Pilgrim testimony of the blind Elder Isidore.

Somewhere on a route to Mount Athos, I met an elder. I wanted to ask him for his blessing. I said: "Elder, your blessing." I bend down reverently to kiss his hand, while he was holding his komboskini.

"Elder" I asked him, "why did you kiss me? I am not a priest."

"My child" he answered me, "do not forget that this hand (mine) was made by God, you are my brother".

There I realized, full of emotions, the difference between Mount Athos and the outside world. It was all I wanted to see.