Florence, Arizona, December 9, 2019
The funeral service and burial for the newly-reposed Elder Ephraim of Philotheou and Arizona is expected to be held on Wednesday, December 11 at 1:00 PM, reports the Orthodoxia News Agency.
Photo: orthodoxianewsagency.gr
Monks and nuns from the many monasteries he founded throughout America and Canada and many of his spiritual children have already begun visiting St. Anthony’s to pay their respects and bid farewell to their elder.
Mystagogy reports about his repose:
December 7th 2019, the much-beloved Elder Ephraim of Arizona reposed in the Lord after being ill for many years. According to reports, Elder Ephraim was aware of his impending death some days before, and despite this he would still daily go out and give his blessing to the people. His personal doctor told him to not go out Saturday evening, the day of his repose, to bless the people. Elder Ephraim was lucid on the day of his repose and partook of the Immaculate Mysteries. Then at 9:00pm (Mountain Standard Time), as he was upright occupied with something, he suddenly tilted slightly to the side and died. Nurses found him practically upright, having delivered his spirit to the Lord.
Photo: orthodoxianewsagency.gr
Hear Elder Ephraim chanting in the video below:
The video below includes many wonderful pictures of the Elder and audio of him speaking:
For more on Elder Ephraim, see our article, “Catch a Fire: An Athonite Missionary to America.”