Paisios of Karakallou

Paisios of Karakallou, with the secular name Cleanthes Boyatzis, was born in the village of Siskleipos in Kyrenia, Cyprus. Love of the Church, of Christ and of dedication brought him young to the Holy Mountain. He came to the Monastery of the Holy Apostles Karakallou in 1898 and was tonsured a monk in 1901. He was distinguished as a practical physician and nurse, serving not only the fathers of his monastery but all the fathers of Athos, with particular attention, love and care. For fifty years he was an unmercenary physician, a humble servant, a lover of the brethren and full of care for all. It is written of him: "By experience he surpassed even trained doctors. He healed without payment all who came, and was perfectly skilled in the healing of wounds. He healed also by his kindness and affability and by his ascetic life. Monks of other monasteries, though they had trained doctors in their monasteries, left them and ran to Paisios."

They say that he never left Athos after entering it, except once, in 1924, for a necessary affair of his monastery on Chios. His ministry was continued by his fellow monk Peter with the same love. The Lord gave him rest in the tents of the righteous, taking his soul on 10 August 1954. He is venerated by the faithful, without synodal canonization.