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| Elder Cleopas (left) and Elder Paisios (right) |
In 1977 Elder Cleopas went on a pilgrimage to Mount Athos. After visiting many monasteries he finally arrived at the cell of Elder Paisios, to whom he asked: "Father Paisios, I want to stay on Mount Athos. What advice do you have?"
Elder Paisios, who had the gift of foresight, told him:
"Father Cleopas, if you stay on Mount Athos you will be a flower among other spiritual flowers on the Holy Mountain, but if you go to Romania, and this you should do, you will be viewed as an apostle."
After hearing this, the Elder obeyed the words of Elder Paisios as if they came from God Himself, despite the love he had for the Holy Mountain.