many villages will be destroyed, but in the three countries, one will remain."

Will the Russians have allies? They asked the Elder if the Russians would have allies or fight the West alone, and the Elder said: "Of course they will have. Now they are not visible, but soon everyone will see them, and they will be as many as the grains of sand."

Prophecies & Teachings of Monk Paisios, p. 438

Woe to the Northern States One morning many years ago, as the Elder was sitting in the courtyard of his cell with five or six visitors—pilgrims—he suddenly said: "Woe to the northern states." One of those present asked curiously: "Will poverty fall there, Elder?" since they were talking about the economic situation in the world. "Fire will fall from the sky," the Elder replied. Since it was still the Cold War era between NATO and the USSR, another asked: "Will there be a world war? Will NATO strike the Poles, Czechoslovaks, and Belarusians, and the Russians the Germans?" The Elder shook his head and said: "Everyone will abandon the Russians and go with the Jews of America. The Russians will burn them."

Prophecies & Teachings of Monk Paisios, p. 443

VESSEL OF ELECTION, Hieromonk Christodoulos Angeloglou

The Turks Have Their Kollyva in Their Belt

Once, a pious Christian decided not to be ashamed before the Elder and to "exploit" him with the most difficult questions. So he asked about eschatological matters. It was the time when much was heard about the Antichrist; many books circulated, and the confusion was intense. Fortunately, at that time the Elder wrote the leaflet "Signs of the Times" and clarified things somewhat, because otherwise many would still be confused today. (This leaflet is also published in the book "The Elder Paisios.")

First, he advised the brother not to occupy himself much with eschatological issues, because if, say, a car hits him and he dies, then for him the Second Coming has already occurred. Then, because the brother in discussions—with good intention, of course—used to speak about expected sorrowful events he read in various books and thus somewhat frightened his interlocutors, the Elder, although the brother had not mentioned anything related before, said to him:

Be careful not to frighten the children!

Regarding the two Paschas, he said it was 1912 when Macedonia was liberated. He also said that for certain prophecies, the way they are transmitted presents serious difficulties—they are preserved orally or on half-destroyed papers—so often gaps are found or they are confused.

Soon other visitors came, and the discussion veered to other topics, to the great chagrin of the brother. However, the Elder managed to say some things about the Turks.

Many Greeks fear the Turks because their population is in the millions. But this has no significance. The essence is who has right on their side, because they find God as a helper. With our enemies, however, it happens as with wolves:

A wolf, when approaching a flock of sheep, comes slowly so as not to be noticed. And although it is wild and strong, because it feels guilty, at the first bark—even of a puppy—it gets scared and flees far away. The awareness of its guilt makes it fear even the bark of the small, weak puppy. The same happens to the Turks. They too feel guilty. Because the places are not theirs, they get scared. And in a war, fear, low morale, and guilt are the greatest enemy. He even said that the Turks do not have many days left. He added verbatim:

The Turks have their kollyva (for their memorial) in their belt!

Vessel of Election, p. 87

Thus, "Politely," They Will Tear Turkey Apart

A brother asked the Elder about the events in Serbia, and he, among other things, said:

The Europeans now do a favor to the Turks and make independent the statelets where Muslims live (Bosnia, Herzegovina). But I see that they will divide Turkey itself politely: the Kurds and Armenians will rise up, and the Europeans will demand that these nations become independent. They will then say to Turkey: "We did you a favor there; now similarly the Kurds and Armenians must become independent." Thus, "politely," they will tear Turkey apart.

Saint Arsenios in Farasa told the faithful that they would lose their homeland but soon take it back again.

Vessel of Election, p. 143

Reading the Prophets Today Is Like Reading the Newspaper

Today, reading the prophets is like reading a newspaper—so clearly are they written. My thought tells me that many things will happen: the Russians will occupy Turkey, and Turkey will disappear from the map because one-third of the Turks will become Christians, one-third will perish, and one-third will go to Mesopotamia.

The Middle East will become an arena of wars in which the Russians will participate. Much blood will be spilled, and even the Chinese will cross the Euphrates River with a 200-million army and march toward Jerusalem. A characteristic sign that these events are approaching will be the demolition of the Omar mosque, since its demolition will mean the start of work to rebuild Solomon's Temple, which was built exactly in that place.

In Constantinople, there will be a great war between Russians and Europeans, and much blood will be spilled. Greece will not play a leading role in this war, but Constantinople will be given to her—not because the Russians revere us, but because they will not find a better solution, and they will agree with Greece under the pressure of difficult circumstances. The Greek army will not even have time to go there; the City will have been given to it. The Jews, because they will have power and help from the European leader, will become insolent and display shamelessness and pride and try to govern Europe. Then two-thirds of the Jews will become Christians...

Vessel of Election, p. 206

A group of pilgrims had agreed to ask the Elder to speak to them about Constantinople. Soon the Elder returned, and to everyone's surprise—showing that his spiritual "radar" had perceived their thought—before they could ask anything, he said:

Elder: What do you say; will we take the City?

The group remains speechless.

Elder: Come on, tell me; will we take the City?

The group continues in surprise, silent.

Elder (jokingly): Lads of lentils...

Theodoros: We will take it, Elder.

Elder: Glory to Thee, O God (He makes the sign of the cross, turning toward the east and looking toward the City).

Demetrios: If it is from God, Elder, blessed; we will take it.

Elder: Yes, it is from God! We will take it! Not that we will take it ourselves, but they will give it to us as a solution, because they will think this serves their interests.

Demetrios: Elder, how long will this evil last?

Elder: Storms, storms it will be! But we will give exams.

Demetrios: Elder, will there be suitable leaders?

Elder: God will arrange it. In this war, everyone will return defeated. The Greek army will be victorious. Palestine will be the arena; the Dead Sea their grave. This will be the first half-time. But there is also a second half-time: After these events, man will reach an impasse, and then everyone will seek to learn about the Gospel and the Scriptures. Christ will have mercy on the world and show a sign for people to believe. Then one will search to find an unbeliever.

Demetrios: Elder, the kontakion of Prophet Elijah says he is the second forerunner of Christ's Coming. He, as is known, did not sleep, like Enoch. Will Prophet Elijah come to earth?

Elder (smiling): Prophet Elijah is sharpening and preparing his knife! And he will start first from the Patriarchs, bishops, priests, and monks!

Nikolaos: And laypeople.

Elder: Yours are ignorances, while ours are sins. Does not the prayer of the Divine Liturgy say: "For my sins and the ignorances of the people"? Prophet Elijah is sharpening his knife, but much attention is needed, because the Fathers say some things differently, and the world interprets them differently—like, for example, the six miles mentioned by Saint Cosmas the Aetolian. (The Turks will leave but will return again and reach the six miles. In the end, they will drive them to the Red Apple Tree. Of the Turks, one-third will be killed, another third will be baptized, and only the remaining third will go to the Red Apple Tree.) No one could explain it; everyone interprets it wrongly. There are six miles in Lagadas, in Kilkis, in Thrace, in Corinth, but no one knows that what he says are the six miles of territorial waters. Do you not read the prophets—Joel, Zechariah, Ezekiel, Daniel? They say everything. For seven years in Palestine, they will not burn wood but weapons; but where do you know about weapons and wood! You now have radiators in your homes (smiling), while I here still burn wood in the fireplace, so I know about these.

(It refers to the prophecy of Prophet Ezekiel 39:9-10.)

Christos: The Jews...

Elder: A pious Jordanian told me that the Jews have dug a tunnel many meters deep under the Omar mosque and want to destroy the mosque to build Solomon's Temple, because then, they say, their Messiah will come—that is, the Antichrist. Then the Arabs will say to the Christians: "Do you Christians not say that the Messiah has come? What do these Jews say now?"

The Elder, after offering treats to the last visitors who arrived at that moment, asks again one of them:

Elder: Will we take the City? What do you say?

Christos: I will go for Northern Epirus.

Elder: Take the City first; Northern Epirus even seven people can take it!

Christos: Seven and I make eight!

Elder: Take it! And I will carry the relics of Saint Cosmas the Aetolian, which are heavy too! What can we say, children; all are said and written in our (Church) books, but who reads them? The world takes no notice. It sleeps with its boots on!

Demetrios: These, Elder, are signs of the times?

Elder: Signs, signs of the times; do you not see... One must be an ox—forgive me—to not understand with all that is happening... Many holy fathers would wish to live in our era, because it is an era of confession. The times are difficult, but we do not realize it. We sleep with our boots on. Soon they will ask about Christians as they once asked about political beliefs.

Nikolaos: Will they make a file on us, Elder?

Elder: Ah, bravo! Files.

Demetrios: Elder, will Greece suffer harm?

Elder: Greece has passed many storms, has been greatly wronged. But storms it will be! Greece will suffer nothing, because God loves it. In Asia Minor we have many holy relics. We will take Hagia Sophia, and the gate will open too. No one knows that gate... let's see what will happen though? What will become of the minarets afterward?

Nikolaos: We will demolish them!

Theodoros: We will make them, Elder, bell towers!

Elder (jokingly): No, they will become pillars for the stylites, and the prayer ropes will hang down to the bottom!

Demetrios: Elder, will this war leader be a Jew?

Elder: Yes, a Jew he will be. The pope will also cooperate much, because he will consider all the children of the devil as his own and will instruct them to follow the Antichrist. That is why Saint Cosmas the Aetolian said: "Curse the pope, for he will be the cause." The Saint meant this pope of the specific era who will help elevate the Antichrist. The other popes compared to him will seem good.

Vessel of Election, p. 219

"You Will Live to See That Time Too!"

A group of young students from the Athoniada School were descending to the Elder. One topic preoccupied them: they had heard that the Elder had told some that we would take Constantinople. But they wanted to hear it from his own mouth and especially to ask if they would be alive when we take it. So on the way, they said among themselves that someone should ask the Elder this as they talked. They went, sat with him, but no one dared to ask this question. They stood, took his blessing, and as they turned to go out on the path, the Elder, seeing them off, smiling, said:

And know this: We will take Constantinople, and you will live to see that time too!

The students were stunned by his words and marveled at the Grace he had, which informed him of everything, but also that he informed them that in their generation all these awesome things would happen.

Vessel of Election, p. 267

"You Will See It, You Will See It"

Mr. D... K..., from K..., had visited the Elder...

And the Elder continued:

Know that Turkey will also disintegrate. There will be a war in two half-times. We will be victors because we are Orthodox.

Elder, will we not suffer harm from the war?

Well, at most they might touch one or two islands, but they will give us Constantinople too. You will see it, you will see it!

Present in the discussion was also the son of Mr. D...

Vessel of Election, p. 289

To Mr. D... K..., the Elder said:

Turkey will be dismembered. Because we are Orthodox, we will suffer no harm; at most they might touch one or two of our islands. But in fact, they will be forced to give us Constantinople.

Vessel of Election, p. 309

THE ELDER PAISIOS, Hieromonk Christodoulos Angeloglou

They will not form a village in the EEC, because they are nations with different traditions.

The Elder Paisios, p. 183

In the procession of the Awesome Protection in 1992, the umbrella of the Panagia was held by the adjutant of the Commando Squadron, V.T., from Ioannina. As we proceeded, I was to his right and the Elder to his left, who at one moment said to the officer: "Come on, I wish you well to be the standard-bearer in the City (Constantinople) too, when we enter." And turning to me, he said: "Did you hear what I said?" "Yes, Elder, I heard it. Amen," I replied. Then he smiled and uttered his characteristic exclamation: "A!" (meaning "okay").

A day later, I descended from his cell and asked him about the City, and he said: "We will take Constantinople back, but not us. We, as the majority of our youth has become, are not capable of such a thing. But God will arrange for others to take the City and give it to us as a solution to their problem."

The Elder Paisios, p. 209

God tolerates us as a nation not because of our goodness, but because we have the correct faith (Orthodoxy). Thus, even if everyone hates us, God does not leave us to suffer something bad.

The Elder Paisios, p. 253

TESTIMONIES OF PILGRIMS

ELDER PAISIOS THE ATHONITE

1924-1994

2nd EDITION Edited by: Nikolaos Zournatzoglou