Many have published works about the blessed elder Paisios, which have truly benefited people and made him more widely known. However, most of what has been circulated focuses mainly on his teachings and miracles, with very few biographical details. [...] While Elder Paisios was alive, we did not have the foresight to take notes, record him, photograph him, or collect information and details with the intention of writing his biography. His presence filled us; it was enough just to see and hear him. Perhaps this might be considered an oversight on our part, but we have a clear conscience that we did nothing that would have saddened the Elder.
Our only resource was a few notes from his answers to personal questions on spiritual matters of daily struggle. In these, the Elder mentioned examples from his own struggles, supernatural events, and demonic temptations. We mainly relied on what our memory preserved, much of which we heard more than once. The words he spoke, which we had hidden or rather written in our hearts, we now transfer to paper for the common benefit of our brothers and sisters.