Elder Arsenios the Cave-dweller 1886-1983

I must confess that for Elder Arsenios, the Gospel words, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no guile!”are relevant. He was naturally straight-forward, simple, offenceless, meek, obedient; a rare struggler, who possessed nothing. For Elder Arsenios, his yes was always yes, and his no, no.He never harboured resentment, no matter how he was wronged. He never got angry; he never hurt anyone.He lived obedience with precision. That is why, through obedience and his unwavering faith in his Elder, he lived in a way that surpassed the laws of nature.During vigils, he began the night labouring excessively by kneeling thousands of times and then remained standing until morning. (Elder Joseph of Vatopaidi)