Elder Hadji-Georgis the Athonite

Descendants always have a sacred duty to write down the divine achievements of the holy Fathers of their times and the struggle they undertook out of philotimo in order to draw closer to God. Naturally, by writing about our Saints, we too benefit, because in this way, we remember and try to imitate them; then the Saints are moved even more to help us draw closer to them. 

Therefore, if we must speak and write about the virtues of these righteous souls (our holy Fathers), how much more should we not neglect or be silent about the souls of our just, but unjustly treated holy Fathers whom we, wretched people that we are, have tormented with persecutions and exiles out of our own human weaknesses, jealousies and envy... 

Yet if the unrighteous repent sincerely, they too are saved, while the unjustly treated are not only saved, but rewarded as well and are the most beloved of God's children. "The Lord loveth the righteous". Holy Scripture continually praises the souls of the righteous, and the prayers of the righteous are heard. "The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects".

Therefore, among the unjustly treated Fathers of our Church is also the Blessed Father George, Hadji-Georgis, a contemporary Saint of our times. We can also say that, considering our era, he is a great Saint indeed. 

By his spiritual way of life the Elder left behind him a great reputation: "A great ascetic and strict faster", people would say. His name is even used as  a nickname for those who were strict fasters: "He is a Hadji-Georgis", they would say. 

When I first came to the Holy Mountain and wandered about the Garden of the Panagia (as most beginners usually do) in order to seek out the fragrant flowers of the Panagia (the holy Elders), so as to gather up a little spiritual pollen, I would hear everyone talking about Hadji-Georgis. The many things that I heard about him .... 

From the Contents:

- Prefatory note

- Preface

- Introduction

- The Life of our Blessed Father George (Hadji-Georgis)

- Letter of Hadji-Georgis to Metropolitan of Chios

- The Spiritual Forefathers of Hadji-Georgis

- Spiritual Laws

- Epilogue

- Maps 

- Publications