Talk 19: The Life of Elder Porphyrios of Greece

Among Christians today one may encounter three incorrect views regarding the saints. The first is that saints are a thing of the past, not encountered in our day and age. The second is that saints achieve holiness because they are born with special qualities or God especially chose them (predestined them) to be saints, and therefore holiness is unattainable for ordinary people. The third view is that saints are myths, because the accounts of their miracles and extraordinary way of life are impossible to believe.

In this talk, Father Kosmas relates in detail the life of Elder Porphyrios (1906–1991) and shows how an “ordinary person” can become a saint—even today. He emphasises that one receives great spiritual benefit from reading the lives of saints, particularly those who lived in our times. This account of this great saint shatters the th ...