Description
A Saint for Latter Times: The Life and Akathist of the All-Virtuous Panaretos
In an age of doubt, discover a saint who proves the Orthodox Christian Faith is alive. This volume of The Orthodox Christian Treasury series unveils the extraordinary life of a modern-day wonderworker: our Holy Father Panaretos, Archbishop of Paphos (+1791). His life, as recorded by his disciples, is a powerful testimony that the age of saints has not passed and that the grace of God is as abundant today as it was in the deserts of old.
An Authentic Treasure, Now Accessible to All
This moving account of St. Panaretos is taken from the celebrated Eklogion, a renowned collection of saints’ lives cherished by the Greek-speaking faithful. Our text is translated directly from the faithful 1869 edition, making this a true unearthing of a classic spiritual text. For centuries, this profound account of a modern saint has remained largely unknown to the English-speaking world.
We are pleased to present the first complete English translation of this text prepared by Orthodox Christians, for Orthodox Christians. This is not a modern summary or a retelling. It is a direct and faithful rendering of this classic account, allowing you to encounter the quiet majesty and secret struggles of St. Panaretos as pious Orthodox Christians have read of them for over 150 years.
Witness the Hidden Power of a Humble Hierarch
In this authentic and moving Life of the Saint, you will discover:
- A Desert in the City: Read the complete, unabridged account of how St. Panaretos lived a life of extreme asceticism not in the wilderness, but in the midst of a bustling episcopal residence, standing all night in prayer.
- The Secret Chain: Witness the powerful and climactic discovery after his repose—the heavy iron chain, worn cross-wise and embedded in his flesh, which revealed secret labor and love for Christ.
- God-Given Foresight: Marvel at the wondrous account of his prophetic power, where he foreknew the providential arrival of a ship bearing his confessor, turning his disciples’ doubt into awe-filled Faith.
- Righteous Judgment & Merciful Love: Experience the dramatic story of the avaricious priest, whose hardened heart was met first by the saint’s fearsome word and later by his swift and loving mercy.
- A Holy and Prepared Repose: Be inspired by the sanctity of his final days as he foresaw his own death, dug his own grave, and sewed his own burial garments, meeting his end with peaceful readiness.
- Miracles at His Tomb: Read the account of his first posthumous miracle—the instantaneous healing of a paralytic—and how he later appeared in a dream to protect his holy relics.
Pray to the Saint with the Included Akathist Hymn
This volume is elevated from a historical text to a living spiritual tool with the inclusion of a beautiful, newly-composed Akathist Hymn to St. Panaretos. Compiled by the Sacred Monastery of St. John of the Ladder and presented in a universal format for all Orthodox Christians, this powerful prayer service allows you to:
- Glorify His Secret Feats: Magnify his hidden virtues, asceticism, humility, and God-given gifts of wonderworking and foresight.
- Seek His Powerful Intercession: Entreat St. Panaretos for his heavenly aid in your own spiritual struggles, for strength to live a virtuous life in the world, and for the healing of soul and body.
- A Treasure for Your Prayer Rule: A valuable resource for private devotion or for use in church services on his feast day (May 1st).
Beautifully Presented for Reading & Reflection
This digital edition has been carefully prepared to enhance your reading experience:
- Clear, Readable Font: Size 12 EB Garamond used for the main text of the Life for comfortable reading.
- Elegant Page Design: Each page of the A4 PDF version is graced with an elegant decorative border, reflecting traditional Orthodox book design.
- Inspiring Interior Art: The PDF includes beautiful sketches inspired by the Saint’s life.
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Clean and Readable Layout: We have used ample line spacing and professional typesetting to ensure the text is easy and comfortable to read.
Flexible Digital Formats Included (PDF + EPUB Ebook)
Your single, DRM-free purchase provides instant access to two carefully prepared files:
- PDF Version: Preserves the beautiful, fixed layout with borders and graphics, ideal for printing, reading on tablets, or desktop study.
- EPUB Ebook Version: Standard reflowable ebook format, perfect for comfortable reading on Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, Android e-readers, and other devices.
Support Authentic Orthodox Monastic Life
The Sacred Monastery of St. John of the Ladder, nestled in Boetia, Greece, is home to a small brotherhood dedicated to a life of prayer and the preservation of traditional Orthodox monastic handiwork. By purchasing this digital publication, you receive an invaluable spiritual treasure while directly supporting our brotherhood in our mission to keep ancient Orthodox Christian traditions alive. Your support helps us continue our life of prayer and service.
Download your copy today and be inspired by the secret struggles of St. Panaretos, the All-Virtuous Hierarch of Paphos!
