By the bookshelf. Tsvetoslov of advice. Elder Porfiry Kavsokalivit
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At all times, the Lord does not leave the people of God without holy shepherds who, with their lives and words, guide believers on the path to the Kingdom of Heaven. In such people, the grace of God does not become scarce, which manifests itself in numerous gifts: love for God and people, meekness, long-suffering, insight, and the gift of healing. Elder Porfiry Kavsokalivit, one of the most famous ascetics among the famous Athonite elders of the second half of the 20th century and canonized as a saint on November 27, 2013, was such a bearer of God’s grace. And today we bring to your attention a book that is a collection of spiritual instructions and advice from St. Porfiry. It is called “Tsvetoslov of Advice”.
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This collection is compiled on the basis of various books and periodicals about Father Porfiry. Its compiler, Doctor of Theology Konstantinos Karakoli, in the preface briefly describes the main stages of the elder’s life. Thus, he says, we will be able to better understand this book and spiritually enjoy the company of Father Porfiry. We will not dwell in detail on the elder’s life story; we will only say that he was born in 1906 into a pious and God-fearing family. Not having the opportunity to study at school, I learned to read the Gospel and liturgical books. At the age of 13, he secretly went to Holy Mount Athos, and at 14, he became a monk.
After living there for several years in obedience to the elders, he fell ill and returned to Euboea. Here and in every place where the Lord directed him, he served God and people for several decades. All this time the elder strove for obscurity, but God glorified him. People came to him from everywhere for spiritual support and consolation. But shortly before his death, Father Porfiry received a message from God that his end was near, and he wished to humbly end his life away from the world, in the peace and quiet of God. The elder humbly reposed in his cell in the monastery of Kavsokalyvia on the Holy Mountain on December 2, 1991. As the author-compiler writes, after the death of the Elder, many of his spiritual children began to write articles about him in a variety of periodicals and publish very good books. They talked about their own meetings with Father Porfiry, and cited incidents from the lives of other people, both clergy and laity, who knew the Elder closely.
Father Porfiry played a very important role in the lives of many, many people. Therefore, Orthodox people loved the published books so much that some of them went through several editions. Various stories about the Elder, conversations with him, his advice and explanations of complex issues, amazing memories of his children about him, words of gratitude - such was their content. These books provided the compiler of this collection with invaluable spiritual help; they further kindled, as he himself admits, in his heart the love for Father Porfiry and the desire to be with him more often. But, as Konstantinos Karakoli notes, the excellent instructions, teachings and examples from the personal experience of the Elder, giving us the right guidelines in life, were scattered throughout many books. Therefore, it seemed to him that it would be better to collect them together, arrange them by topic and publish them in one collection, which would thus include all the books about Father Porfiry.
Having received this blessing, Konstantinos Karakoli was able to compile this book, which is a thematic collection of instructions from Father Porfiry. He writes the following about what especially struck the compiler himself when reading books about the Elder and what is reflected in this collection. Firstly, Father Porfiry’s boundless love for people. He received and consoled everyone: Orthodox, Catholics, Protestants, non-believers, Hindus, workers and scientists, people often exhausted and confused in this life. He did not see, did not want to see their shortcomings and talk about them. “Love Christ,” he instructed, “and everything that oppresses and destroys you, sinful thoughts, everything that leads you astray - all this will go away. The grace of Christ will give you healing. It's like light. When the light comes, then the darkness recedes."
The second thing the author notes is one of the main virtues of the Elder - humility. Everything was permeated with humility - his face, always beaming with joy, all his movements, the cell in which he lived, his food. One person asked Father Porfiry: “Geronda, are you not tempted by arrogance, since so many people come here and everyone is trying to meet you?” And the Elder replied: “Imagine that the abbot sent me to the store to buy Turkish delight for the monastery and gave me 100 drachmas. Is this my money so I can be proud of it?” In addition, Father Porfiry had the gift of unceasing prayer and had unlimited respect for human freedom.
Father Porfiry, according to the compiler, treated everyone as an individual, no matter how low the person fell. He felt that he, too, was one of the sinners, and did not separate himself from them. Therefore, he surrounded everyone who came to him with sincere love, did not reprimand anyone, did not make comments, and never behaved with arrogance. He accepted even those who often liked to argue with him with boundless love and tried to help them in a friendly way. The compiler paid special attention to the medical knowledge of Father Porfiry. When he was the rector of the temple at the central clinic of Athens, some doctors, faced with difficult cases, invited him to the office, and he made an accurate medical diagnosis, while speaking in the correct medical language, which amazed the entire hospital staff.
But let us not be surprised, says Konstantinos Karakoli, because the holy Elder lived in another world and, by the grace given to him, was in continuous communion with God. Already here, by the grace of God, he defeated corruption, and God Himself was his mentor. Concluding his appeal to readers, the compiler notes that in this book we will not find answers to absolutely all our questions and solutions to all our problems. But by reading it, we can become imbued with the Orthodox spiritual worldview, in which we can discover God and man. Many of the Elder’s advice are very personal in nature and therefore may not be acceptable to us. His instructions always took into account the physical condition, social and family status, and spiritual level of the one to whom his love was directed.
If someone does not understand some of the advice of Father Porfiry, the author advises not to be embarrassed by this. Perhaps, he says, you will understand them over time, or you can ask a more spiritually experienced person for clarification. The most important thing is to have a good disposition and be open to accepting the spirit of the Elder’s instructions. Father Porfiry often taught us simply by example. Inspired by prayer, love and the example of the Elder, we will be able to resolve the problems that have tormented us for many years.
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As the publishers of this book note, of course, it will be useful for any Christian to have at his disposal a collection of godly instructions from Father Porfiry, in which, thanks to grouping by topic, each issue receives comprehensive coverage. Constant in-depth study of spiritual issues is necessary for believers to achieve spiritual maturity and perfection. And the deeper we delve into one issue, the better we begin to understand others. Thus, a correct understanding of true humility leads to a correct understanding of true love, peace of heart, and forgiveness of others. We, the publishers say, with all our hearts wish that this book will help many, many Orthodox Christians in their spiritual life, in acquiring spiritual vision, in resolving many spiritual issues.
Draw closer to God with the memory of love
Father Porfiry was a desert nightingale, who with his life glorified God for the world He created, and thanked Him for the love He gave us. During one of my visits to the Elder, I found him sick in the house of friends who were caring for him. He was sitting in bed, next to him was my friend - his spiritual son. Father Porfiry told him about mortal memory. He said: “There are many ways of salvation. Some people want to get closer to God not through mortal memory, but through the memory of love. He turns his soul to heaven and asks God (at these words the Elder raised his hands and raised his eyes upward) to grant him His love, so that he too can love. And this is how he finds the path to his salvation.” Father Porfiry showed us a wonderful path of liberation, which, in all likelihood, he himself followed. With his exploits, he overcame the fear of death and food, surpassing even the hope of heavenly reward, because he tasted paradise already here.
First tip
The elder, when his interlocutor did not accept his first advice, gave in and gave him another, easier advice. But the first advice was spiritually more useful.
Now that you can stand it, I'm telling you
In the first years of my acquaintance with Father Porfiry, I did not understand many things. In the theological faculty of the university, we are accustomed to believe that saints lived earlier, in ancient times. I could not imagine that a saint was next to me.
Many years later, when my opinion finally changed, I asked the Elder: “Geronda, I have known you for so many years, you told me so much, so much happened, but I could never fully comprehend everything. Why didn’t you tell me anything about this if you loved me so much and gave me so much advice?” “You couldn’t stand it,” was the answer. “Now that you can stand it, I’m telling you.”
Talk to him confidentially...
One teacher of the Law of God had friction with a local bishop. The Metropolitan embarrassed the believers with his behavior, and the teacher asked the Elder whether he should tell the Bishop about this. Father Porfiry replied: “If you want, you can say, it’s your right to go and express your protest.” - “Would you do this yourself?” - asked the teacher. “No,” answered the Elder, “I would not do that.” - "Why?" “I wouldn’t do that, because I know that people have no obedience, they are not used to doing what others advise them. Therefore, go and, trying not to offend, talk confidentially with the bishop. If he listens to you and agrees with your words, it will be a great success. Otherwise...it's difficult..."
Quick Tips
“Be simple, reasonable, always collected, restrained. Always feel the presence of the Lord, and He will instruct you when to speak and when to remain silent.”
One day Father Porfiry told me:
“Pray that you get better.”
Then I asked him: “Geronda, what do I need to do to become better?”
And he answered: “Always say the Jesus Prayer. Love Christ, love people, don’t say anything about others, always visit the temple of God, read the Gospel so that God will enlighten you.”
Help me, Geronda, to do just that.
“Always tell the truth.
Whatever you do, do it calmly, peacefully.
Pray to become a better person."
“Be kind, obedient, patient, do not be discouraged, do not be overly sensitive, be a good worker in your service and do not talk too much about faith, about God until you are asked, but be an example to everyone in imitation of Christ.”
“Don’t sit at home, go out into nature.”
Walk to the mountains
We often asked the Elder about life, about what to prefer and what to abstain from. He always had an answer. Sometimes it’s the way you thought it would be, and sometimes it’s completely unexpected. He did not advise leaving work. Nothing like this. But he always strongly recommended a simple life in a country house. He considered a simple walk in the mountains the most wonderful vacation.
Take care of your health
The elder once asked a friend of mine about me, who had just stopped by to see him: “What is your friend doing now? As soon as you arrive in Athens, call him immediately and tell him that Geronda advises him to take care of his health, not to overwork and not to worry.” I was very touched by my friend’s phone call and the advice he conveyed from Father Porfiry. In fact, on those days I was very tired and on edge. The elder could tend his spiritual sheep, even while being far from them.
Onions, lettuce and carrots
- Do you know the properties of onions? - Father Porfiry asked me.
- Certainly. Vasodilator effect...
- See, wasn't I right? How do you know this? Who told you? Indeed, onions are a vasodilator. It has a very good effect on the heart and blood vessels, normalizes blood pressure, and has a positive effect on all organs. It greatly strengthens the body. Tell Mrs. Sophia to use more onions in the kitchen.
Then we approached the salad beds, and Father Porfiry asked me:
— Do you know what vitamins salad is rich in?
— I heard that it contains a lot of vitamin E.
- Absolutely right. Eat more salad. To make your stomach better tolerate the salad, place it in boiling water just enough to make it softer. Boil it a little and then eat. Then there will be no problems with the stomach. Tell me, do you eat carrots?
- Not much. My wife puts it in some dishes, but I don’t tolerate it well and try to avoid it because it gives me stomach pain afterwards.
- You're doing it wrong. You need to eat a lot, a lot of carrots, because they contain a lot of vitamin A, and they strengthen the body and protect it from many diseases. Even from cancer!
Before this conversation with the Elder, I knew that he was a doctor, architect, engineer, electrician, agronomist, etc. But that day I learned that he was also a nutritionist, and a very good nutritionist.
Which plot to buy
One man, a doctor, came to the Elder and told him that he had found a suitable plot to build a house and wanted to buy it. Hearing this, Father Porfiry, as if this area was before his eyes, said:
“Don’t buy it, because there are high-voltage transmission lines there, both underground and above the site, which are harmful to health and cause cancer.
The doctor left, went to the site and really saw that a high-voltage line was passing over it, as the Elder had said. He began to look for another plot, and when he found it, he again went to Father Porfiry and told him about it. He asked him if the land was good there. The doctor replied that the soil was very good. Then the Elder remarked with a smile:
- It only seems so from above, but dig a little deeper and you will see that it is not so good, there are stones there.
The doctor went to the site again and found that it was full of construction debris, which was covered with good earth on top. He continued his search, found another suitable site and went to Father Porfiry. After asking the doctor about where this land is, how many stremmas there are, etc., the Elder said:
— Buy this plot. It's good and there's a lot of water.
The doctor began to draw up documents for the purchase and went to the mayor’s office for some business. The mayor, having learned which plot the doctor was buying, said:
- You know, you take the best site. On top of that, there is a lot of water there, although no one knows about it. Many years ago we did test drilling near this site and discovered water there.
Don't buy this house
Before I bought the house we now live in, I found another one. It met all my requirements. I told the Elder about it, but he advised me not to buy it, because, as he explained to me, there is a high-voltage transmission line just above the house, which I did not pay attention to, and this is dangerous to health. Having acted according to the advice of Father Porfiry, I did not buy this house. Many scientists agree that if high-voltage transmission lines run near your home, they can even cause cancer, especially in children.
Where and how to build a house
Father Porfiry gave us advice on what area to build a house in, how to orient it to the cardinal points so that the sun would enter the rooms throughout the day, how to arrange a heating system, etc. d. He also always told us about proper nutrition and diet.
