This year marks thirty-five years of the existence of our spiritual community and the rectorship of Abbess Philothei as first Abbess of our Holy Hesychasterion.
The title of this book -the fourth in the series of synaxes for women- refers to the esperiences of the eldress, who has lived humbly and very practically through her willing obedience to Christ and her continuous discipleship to the salvific truths of the teachings of our all-discerning Fr. Symeon Krayiopoulos, the founder of this community. These are truths that are simple but have deep and poignant meaning that are experienced in the uninterrupted flow of the reality of life.
It would perhaps be fitting to dedicate this book to the women who were inspirational for all that was said during the synaxes. They themselves repeatedly asked for a continuation of the synaxes which had been held with Fr. Symeon for many years, and at their urging these have been continued.
However, we dare to dedicate the present edition to Gerontissa herself as a sincere espression of gratitude for her efforts and the pain she endured for so many years, and continues to endure, to preserve the life of the community and to support the sisterhood in our continual spiritual struggle.
Each sister from her own perspective would be able to testify to the help and benefit which she received from Gerontissa's presence, who has modestly and quietly tried all these years, without sparing any effort or time, to help us in our spiritual struggle, together with all the work that continues to be undertaken by the current spiritual father of the Hesychasterion, Fr. Ioannis Grintzos.
The sisters of the Hesychasterion
July 2022