Many, having read it, reconsidered their views and agreed with the Elder. Anticipating that his opinion on this issue would be in demand in the future, the Elder wrote this letter with his own hand and put his signature under it, so as not to give anyone the opportunity to make any changes to it. Elder Paisius did not change his views on this question until his death.

Everything said and written by the Elder on this topic was the fruit of his prayer, spiritual sensitivity and inner information. He wanted us to live a spiritual life, to be well informed about what was going on, and to be willing to make sacrifices. On the one hand, we should not be indifferent, on the other hand, we should succumb to panic and anxiety. We must be distinguished by the spirit of confession, which we will need in accordance with the position that each of us occupies.

Young men and women who asked the Elder whether it was necessary to create a family in connection with the fact that apocalyptic events could occur, the Elder encouraged them to create families and work, since, as he said, Christians did the same during the years of persecution.

"The years that we are going through," the Elder said, "are difficult years. A thunderstorm will break out. And while it continues, we will have to suffer, and perhaps even go to martyrdom. It will be possible to survive this time only by living spiritually. There is no need to despair. These difficult years are a blessing because they will force us to live closer to Christ. These years are a favorable opportunity for a greater feat. The present battle will not be a war with arms. This will be a spiritual battle, a war with the Antichrist.

He will try to "deceive, if possible, even the elect".128 Everything that happens will be controlled by the Beast from Brussels. After the introduction of credit cards and new identity cards, they will slyly apply a seal, they will force people to accept a stamp on the hand or on the forehead. Only those who will have a seal will be able to buy, sell, use various services. Believers who have refused to print will have a hard time. Therefore, even now we need to accustom ourselves to live simply and, if possible, to have a plot of land, a few olive trees or cattle for the needs of our family. Hard times will last three to three and a half years. God will not leave people without help."

Some said: "Well, what's wrong with the fact that I will accept the seal. I will cover my forehead with the sign of the Cross", or "I will receive a new identity card and draw a cross on it", or "in my soul I will not renounce Christ". The Elder, showing the flawedness of the logic and behavior of such people, said the following: "If today's Christians with their logic lived in times of torment, then we would not have a single martyr in our Church. The first Christians did not take [human] logic into account at all, but unswervingly confessed Christ and burned with the desire for martyrdom. They tried to seduce them with high ranks and titles, they were told: "Just say that you are not a Christian, but believe in God in your heart; throw some incense on the brazier, pretend that you are sacrificing to the gods, and then do not offer any sacrifice; pretend to eat meat sacrificed to idols, and eat pure, undefiled meat; do not preach Christ in this place, go to another," and in spite of all this, Christians did not deny Christ in any way. They joyfully hastened to testify to their love for Christ by martyrdom. They were burned by Divine care.

The Church must take and express the right position. It should protest what is happening and demand that the state at least not make new identity cards mandatory. The Church must explain what is happening to believers, it must make them understand that the adoption of a new identity card will be a fall."

Summing up what the Elder said on this topic, we can draw the following conclusion: he was convinced that "behind the back of the EEC lies the dictatorial regime of the Zionists. Such a cruel dictatorship could only be invented by the devil. The seal of the Antichrist is renunciation. Even a new identity card is already a renunciation. If they have the symbol of the devil on their identity card – the number 666129, and I put my signature on this card, then it means that I accept it. This renunciation – everything is very clear. By accepting the devil's symbol, you reject holy Baptism, you receive another seal, you reject the seal of Christ, and you receive the seal of the devil. The number 666 on banknotes is a different matter – "render unto Caesar's, Caesar's... »130. Another thing is the identity card, which is something personal.

Even if a person accepts the seal of the Antichrist out of unjustified ignorance or indifference, he also loses Divine Grace and accepts demonic influence."

Such, in a few words, was the position of the Elder. He spoke on this topic clearly, unequivocally and firmly – until his death. Now he guides and teaches people with his writings.

Fragrance from the holy relics

The Elder said: "Once, together with Hieromonk Paisius, we were walking along the path, and suddenly we both felt a strong fragrance. I realized that somewhere nearby were buried the relics of the holy ascetic. The next day I went to this place alone and noticed the exact place from which the fragrance came. I was going to dig up the grave and find these holy relics, but then, for good reason, I left them buried."