I
once visited Father Paisios with a student of theology who was at a
critical stage. He asked him about his studies. The student naively told
him about a work of his dealing with the creation of man. At one point
he told Father Paisios: "At one point God didn’t know what to do, so He
formed Adam and Eve, to pass His time." I saw Father Paisios with
lightning speed raise his hand and gave him a heavy smack. The student
lost it, became dizzy, he stood briefly with bulging eyes trying to
realize what happened, and then he began to cry, sobbing like a small
child.
Father
Paisios was looking at him, not saying anything, and let him cry. After
much weeping, he said: "Blessed one, what is this that you said? Come
with me." He took him by the hand, like a mother with a young child, and
brought him to the sink and said: "Wash your face." Then he gave him a
towel to wipe his face of the tears and brought him back to his seat. He
then began with humor, tenderness and much love to indicate his error,
and to say that we should not speak about God and His work with
indecency. Moreover, he even wrote a graceful dedication in one of his
books and gave it to him. Needless to say, I followed this entire scene
speechless and ecstatic.
When
I would visit him, after asking his advice on issues dealing with my
personal life, I would ask him about issues I was facing with my
spiritual children. I told him about a child who was very lively and
reactive and asked for an opinion on how to treat him. He replied
disarmingly: "Do what a mule driver does with the animal. Hold him
securely by the reins and sit far away so you don’t get kicked."
When I recall my memories of that holy figure, I am moved, I shed tears and I pray. May we have his holy prayers.
By Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos
By Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos
