Note on the English Translation ix
Biographical Note x

PART ONE: THE LIFE OF ELDER PORPHYRIOS
The Path to the Holy Mountain 1
The Holy Mountain – Kavsokalyvia 10
Evia 37
The Polyclinic Hospital in Athens 49
Saint Nicholas at Kallisia 70
The Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration at Milesi 75
Kavsokalyvia – 1991 82

PART TWO: THE WISDOM OF ELDER PORPHYRIOS
On the Church 87
On Divine Eros 96
On Prayer 113
On Spiritual Struggle 134
On the Monastic Life 158
On the Mystery of Repentance 173
On Love for One’s Neighbour 180
On Divine Providence 190
On the Upbringing of Children 195
On Dispositions of the Heart 212
On Creation 218
On Illness 224
On the Gift of Clear Sight 232

APPENDIX
Saint John the Hut-dweller 249
The Skete of Kavsokalyvia 250
Map of Evia and Attiki 252
Map of Mount Athos 253

Prologue 9
An Introduction to the Elder’s Counsels 19

PART ONE
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LOVE
CHAPTER ONE
The Indifferent Generation 33
CHAPTER TWO
The Presence of a Christian Is a Confession of Faith 49
CHAPTER THREE
To the Pure All Things Are Pure 68
CHAPTER FOUR
Actions With Prudence and Love 81

PART TWO
STRUGGLE AND DEVOUTNESS
CHAPTER ONE
The Good Fight 103
CHAPTER TWO
How the Devil Works 123
CHAPTER THREE
The Benefits of Good Fellowship 134

CHAPTER FOUR
Devoutness Moves God 147
CHAPTER FIVE
Self-Offering Provides Divine Oxygen 171

PART THREE
SPIRITUAL BRAVERY
CHAPTER ONE
The Signs of the Times 197
CHAPTER TWO
Sacrifice Brings Joy 218
CHAPTER THREE
Bravery Is Born of Trust in God 241
CHAPTER FOUR
For the Faithful, Martyrdom Is a Festival 257

PART FOUR
DEPENDENCE UPON HEAVEN
CHAPTER ONE
God’s Providence For Man 277
CHAPTER TWO
Faith and Trust in God 294
CHAPTER THREE
Where Man Cannot Reach, God Provides Help 315

PART FIVE
SPIRITUAL WEAPONS
CHAPTER ONE
Prayer Is a Powerful Weapon 333

CHAPTER TWO
Monasteries Are the Fortresses of the Church 355
CHAPTER THREE
The Deeper Meaning of Life 3 81

INDEX
Scriptural Index 399
General Index 403