Tested by the fire of temptations and tempered in the furnace of illness, which visited him in various forms from 1947 until his death in 1994, the Elder had compassion for each suffering person and prayed with pain for those who experienced pain. He cared about his own health only enough to take care of himself and help those who came to him. He believed that if someone prays for other sick people, without paying attention to his own pain, then this brings God to tenderness and He hears such a prayer. However, the Elder advised sick people to first do everything humanly possible for their healing, and leave what is beyond human strength to God. At the same time, he strengthened people's faith so that they would treat their illness with hope in God, so that they would not forget that throughout our earthly life we are all "strangers and strangers" (cf. 1 Pet. 2:11), and prepare for eternal life.

This volume is published with the blessing of our Archpastor, His Eminence Metropolitan Nikodim of Cassandria. The book consists of an introductory chapter and six parts. Many of the questions were asked to the Elder by the Abbess and some of the sisters of our convent. The Elder blessed us to send people who ask for our spiritual help to the spiritual father, however, often in a conversation with the Abbess or with one of the older sisters, people, embarrassed by the difficulty, talk about their pain and ask for advice. Sometimes, in order to be sure that we had answered this or that serious or confusing question correctly, we turned to the Elder, and he told us how to solve this or that problem in God's way. However, the Elder himself, during general monastic meetings and in personal conversations with the sisters, using as an occasion some incident from the life of our monastery community or a question we asked, often spoke about the difficulties that Christians encounter in the world. He did this so that we could pray for peace with pain. In addition, the Elder gave examples from the lives of fathers or mothers who, not having the favorable spiritual opportunities that monks have, lived a holy life. In this way, Father Paisius urged us to asceticize with great curiosity. Some of the Elder's answers are enriched with excerpts from his letters, given to us by those clergy and pious laity to whom they were addressed.

The volume opens with an introductory chapter entitled "Young People at the Crossroads of Life", the purpose of which is to help young men and women who are hesitating in choosing a path in life. In this chapter, it is emphasized that both paths outlined by our Church - family and monastic life - are blessed. Young people should choose one path according to their calling, strength, and love. They should do this not regardless of anyone's "nudges," but with trust in God. The chaste and spiritual life of young people is the main prerequisite for their success on the chosen path - whether it is monastic or family life.

The first of the six parts of this book defines the foundations on which the family stands: noble, generous love and respect of spouses for each other. Patience in difficulties, accompanied by prayer, saves the family from disintegration.

The second part deals with the duties and responsibilities of parents for the proper upbringing of children and especially emphasizes the importance of parental example, this "silent edification" by parents of children, as well as the role of the mother in the family. The Elder also emphasizes that parental tenderness and love for children are the main prerequisites for their natural and normal development.

Третья часть тома посвящена детям. В ней идёт речь об их радостях и трудностях - от младенчества до зрелости, а также об их обязанностях перед родителями. Уважение и любовь детей к родителям - не только в детском, но и в зрелом возрасте - есть залог того, что они получат благословение Божие.

В четвёртой части Старец даёт читателям простые и практические советы о духовной жизни в семье. Эти советы помогают детям и родителям ежедневно опытно переживать Евангелие - независимо от того, находятся они дома или на работе. Старец говорит и о том, что работа, которой занимается человек, не должна мучить его постоянной душевной тревогой, но содействовать его духовному совершенству.