Saint Paisios of Mount Athos is the most frequently searched saint on our store, and for good reason: his life and teachings are a model for those living in today’s times. Having reposed only 30 years ago, Saint Paisios understood the pitfalls of modern life and provided practical advice for Orthodox Christians seeking salvation.

Here are ten books written about Saint Paisios…

Spiritual Counsels of Elder Paisios (Volumes 1-5)

Saint Paisios was the elder to a group of nuns in Sourouti, Greece (near Thessaloniki), and taught them on a wide range of spiritual matters. The nuns recorded their conversations with Saint Paisios and later transcribed and translated them into five volumes that offer deep insight into Orthodox spiritual life. Each volume focuses on a specific theme…

Volume 1: With Pain and Love for Contemporary Man – The first volume discusses topics such as human suffering, the challenges of modernity, the effects of sin, and the transformative power of love and prayer.

“Wealth and possessions bring anxiety, as people worry about keeping what they have or gaining more. But a person who lives simply and trusts in God finds peace because their heart is not tied to fleeting things. True wealth is found in contentment and gratitude for God’s blessings.”

Volume 2: Spiritual Awakening – This volume focuses on the inner struggle Orthodox Christians face on their way to deeper spiritual life, which includes maintaining watchfulness of one’s heart.

Volume 3: Spiritual Struggle – Saint Paisios discusses how to combat temptations with humility and repentance so that the soul is purified while drawing nearer to God.

Volume 4: Family Life – Volume 4 discusses marriage, parenting, and interpersonal relationship within an Orthodox context. Saint Paisios sees individual families as little “churches” that can foster holiness.

Volume 5: Passions & Virtues – The final volume teaches how to transform personal vices and inner weaknesses into virtues like patience, kindness, and self-control through discipline and God’s grace.

“God allows temptations to come to us so we can grow spiritually, like a child who learns to walk by stumbling. He doesn’t abandon us in the midst of difficulties; instead, He watches closely, ready to hold us if we call upon Him. Trust in His love, for He knows what is best for our souls, even when we don’t understand it.”

With over 1,800 pages of spiritual wisdom spread across five volumes, Spiritual Counsels have been influential in forming Orthodox Christians around the world. The books are highly regarded for their advice on faith, humility, and love.

Saint Paisios of Mount Athos by Hieromonk Isaac

Hieromonk Isaac, a spiritual child of Saint Paisios, has written the most comprehensive biography of the Saint, focusing on his life, teachings, and sanctity through lifelong spiritual and ascetic struggle, from his childhood in Cappadocia to his monastic life on Mount Athos.

Through innumerable stories, Hieromonk Isaac shows the depths of Saint Paisios’ ascetic practices and unwavering dedication to prayer, humility, and love for others, in spite of being riddled with numerous illnesses that required hospitalizations and surgeries. This biography inspires the reader to seek simplicity, humility, and a closer relationship with God.

“True humility is not thinking of oneself as worthless, but rather acknowledging that all that we have is a gift from God. The humble person is not focused on their own achievements but sees themselves as the least of all. Humility opens the door to divine grace, and without it, even the greatest virtues cannot bear fruit. Saint Paisios often said, ‘The greatest enemy of humility is pride, which makes us see ourselves as capable of everything.’”

Not only a biography, this book also includes many of Saint Paisios’ teachings on repentance and spiritual discernment, shared through his interactions with pilgrims and other laypeople. We learn that Saint Paisios had a unique way of addressing both monastics and laypeople — in some cases he was exceedingly gentle while in others he appeared quite stern, using discernment to interact with visitors in a way that would most effectively reach their hearts.

“Suffering, although difficult, is an integral part of the Christian path. Through suffering, we are united with Christ, who Himself suffered for our salvation. Saint Paisios taught that we should never seek to avoid suffering but should accept it as a means of growing in love and humility. When we suffer with patience, it transforms us and draws us closer to God’s mercy.”

Hieromonk Isaac uses a mix of factual narrative, personal accounts, and spiritual commentary in this authoritative and detailed portrayal of a beloved Saint that captures his personality and humor. The book shows how Saint Paisios became a beacon of Orthodox spirituality in the modern age, influencing many thousands of Orthodox faithful not only in Greece but around the world.

Saint Paisios the Athonite (Translation by Father Peter Chamberas)

This is the other main biography of Saint Paisios that also focuses on his life, holiness, miracles, and teachings, but written in a far more concise style to appeal to a wider audience who has less free time to read long volumes (the biography by Hieromonk Isaac is over 700 pages long while this book is under 200 pages). It’s ideal for those who are seeking a foundational introduction of Saint Paisios’ life and his spiritual impact.

In this book, you’ll read about Saint Paisios’ early life, his calling to monasticism, his encounters with pilgrims, and also his ascetic practices. There is also a reflection of his repose in 1994 and his canonization in 2015.

“Repentance is the key to the Kingdom of Heaven. No matter how great our sins may be, if we truly repent, God will forgive us. Repentance is not only a change of mind, but a change of heart—a turning back to God with humility and love.”

Suitable for beginners, young readers, or those who are limited on time, Saint Paisios the Athonite is a spiritually uplifting introduction of one of the most cherished saints of our modern era.

The Gurus, the Young Man, and Elder Paisios

This book offers a firsthand account of the pitfalls of New Age and Eastern spirituality, written by a Greek man who was heavily involved with Eastern religions. Forsaking the truth of Orthodoxy, Dionysios Farasiotis dabbled heavily with occult practices, to the point that he visibly saw the powers of dark angels and other demonic manifestations. In spite of these evil “miracles,” his soul was justifiably troubled by the experiences.

“There are many who claim to have the answer to life’s questions, but without Christ, all paths lead to confusion. The world is full of gurus and philosophies, but they cannot give you the peace that comes from knowing Christ.”

Through God’s providence, He befriended Saint Paisios on Mount Athos, who treated him with love and discernment over the course of many meetings in an attempt to bring him back to the true faith. This book is a memoir that chronicles the dark period of Dionysios’ life and how Saint Paisios reached his soul.

For Children

Saint Paisios the Hagiorite: Paterikon for Kids

This heartwarming children’s book helps children understand the Orthodox faith through Saint Paisios’ living example. It uses stories and anecdotes from his life to teach them about the importance of patience, obedience, and reliance of God.

“When we help others, we are helping Christ. Even a smile, a kind word, or a small act of love can make a big difference. Never underestimate how much good you can do.”

You’ll also find spiritual lessons that emphasize kindness and love for others, all written in an engaging, child-friendly way to inspire young Orthodox readers.

Saint Paisios of the Holy Mountain: The Heavenly Signalman

The second children’s book contains a brief overview of Saint Paisios’ life, focusing on his role as a spiritual guide and intercessor. “The Heavenly Signalman” refers to his ability to “signal” divine truths to people and guide them toward God. It is targeted for children older than the previous book.

“When we face difficulties and struggles, prayer is our refuge. Do not lose heart in moments of crisis; instead, turn to God in prayer. He is always there to help, and through prayer, we receive strength to face any challenge.”

The Heavenly Signalman contains stories of his meetings with pilgrims, spiritual teachings, accounts of miraculous interventions, and personal stories that display Saint Paisios’ humor, wisdom, and love for others, all to encourage young readers on their Orthodox spiritual journey.

Saint Paisios’ Teachings In Podcast Format

Father Kosmas of Australia, who met Saint Paisios, has produced several engaging podcasts about the saint…

View more of his podcasts here.

Conclusion

There is no shortage of material produced about Saint Paisios, since many who have learned directly from him face-to-face are still alive today. The authors of the books above and his spiritual children around the world convincingly show us that his life is applicable even to our own. May these books help us all to climb the heavenly ladder and join Saint Paisios in eternal communion with our Lord.

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