Istanbul, March 10, 2020
The great 20th-century Athonite spiritual fathers Elder Joseph the Hesychast and Elders Daniel and Ephraim of Katounakia were officially added to the calendar of saints of the Orthodox Church by the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople yesterday, March 9, reports the Vatopedi-run website the Ascetic Experience.
“These saints have shown that zeal and prayer come and are preserved through the unity of the brotherhood around the abbot, achieved through the earnest and loving obedience of each member of the brotherhood,” writes the Ascetic Experience.
Their official glorification comes after an unofficial announcement made by Patriarch Bartholomew while visiting the Holy Mountain in October. The glorification of Elder Ieronymos of Simenopetra was also announced at that time, who was officially added to the calendar on November 27 together with Elder Sophrony of Essex.
St. Joseph the Hesychast reposed on the day of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos and will be commemorated each year the day after, on August 16/29.
St. Ephraim of Katounakia reposed on the Saturday of the Ascetic Saints, the last Saturday before Great Lent), “so it is very likely that he will be celebrated with Saint Ephraim the Syrian,” according to the Ascetic Experience.
St. Daniel of Katounakia reposed on the feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, and his brotherhood asked for him to be celebrated on the Holy Mountain the day before, September 7/20.
The foundation of a future Church of St. Joseph the Hesychast was laid in Madagascar in December.
