Preface

Among the Saints glorified by our Church, there are many laymen. And these are not only martyrs and new martyrs, but also those who have gained holiness through their righteous, ascetic life in the world[1].

Thus, holiness is not the exclusive prerogative of monks and priests. It can be achieved by every Christian who has the right faith, repentance and ascetic spirit.

Studying the history of our Church, we see that after the end of the persecution of the faith,[2] the most zealous Christians were not satisfied with the simple observance of the Divine commandments in the world, but went into the wilderness for unceasing prayer, evangelical perfection and purity. This is how monasticism appeared.

The life of monks became a model and example for ascetic laymen, and the world gradually developed its own ascetic tradition. It has been passed down from generation to generation. She passed from parents to children who raised children by their own example.

The Orthodox family, this "small church," was the protector, bearer, and school of the evangelical and ascetic way of life. Behind almost every Saint stood a mother, who raised him by the example of her holy and ascetic life[3].

Tradition is an integral part of the historical memory of the people. And one of its most authentic expressions is Orthodox asceticism. It became the fertile soil on which fragrant and beautiful flowers grew – ascetics in the world. Asceticizing among the temptations of the world, they nevertheless attained high levels of spiritual perfection, and some even acquired holiness. This aroma of people's asceticism and piety has been preserved to this day. After all, even today there are people among us who, despite all the difficulties, manage to live a high spiritual life, comparable to the monastic life.

Moved by love and reverence for these blessed souls, as well as nostalgia for the ascetic spirit so prevalent in bygone times, we present to you this edition. The first part contains biographies of asceticized laymen, a nun (who had been married before taking monastic vows) and family priests (after all, they, too, living in the world, encountered the same temptations as we do). The volume of individual chapters differs from each other solely due to the lack of materials and often does not fully reflect the virtues and podvig of those who are described. The chapters are presented in chronological order (based on the day of the blessed death of the ascetics).

The second part of the book describes miraculous and instructive incidents from the life of lay ascetics, their virtues and the higher spiritual states they experience. It is also about Divine Providence, about how He leads people to repentance and miraculously helps to avoid certain dangers.

We had the good fortune to know many of the ascetics described in this book personally and received immeasurable benefit from communicating with them. Others were told by trustworthy people who compiled their biographies on the basis of personal memories and historical testimonies.

The ascetics to whom this modest work is dedicated lived in different regions of Greece and abroad, in different historical epochs (from the period of Turkish rule to the present day), were of different ages and classes (priests and laity, fathers of families and monks in the world). Each had his own character and the peculiarities of his personal podvig, but they were all united by strong faith and great love for Christ. This prompted them to observe the Divine commandments and to great ascetic feats (strict fasts, nightly vigils, prostrations and prayers). They were reverent and loved the Divine services, they were merciful, despite their poverty. They were steadfast and patient in trials, forgiving offenses and glorifying in sorrows. They were humble and simple, sincerely considered themselves the last, believed that they were nothing, never exalted. Sometimes they had little worldly knowledge, but a lot of Divine Enlightenment and experience of higher spiritual states.

They always strove to gain patience, love, and humility. It can be said that to one degree or another they struggled in the acquisition of all virtues. To one degree or another, they attained the wisdom of the Old Testament righteous, the steadfastness of the martyrs, the boundless endurance of sorrows and trials, the silent confession of faith by the example of their own lives, and the asceticism of the venerable desert fathers. Their very life is a preaching of love and true repentance.

Some of them were vouchsafed the gifts of clairvoyance and prophecy, beheld the Uncreated Light, and in their purity and simplicity were vouchsafed visions of the Saints, the Most Holy Theotokos and Christ Himself. Others, through their humble and tireless prayer, performed miracles. Simple and grace-filled priests healed and expelled unclean spirits. After their blessed repose, their relics remained incorrupt, streaming myrrh and fragrant.

Their grace-filled gifts have nothing to do with the actions that psychics and sorcerers perform. The manifestation of Divine Grace is one thing, and the manifestation of demonic power is another. According to the words of the Gospel, "By their fruits ye shall know them," the ascetics described in this book were humble and unmercenary. They were citizens of Heaven on earth and always sought to help their brothers. They brought joy, peace, blessing, comfort, not confusion, anxiety, and fear. They were great in their simplicity. "Did not God choose the poor of the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him" (James 2:5). Foolish by the concepts of this world, persecuted by it, they are the invisible pillars that support the universe, the light and salt of the earth. Their simple souls became houses of grace and treasuries of the spirit. The lives and aspirations of these people contain all Orthodox theology, all the values and ideals of our people, the Orthodox tradition and the greatness of our faith. Despite all their innumerable gifts and abilities, they confessed, were nourished and showed obedience to their spiritual fathers. They have never violated the order established by our Holy Church.