According to these testimonies, a sequence of events would unfold involving a great calamity in America, the rise of Russia to dominant position, and the eventual return of Constantinople to Greece. Father John stated that St. Paisios had once told him that the time was approaching when Constantinople would once again be entrusted to Greece.
1In the testimony of Mr. Miltiadis Tsesmetzis, an educator, the following is mentioned. In 2004, during two visits that we made to Father John, he spoke to us about Constantinople. He told us that when he visited Saint Paisios at the Monastery of Souroti, the latter said to him.
“Father John, the time is approaching when we will receive Constantinople.”
- St. Paisios the Athonite
The Elder also told us.
“The Russians will take the City and will give it to us because they will believe that doing so serves their interests. A great calamity in America will precede this. Then the Europeans will agree that the City should be given to us by the Russians. Before this great calamity occurs in America, the Europeans will not consent...”
- Father John Kalaidis
2In the testimony of Mr. Apostolos Simoglou of Alexandroupoli, it is stated. During one of our visits to the Elder, and without our asking him anything, he suddenly said.
“The time has come for us to receive Constantinople back. It will become Greek once again!”
When I asked him when this would happen, he replied.
“Soon. Very soon, within our days.”
I asked him again. Exactly when? Give us a date. His answer was.
“Ah, no. Everything else, but not dates. This is God’s plan, but dates, no.”
He also told us that first something would occur that would bring America to its knees. It would cease to be a superpower. Russia would become the superpower, and then the events would unfold. He further said.
“All of you who are here (there were nine of us of various ages) will go to the City, and it will be Greek. But I will not live to see it. I will have departed for Heaven!”
- Father John Kalaidis
All these excerpts were translated by The Holy Wisdom. Below you will find all the relevant sources.
From the book: Father John Kalaidis (Papa-Yiannis) (1925-2009), page 86.
From the book: Father John Kalaidis (Papa-Yiannis) (1925-2009), pages 141-142.