The Monastic Tradition of the 20th Century on the Example of the St. Porphyry Kavsokalivit and St. Paisios the Athonite

The article examines the continuity of the monastic tradition based on the study of the life of two saints of the 20th century — Porphyry Kavsokalivit (1906–1991) and Paisios the Athonite (1924–1994). There are two ways of spiritual ascent, which clearly reflect the three stages of spiritual life according to the teachings of the Eastern Holy fathers: purification, enlightenment, and deification. Emphasized is the importance of spiritual leadership in the life of every Orthodox Christian, and as for monastic ones — elder’s spiritual assistance. Attention is drawn to the fact that representatives of the Russian monastic community — monk Dimos and hieroschymonk Tikhon (Golenkov) — played an important role in the life of both ascetics. This article is a revised version of the report that was presented at the V Scientific and Theological Conference of the Historical Society of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, held on May 31, 2019.