Metropolitan Saba presides over 40-day memorial for Elder Joseph of St. Nektarios Monastery

Roscoe, NY, May 29, 2026

Photo: antiochian.org Photo: antiochian.org     

His Eminence Metropolitan Saba of the Antiochian Archdiocese presided at the memorial Trisagion for Elder Joseph of St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Monastery in Roscoe, New York on Thursday, May 27, marking the 40th day since the elder’s repose.

Met. Saba served at the invitation of Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The solemn service was also attended by Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos of GOARCH, reverend fathers, and monks who gathered to honor the memory of the departed abbot and his service to the Church and monastery, the Antiochian Archdiocese reports.

Photo: antiochian.org Photo: antiochian.org     

Elder Joseph founded St. Nektarios Monastery in 1999 and served as its abbot until his repose on Bright Friday, April 17, which coincided with the feast of the Life-giving Spring. The elder had battled cancer for many years before his passing.

Archimandrite Joseph had led the monastery for 27 years since its establishment by Elder Ephraim. He originally came to America from Philotheou Monastery on Mt. Athos in 1993, initially residing at St. Anthony’s Monastery in Arizona, which was also founded by Elder Ephraim. In January 1999, St. Nektarios Monastery was founded with seven brothers from St. Anthony’s, including Elder Joseph.

Thousands of faithful from the United States, Canada, and Greece attended his funeral at the monastery on April 20.

Photo: antiochian.org Photo: antiochian.org     

At the time of Elder Joseph’s repose, Metropolitan Saba wrote a tribute to his father confessor titled “May Your Humility Receive My Words, Elder Joseph.” In the tribute, he expressed his deep gratitude, writing: “O earthly angel, you were the greatest blessing God granted me after my coming to America. You were my greatest consolation in my new ministry.”

“We pray that the Lord grants Elder Joseph rest in the mansions of the righteous and the saints, where there is no pain, sorrow, or sighing, but life everlasting. May his memory be eternal,” the Antiochian Archdiocese’s report concludes.

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5/29/2026

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Thousands of faithful came to venerate the elder’s body and attend the funeral, traveling from the United States, Canada, and Greece. Geronda Joseph of St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Monastery in NY reposes in the Lord Geronda Joseph of St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Monastery in NY reposes in the Lord Geronda Joseph of St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Monastery in NY reposes in the Lord Geronda Joseph of St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Monastery in NY reposes in the Lord
The elder had been sick for many years with cancer.

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