Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian was the spiritual father of Elder Paisios and his family. Saint Arsenios had baptized little Arsenios (the future Elder Paisios) and had given him his name. He prophesied that little Arsenios would one day become a monk, which was indeed what happened.
During the exchange of populations between Greece and Turkey right after the Christian genocides perpetrated by the Turks, Saint Arsenios had led his flock in Farasa of Cappadocia along a 400-mile distance to Greece.
His feast is November 10, the day after the feast of the great Saint Nektarios of Aegina. At Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, we are blessed to have relics of Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian in our chapel reliquary. I do not think this is a mere coincidence. If I may be so bold as to suggest, I believe that this is Divine Providence. At the spiritual factory of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, we have a great yet humble monastic Saint among us, praying for us daily. And with him, Elder Paisios is so closely associated.
The following is from the Supplication Service (Paraklesis) to Saint Arsenios:
Ode VI
You guided your human flock in Pharasa* to the Master Christ, o God-bearing Elder,* with godly words and impeccable lifestyle,* and out of love you expended yourself for them.* We wanderers ask you to be* our guide to the Lord, O Arsenios.
Ode VII
Of old you followed*your flock of refugees, Father,* like a hen who keeps her chicks all together; hence you guard the faithful* who now in you take refuge.
See, Precious Vessels of the Holy Spirit: The Lives & Counsels of Contemporary Elders of Greece by Herman A. Middleton
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Supplication Service (Paraklesis) To Our Devout and Miracle-Working Father Arsenios the Cappadocia – ΠΑΡΑΚΛΗΤΙΚΟΣ ΚΑΝΩΝ ΕΙΣ ΤΟΝ ΟΣΙΟΝ ΚΑΙ ΘΑΥΜΑΤΟΥΡΓΟΝ ΠΑΤΕΡΑ ΗΜΩΝ ΑΡΣΕΝΙΟΝ ΤΟΝ ΚΑΠΠΑΔΟΚΗΝ
-English text prepared by Fr. Nicholas Palis and Fr. Seraphim Dedes, based on a similar service in Greek by Hieromonk Athanasios Simonopetris, Hymnographer of the Holy Great Church of Christ
