Roscoe, New York, April 22, 2026
Orthodox Observer
The funeral and burial of Archimandrite Joseph, founder and abbot of St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Monastery in Roscoe, New York, took place on Monday, April 20, at the monastery.
Geronda Joseph reposed in the Lord on April 17, Bright Friday, after many years of illness with cancer. He served as the abbot of St. Nektarios Monatery since its establishment in January 1999.
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over the Divine Liturgy, funeral service, and burial. Concelebrating were Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, Bishops Athenagoras of Nazianzos and Nektarios of Diokleia, abbots of men’s monasteries in America, and the monastery’s two hieromonks. Archbishop Demetrios, formerly of America, was also present, reports the Orthodox Observer.
Thousands of faithful came to venerate the elder’s body and attend the funeral, traveling from the United States, Canada, and Greece. Among them were Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, numerous clergy, abbesses of women’s monasteries in America and Canada, monks and nuns, and the elder’s family, including his two brothers. The burial took place in the monastery cemetery, followed by a meal for those gathered.
In his eulogy, Archbishop Elpidophoros highlighted Geronda Joseph’s spiritual journey and contributions to monasticism in America. The elder was born into a pious priestly family and, despite excelling in higher education, felt called to something greater and departed for Mount Athos, where he attached himself to Elder Ephraim at Philotheou Monastery.
In 1993, he was among the first monastics sent by Elder Ephraim to North America, bringing the sacred seed of Athonite monasticism to the continent. After years of spiritual labor in Canada and Arizona, he came to New York and founded St. Nektarios Monastery in January 1999 with the blessing of Archbishop Spyridon. The monastery began with seven brothers from St. Anthony’s Monastery in Arizona.
“What was once a seed, watered by exile, blossomed through martyr-like humility and perfect obedience, and now bears abundant fruit,” the Archbishop said in his eulogy.
Orthodox Observer
The monastery has since grown to a brotherhood of more than twenty monks. Abp. Elpidophoros described it as a place that became “a place of rest for the burdened, a refuge for the brokenhearted, a sacred space where countless souls found healing and guidance.”
Central to Geronda Joseph’s ministry was the Sacrament of Confession. The Archbishop noted that as a spiritual father, he “devoted countless hours to receiving those who came to him burdened with sorrow, darkness of mind, and the many wounds of life,” serving as “a true physician of souls… As a good spiritual father, he did not emphasize people’s failures, but rather the boundless mercy of God.”
In recent times, Geronda Joseph bore illness with patience and faith, and this year lived his own Holy Week in the hospital, where he was united with the Passion of the Lord, the head of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese said.
The Archbishop visited him on Holy Saturday evening along with Bishop Athenagoras and other clergy. “Though he lay upon his bed of illness, his spirit was radiant,” he recalled. “He spoke as one who did not fear death, but who believed in the Resurrection.”
Addressing the monastery’s brotherhood, Archbishop Elpidophoros urged them to continue the Elder’s sacred work of prayer, obedience, and hospitality.
“Your Elder has not departed from you. He is always near you,” Abp. Elpidophoros told the monks. “His prayers will accompany you. His blessing will guide you. His love will sustain you.”
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