“Be still and know that I am the Lord God.” Psalm 46:10

The excerpts below describe what happened to me when I met archimandrite Ioannikios Kotsonis, the spiritual father, the theologian and poet, at the Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration of our Saviour at Sohos last week. I was absorbed in the presence of the Holy Spirit and “reduced” to silence. “Be still and know that I am the Lord God.” Everybody else was asking him all kinds of questions, and only me remained silent by his side, so that in the end, puzzled he turned to me and asked me why I was not asking him any questions. “It is enough for me to see you, Father”, I replied. I was so absorbed in his presence! Such a tangible presence of holiness!

*

Fountains in the Desert (27)

Three Fathers used to go and visit blessed Anthony every year and two of them used to discuss their thoughts and the salvation of their souls with him, but the third always remained silent and did not ask him anything. After a long time, Abba Anthony said to him, “You often come here to see me, but you never ask me anything,” and the other replied, “It is enough for me to see you, Father.”

*

“In the summer of 2004, on a tour of Romanian Monasteries with a group of pilgrims from Ploiesti including my spiritual brother in Christ Fr. Bogdan Costin Georgescu, I had the privilege and blessing of meeting Father Ioanichie Balan in Sihastria Monastery. Father Ioanichie took us to the cell of his spiritual Father, Elder Cleopa and gave us a full tour of the monastery. As we made our way around the grounds he made the observation: “The English priest (referring to me) is very quiet!” After a translation, I replied “Forgive me Father but I have nothing to say!”

It was not that I was disinterested or reserved, quite the contrary I was fully engaged in the moment, and it had nothing to do with the language barrier. I was aware of being in the presence of a holy man and in a holy place. At such moments and places it is better to say nothing because the veil between heaven and earth is thin and we should cherish a glimpse of the uncreated light. We learn by listening and looking, but more than this, contentment of soul is to be found in sensitive stillness. For those in love, words are not necessary when one is absorbed in the presence of the other. Likewise when we live in harmony with God in the tangible presence of holiness, silence is to be preferred.”

Fr. Jonathan Hemmings

*

Elder Ioannikios was taught by Saint Porfyrios two things for spiritual grace: “the cheerful obedience to my Elders” and “unceasing noetic prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.”

“Elder Porphyrios also stressed that, he had been greatly helped by study and diligence, that stillness – according to the expression, “Be still and know that I am the Lord God.”– generally found in the hymnography of our Church. He very much loved the hymns of our Church. He also liked to read, recite and sing them.

The hymns, the spiritual treasure of Orthodoxy, give a commentary, in the best possible way, of the Holy Scriptures, our Orthodox Tradition, the Patristic texts, the doctrines of the Church and the whole of Theology.”

Visit Here for more prophesies, testimonies and experiences with Saint Porfyrios —Elder Ioannikios