CHAPTER I
It was sunny out, and Anastasios had just awoken from his sleep. Today was Sunday, more specifically the Sunday of Orthodoxy. 'Today is the day I am supposed to meet that Geronda Fr. Maximos told me about, I should get ready,' he said with haste. After all, it's never good to keep a Geronda--no less one from Agion Oros(Mt. Athos)--waiting. Eventually, he made it to the dock and boarded the boat which would take him to the Holy Mountain. As someone raised in America, Anastasios had been acquainted with the Death to the World movement which Fr. Seraphim Rose inspired. 'The Holy Mountain is so much more beautiful than anyone back in the States described to me,' he thought with amazement. After the boat arrived at Agion Oros, he entered the Garden of the Panagia. It barely took fifteen minutes for Geronda(Elder) Arsenios to arrive. As a man in his old age, he used a cane to walk but his face still burned with the same determination that had distinguished him from the others.
'My dear boy, are you Anastasios?'
'Yes Geronda, how do you know my name?'
'Ah, the Panagia(Mother of God) appeared to me in my dream and told me I would meet someone named Anastasios here at around this time.'
'I see.. Well, Geronda, I am guessing you know my spiritual father as well?'
'Yes, of course, Father Maximos, correct?'
'Yes, Geronda, he was the one who told me to visit you here in the Holy Mountain.'
'I see, well, shall we get going?'
'Yes, Geronda.'
With that, the two men began to climb the Holy Mountain until they reached Philotheou.
'Wait, Geronda, isn't this Philotheou monastery? The one Geronda Ephraim was the abbot of?'
'Yes, my son. I had the honor to know him personally. However, I am not the abbot of this monastery but of another that unfortunately we can not visit due to my old age. For now, until the time of my repose comes, I am staying here since the altitude is low enough that I can climb it,' he said with a smile.
'I see, Geronda. Well, I have a reason for visiting you. I seek, if the Lord wills, to become your disciple. My spiritual father has told me many times about you from when you and he were both novices,' Anastasios revealed with zeal.
'That is good news, well before I can pronounce you a novice, I need to ask you some questions.'
'Sure, go ahead Geronda,' Anastasios answered with impatience.
'Are you obedient to your spiritual father my son?'
'I try to be, but, inevitably, I fall.'
'I understand, I am glad you at least try. I imagine you know the importance of obedience as a monastic?' he asked with interest.
'Yes, of course I do Geronda. As iron submits itself unto the hammer, so do I submit unto you Geronda.'
'I see you are acquainted with St. John Klimakos' Ladder of Divine Ascent?'
'Yes, I amGeronda,' Anastasios answered with joy due to the Geronda recognizing the phrase.
'Have you ever visited a monastery Anastasios?'
'Yes, I have Geronda. In fact, I have slept in one for days before.'
'That is good. Well, you are now a novice. I will begin ordering you around shortly.'
'Thank you Geronda!' he exclaimed with indescribable joy.