Brief Overview of His Life
He was born in Nabay, a Lebanese village, on April 12, 1937, into a deeply pious priestly family. His mother passed away when he was only 12 years old. He engaged in farming and carpentry and studied Byzantine music under the guidance of Mitri El-Murr, Protopsaltis of the Antiochian Church.
From an early age, he exhibited seriousness in his life and a profound love for God, traits inherited from his father. Losing his mother at a tender age, he found solace in accompanying his father, a chanter, to religious services and prayers, which deepened his spiritual connection, thus drawing him closer to God.
With a keen interest in monastic life, he ventured to the Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Bkeftine, where he stayed for about two or three months. Later, he moved to the Balamand Monastery’s school to continue his studies, where he dedicated himself to excelling academically.
He travelled to the island of Patmos in Greece, where he completed his secondary education in 1968. Later, he studied theology at the University of Thessaloniki and served as a deacon at the renowned Cathedral of Saint Demetrius. Renowned for his melodious voice, worshippers would specifically attend this church to hear him recite the litanies in both Greek and Arabic. During this time, he became acquainted with Mount Athos, the holy mountain near Thessaloniki, learned about monasticism there, and met his spiritual father, Saint Paisios (+July 12, 1994).
Upon returning to Lebanon, he was ordained as a priest at Our Lady of Balamand Monastery by the laying on of hands of Patriarch Elias IV Mouawad. He chose to settle at the Monastery of Saint George in Hamatoura in 1973 after it had been devoid of monks for a long period. There, he renovated its church and cells, replanted its olive groves (known to this day as "Isaac's Grove," renowned as the best within the monastery's grounds), and transformed its barren orchards into flourishing vineyards. At that time, the monastery became a spiritual hub attracting many souls to the divine light.
During the 1975 Koura War, artillery was positioned near the monastery, and its orchards turned into a military zone, prompting Father Philips to leave the place. He travelled to Thessaloniki, where he became an archimandrite in 1976, serving at the Church of Saint Barbara in the city and overseeing the Balamand theology students in Thessaloniki.
In 1978, he settled on Mount Athos, where he was tonsured a monk and took the name of his patron saint, Isaac the Syrian. He spent a year at the Stavronikita Monastery before establishing his own kalyva, the Holy Resurrection Kalyva, which he personally rebuilt in Kapsala near the mountain's capital, Karyes.
Initially, he lived alone in the Holy Resurrection Kalyva for four years in severe austerity, facing numerous trials that attempted to drive him away from his kalyva. On one occasion, his thoughts became so overwhelming that he found himself uncertain about his path. While wandering in the wilderness, he stumbled upon an old grave. Standing before it, he prayed and contemplated his own death, saying to himself, "Here is where I die." Instantly, his troubled thoughts vanished. Following the Athonite monastic tradition, which mandates that a monk dig his own grave by hand to maintain a constant contemplation of death, Father Isaac dug a hole of his own height in the soil of the nearby garden to serve as his grave. Each day, he would cense the grave, which ultimately became his final resting place after he peacefully passed away on the evening of Thursday, July 16, 1998.
From 1978 to 1998, he lived on Mount Athos, earning a reputation for his rigorous asceticism and spiritual struggle. Recognised as a spiritual father across Greece, he advocated fervently for the practice of the sacrament of confession. He was firm with himself and his spiritual children. Being the only Antiochian monk in the region earned him the title "Gate of Antioch", attracting pilgrims from the Patriarchates of Antioch, Jerusalem and Alexandria, as well as from the New World. Nonetheless, he occasionally undertook brief visits to Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and Syria.
In the early summer of 1998, Father Isaac suffered a severe health setback, forcing him to leave his kalyva in Mount Athos (a place he rarely left) and seek treatment in Thessaloniki. Sadly, his departure from this world was imminent. On July 16th, coinciding with the Feast of Saint Marina the Great Martyr, he departed for the heavenly abode after a blessed struggle, joining his spiritual father, Saint Elder Paisios of Mount Athos. He prayed ceaselessly, both on earth and in heaven, for the Church, particularly the Church of Antioch, which he fervently interceded for at the feet of the Theotokos.
Father Isaac was a beacon for the modern revival of Antiochian monasticism, leaving behind a wealth of treasures from the patristic tradition. Among his significant contributions are the Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian, the Ladder of Divine Ascent by Saint John Climacus, How to Live with God and Epistles by Saint Elder Paisios of Mount Athos, and the Psalms According to the Septuagint. Additionally, his sparse recordings, resonating with his solemn voice, reflect his unwavering steadfastness, profound inner depth, humility, and devoutness in prayerful chanting.
His Sayings
A monk should start with good steps. Otherwise, if evil thoughts invade his mind, they will fight him until the end.
A monk needs not only patience but also patience with mindfulness.
A monk is like a young child who clings to his mother despite crying whenever she scolds him. The more he is chastised, the more attached he becomes. This is how a monk should be. He should not distance himself from his spiritual father and should not be resentful if he is reproached or punished.
Read the Psalms because they’re rich in spiritual vitamins.
The Bible, the word of God, is spiritual nourishment. We should read and approach it with respect. And before reading, pray, make the sign of the cross, venerate the book, and then begin reading.
Let us have patience, courage, enthusiasm, boldness and faith in God's providence so that we can face trials.
It is imperative to go to church every Sunday, and if there is a serious reason preventing us from going, let us pray and meditate with our minds as if we were there.
Attending church seasonally is different from having a spiritual life, which requires effort, courage and a plan. Have therefore a plan in your life, for without one, we bear no fruit.
Obedience to a spiritual father is a fire that consumes the devil.