Perché disturbare Dio?
Il padre era discreto non solo nei confronti degli uomini, ma anche verso Dio. Nel periodo successivo all’intervento all’occhio aveva dei dolori fortissimi, si era ridotto quasi in fin di vita e i medici avevano perso ogni speranza. Le monache hanno pensato allora di celebrare il rito della benedizione dell’olio (efcheleo): con il permesso del padre è stato fatto e i dolori sono scomparsi. Pochi giorni dopo, però, sono tornati. Allora gli hanno proposto di ripetere l’efcheleo. E il padre sofferente ha risposto: “Perché disturbare ancora Dio? Dal momento che, dopo la prima preghiera, i dolori sono spariti ma presto sono ritornati, significa che Dio vuole che io soffra. Lasciamo dunque agire la Sua santa volontà”.
(Vicino a Padre Porfirio. Un suo figlio spirituale racconta)
Why Should We Bother God?
The Elder was discreet, not only with people, but with God too. It was the time when he had undergone eye surgery. He was in great pain, and had been at death’s door. The doctors had written him off completely. The nuns thought about getting his blessing for the Service of Holy Unction. The Elder consented. The Service of Holy Unction took place and the pain receded. However, some days later the pain returned. Then the nuns suggested that they do another Holy Unction Service. The Elder, in pain, said, “Why should we bother God? Since the pain left after the first Holy Unction, but returned, it means that God wants me to be in pain. Let’s allow His holy will to be done.”
(With Elder Porphyrios: A spiritual child remembers)
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Πληροφορίες γιὰ τοὺς τίτλους τῶν Ἐκδόσεων τοῦ Ἱεροῦ Ἡσυχαστηρίου μπορεῖτε νὰ βρεῖτε ἐδῶ
I do remember this tragic at least for me period, when my beloved Elder was under this grave suffering and his body had been left half from not eating and the strong pain. He also had all the other illnesses from which he was suffering without a word of complain. Once when I was in a very bad health condition and was fighting for my health with devastating pains, he had told me.Panagiotaki mou when the strong pain comes and takes all your strength, bow down and embrace the Holy Feet of our Beloved Bridegroom of our souls, Jesus Christ on His Cross, and with tears ask Him to forgive your sins and He will do what is the best for you.This is what he was all his life, doing not only for him but also for the the sins of all his spiritual children and many suffering people that were asking for his prayers. He was always praying for all people on the earth and was suffering for all those who were suffering and were close and/known to him. His effort was never to make the Bridegroom of His soul to feel sad but always try to follow His Will with humility and perfect Love. He was doing that all the time, myself was not able to do this just for me and even for a short time. He did not get all these charismas from God with chocolates and candies as Saint Paisios had told me ones, but with continuous Love with Sacrifice Humility and full surrender to the will of God.