The future elder and saint Paisius was born on December 20, 1722, in the city of Poltava into a pious family of priests. He was baptized with the name Peter. His father John was the rector of Dormition Cathedral. His mother Irina became a nun later in her life. Peter was a quiet boy who loved to read. At an early age he read every spiritual book at home and in the cathedral library. Schema-archimandrite Paisuis was glorified on July 20, 1982, the feast day of the Holy Prophet Elias, at the Skete of St. Elias on Mount Athos, the skete founded by St Paisius.