The tension between Turkey and Russia after the shooting down of the Russian jet fighter Su-24 have caused many Greeks to turn to the Elder Paisios’ prophecies regarding a war between Russia and Turkey.

The monk was declared a Saint by the Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church in January. One of his prophecies was that the capital of the Byzantine Empire – Constantinople – would become Greek again. He wrote that events will culminate with Greeks “taking back Constantinople” after a war between Russia and Turkey.

In the beginning, the Turks will believe they are winning. The elder also states that the Armenians will get their property returned to them.

When Saint Paisios reposed on July 12, 1994, his only will was to hve lived for a few more years to see his country expand. “Turkey will be dissected,” he wrote. “This will be to our benefit as a nation. This way our villages will be liberated, our enslaved homelands. Constantinople will be liberated, will become Greek again.”