Venerable Joseph the Hesychast

Venerable Joseph the Hesychast (born Frangiskos Kottis) was born November 2, 1897, on Paros, Greece. In 1921 he withdrew to Mount Athos, devoting himself to austere hermitic struggle — the Jesus Prayer, fasting, silence — in caves and remote sketes (Katounakia, Small St. Anne's, New Skete). A brotherhood gathered around him, receiving the living tradition of hesychasm; his spiritual children included future renowned Athonite elders who revived monastic life on Athos in the later 20th century (Elder Ephraim of Philotheou, Charalampos of Dionysiou, Joseph of Vatopedi, among others). He was noted for unceasing prayer and profound mystical experience, recorded in his surviving letters. He reposed August 15/28, 1959, the feast of the Dormition. Glorified by the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on March 9, 2020.