Blessed Elder Joseph of Vatopaidi (July 1, 1929 - July 1, 2009)1 July 2009
The Holy Great Monastery of Vatopaidi on Mount Athos today mourns the dormition of our Elder Joseph of Vatopaidi, one of the few remaining true Athonite elders who reposed this morning at 2:30, July 1, 2009. The Elder was born on July 1, 1921, on the celebration of the Holy Anargyroi (Saints Kosmas and Damian). After the dormition of his Elder, Joseph the Hesychast, he left the Skete where he lived and went to the Skete of the Holy Anargyroi. St Kosmas and St Damian were those who protected him throughout his life and those who chose to take him with them on the day of their celebration.
The funeral rite will be held at 18:00 today at the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopaidi.
MAY HIS MEMORY BE ETERNAL
[I will be posting more on this great contemporary Elder of our Church over the next few days - J.S.]