The Good God created man free. He is nobly unimposing. He respects man’s freedom, freely leaving each person to follow that path which brings him or her comfort. He does not force everyone stand in the same line with military discipline. For that reason, we should leave youths to themselves, without restraint, in the spiritual realm of their God-given freedom. They are not helped by constant questioning about which life[—i.e., married or monastic]—they will follow. This is a topic in which they should not be influenced by anyone. Each person has his or her calling.

Again, the parents, the Spiritual fathers, the educators, should help youths to choose whichever life is most suitable for them, and to follow that path to which they are truly called, without influencing or hindering their calling. Their choice should be their own. The rest of us should only express our humble opinions. Our only right is to help these souls find their path.

Sometimes when I speak with youths who are troubled by this topic, although I see towards which path the scale tilts I don’t tell them, so as not to influence them. I only try, as much as I am able, to do that which helps them find the right path and inner peace. I take away anything harmful from whatever it is they enjoy and find rest within – thus leaving them only with that which is beneficial and holy, in order to live their lives joyously with God, and in the next life more even more joyously. Whichever life a young person I know may choose to follow, I will sincerely rejoice, and will always have the same interest for their salvation. It is enough that he is close to Christ and His Church.

Naturally, I especially rejoice in those youths who follow the monastic life. He who follows the angelic life is truly wise, for he flees the hook of the devil who uses the world as a lure. But you can’t put all people into the same mold. Christ, you see, did not give Monasticism as a commandment – as much as it is the path of perfection – because He did not want to place this weighty calling on everyone. When the young man asked Him how to be saved[1] , Christ answered him “keep the Commandments”[2]. And when he said that he did keep them [3] and asked “what lack I yet?”[4] , Christ said to him, “One thing thou lackest: If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and come and follow me”[5] In other words, if He found someone with any philotimo, then He spoke to him of perfection. He didn’t come to cast a noose upon people. He did not even teach Monasticism, for this would have “started a fire” and perhaps many would have run without discernment to become monastics, with bad results. He only threw a spark and, when the suitable time arrived, Monasticism sprang forth.

In the same way, we do not have the right to force others. If they wish, let them force themselves. We only have the right to force ourselves, and even that with discernment. I have never told any youth that they should marry or become a monastic. If asked I say to them, “Do that which comforts you. What’s most important is to be close to Christ.” If they tell me that they do not find comfort in the world, then I speak to them of monasticism, so as to help them find their path.

Translation by Fr. Luke Hartung from the book Family Life [in Greek], by Elder Paisios the Athonite, published by the Sacred Hesychastirion of St. John the Evangelist, Souroti, Greece (2002).