St. Paisios the Athonite
1Once, a devout Christian made the decision not to feel shy before the Elder and to “take advantage” of him by asking the most difficult questions. So he asked him about eschatological matters. It was the period when many things were being said about the Antichrist, many books were circulating, and the confusion that prevailed was intense. Fortunately, at that time the Elder wrote the booklet “The Signs of the Times” and clarified things somewhat, because otherwise many people would still be confused even today. (This booklet is also published in the book “Elder Paisios”.)
First of all, he advised the brother not to occupy himself too much with eschatological issues, because if, let’s say, a car hits him and he dies, then for him the Second Coming has already happened. Then, since the brother, in discussions he had, always with good intentions, of course, used to speak about expected sorrowful events he read in various books, and in this way somewhat frightened his interlocutors, the Elder, even though the brother had not previously mentioned anything of the sort, told him: “Be careful and do not frighten the children!”
2“The EEC is the state of Israel… its days are few…”
- “Elder, today there are so many people, billions, who do not know Christ, and so few who do, what will happen?”
“Things will happen that will shake the nations. It will not be the Second Coming, but a 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.’”
3Dimitrios: “Elder, will there be suitable leaders?”
Elder: “God will arrange it. In this war, all will return defeated. The Greek army will be victorious. The battlefield will be Palestine, their grave the Dead Sea. That will be the first half. But there is also a second half: After these events, mankind will reach a dead end, and then everyone will seek to learn about the Gospel and the Scriptures. Christ will pity the world and will show a sign so that they may believe. Then one will search to find an unbeliever.”
Dimitrios: “Elder, the dismissal hymn (apolytikion) of Prophet Elijah says he is the second Forerunner of Christ’s Coming. He, as is known, did not fall asleep, nor did Enoch. Will Prophet Elijah come to earth?”
Elder (smiling): “Prophet Elijah is sharpening and preparing his sword! And indeed, he will begin first with the Patriarchs, bishops, priests, and monks!”
4They asked the Elder: “Finally, will it be Constantine or Ioannis who will take the City?” They asked this because one prophecy says that the king from poverty will be named Ioannis, while another says that since Constantine handed over the City, Constantine will take it back.
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.”
A Chosen Vessel, page 87.
Father Paisios Told Me, page 84.
A Chosen Vessel, page 219.
Paisios the Monk, Prophecies & Teachings, page 434.