from the fade of Egypt and the deserts of Palestine and Syria to the caves and cells of Mount Athos and even Beyond to the vast forests of Northern Russia these are the chronicles of the [Music] desert the waves of the deep blue aan sea crash rhythmically against the rocks on the shores of Mount AOS the Sacred Garden of the panayia its steep Cliffs adorned with scarp and rock uphold a rich abundant and mysterious Christian tradition which has endured for over 10 centuries unchanged in time and Essence it has nurtured countless known and unknown holy men
in its imposing monasteries hidden cells remote caves and Lush Woods it serves as a Priceless and enduring symbol of the Orthodox world and the monastic way of life but long before all of this centuries before monasteries sprouted everywhere on the athonite peninsula a young monk called Peter lay silently praying on a ship that calmly sailed East from Rome swaying on the waves of the sea surrounded by the blue sea and sky the monk was resting from the long Voyage which the will of God had taken him on its purpose known only to him while praying
sleep slowly overtook him and as he dreamt he saw an otherworldly light stronger than the Suns in whose midst stood the holy mother of God with St Nicholas alongside of her St Nicholas pointing toward the monk asked the mother of God all holy mother of God having rescued your servant from chains Point him to where he should spend the rest of his life the mother of God answered thusly he shall go to mount athos gifted from my son and God to all those who wish to renounce the world and take upon themselves spiritual Feats according
to their strength strength and invoke my name with faith and love so that they may spend this temporary life without sorrow and please God I love that place and wish for the monastic order to grow there the mercy of God will dwell there as I spread the monastic families on that mountain from the south to the north from sea to Sea their name will be famous throughout the Universe and I shall protect all those living a life of asceticism in that Holy [Music] Place awaking from his dream monk Peter began to pray fervently thanking God
the theotokos and St Nicholas for their guidance when suddenly the ship anchored as if by an invisible force halted its voyage and stood utterly still before a tall Rock and Lush Mountain whose sharp Skyward Heights glinted with snowcapped Peaks which stood proudly against the Blue Sky the crew of the ship ran to the deck surprised by the unusual sudden stop what is this place monk Peter asked one of the sailors it's Mount AOS I believe I am the reason why the ship remains still despite the strong winds you must leave me here and go on
your way for this must be the place which God has been leading me to the monk declared with unwavering faith and obedience to the will of God 7even years passed since the monk Peter found his place of Hermitage deep in the overgrown Wilderness of the Holy Mountain a damp dark cave in which he immersed himself in prayer and fasting enduring with resilience and strength many Temptations and snares of the evil one who often took on different appearances to waver and weaken the Saint's will one night while monk Peter prayed the darkness of his cave was
overcome with white blinding light shining at the entrance where stood the evil one having taken on the appearance of an Angel he stood sword in hand and firmly said come out of your cave servant of Christ and behold good news but who are you what good news do you bring I am an angel of God he answered and I have been sent to you to say rejoice for a glorious throne and an unwithering wreath in the Kingdom of Heaven awaits you now leave this place and go go into the world so that you may benefit
and help many as is God's will but who am I to have an angel of God standing before me I who am but a foul dog begged the monk to which the angel compassionately answered do not fret about that for you have surpassed both Moses and Elijah both Daniel and job and you shall be called great in heaven come and see see for the spring from which you drew water has dried up by the will of God so that you may go to the monasteries of the world and I shall be with you and with
you I shall save many so says the Lord the saintly monk was not convinced let it be known to you I will not go from here until I see the theotokos my pillar and everlasting Solace as well as my wavering guide St Nicholas he cried out sternly the devil upon hearing the name of the holy mother of God and St Nicholas vanished the monk recognizing the cunning act fervently prayed Lord Jesus Christ my God the Roaring devil walks in the night looking to devour me protect me with your Mighty hand I thank you for not
leaving my side and I pray to you my Lord Lord don't ever leave me for 53 years the saintly monk Peter dwelled alone in the heart of the Untamed Wilderness unseen by man immersed in Pious Solitude and unwavering prayer over time the divine power of the ever merciful god drove all Temptations and dangers far from him allowing him to Le lead a calm solitary life he wore no clothes but was covered instead by the sky he had no bed and sleeping on the ground he endured the Mountain's harsh elements suffering through scorching summer days and
freezing winter nights all of this he endured out of love for God in pursuit of his Heavenly Kingdom and ever loving presence one day the Lord deemed it fit to reveal the righteous Elder a hunter armed with a bow and a quiver of arrows on his back ventured through the Wilderness in pursuit of a mighty deer he had spotted climbing up a steep hill he saw the Majestic deer standing at the mouth of a cave alongside a mysterious figure the figure a thin frail man had a long white beard flowing down his chest mistaking the
Elder for an apparition the frightened Hunter dropped his bow and fled in fear only to be stopped by a powerful voice that resounded why do I frighten you oh man why do you run from me come back towards me and I shall tell you about myself for that is why the Lord has sent you to me hesitatingly the hunter approached the Elder whose weathered face bore the wisdom of countless years in a gentle embrace the Elder greeted the Hunter and as they sat down he began to share the story of his life he spoke of
the Divine guidance that led him to the Holy Mountain recounting how the Lord and the theotokos had shaped his path the hunter baffled and Amazed by the Elder's tale declared in astonishment I Now understand how the Lord has blessed me he has led me an unworthy servant to meet a hidden and unknown holy man from this day on I shall dwell here with you in obedience for the rest of my days the Elder declined gently no my child you shall return home and dedicate a year to solitude and repentance give away your possessions and wholly
devote yourself to prayer and fasting after a year has passed come back to me and if it is God's will it will be done then the Elder blessed him and sent him off go in peace my child and reveal the secret bestowed upon you to no one the hunter bowed to the Saint and departed glorifying God for letting him meet the holy [Music] hermit a year later on a summer day the hunter ventured through the woods of Mount AOS alongside his brother who was tormented by an evil spirit and two other companions who thought that
they had come here to hunt he however had spent the past year immersed in constant prayer self n renouncing all of the world for the love of God and his beloved Elder and now he was back looking for his Hermitage he led the way and running ahead barely able to contain his excitement he entered the cave to his surprise he was greeted by the sight of the Elder lying peacefully on the ground his eyes closed his hands resting perfectly still on his chest falling to his knees beside his beloved Elder the hunter wept overwhelmed with
grief soon his companions arrived as well and seeing him kneeling in front of the Elder's body they wanted to know who was this strange man and why he meant so much to him the hunter holding back his tears recounted the story of meeting the Elder and how that had changed his life as his companions listened their hearts swelled with affection and sorrow lamenting the missed opportunity to get to know him as well suddenly the Hunter's tormented brother consumed by the evil spirit staggered towards the body of the Elder as he touched it he crumpled to
the ground and the entity within him screeched Peter is it not enough that you drove me from my cave must you drive me from this dwelling as well smoke billowed from the man's mouth and he rose slowly liberated from the spirit's grip then he dropped to the elders feet kissing them with profound gratitude reverence and tears even after the Saint's death the ever merciful god would continue bringing about out miraculous healings through him and his intercessions inspiring all and bringing many people closer to God may we all through the prayers of St Peter the athonite
be blessed with a small measure of his exceptional courage strength and unwavering love for God [Music] for [Music] [Music] for [Music] [Music] fore for [Music] [Music]
