"His soul will delight itself in good things"

Seventeen years were completed on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, since the repose of the blessed Elder Joseph of Vatopedi.

In the morning, a priestly co-liturgy was celebrated with the presiding priest of the Eucharistic Synaxis, the Abbot of the Vatopedi Orthodox Monastery, Elder Ephraim, with the participation of Vatopedi fathers and priests from various Metropolises.

After the Divine Liturgy, a Trisagion was celebrated at the site where the blessed Elder Joseph was buried, and then the established Altar was laid, during which Elder Ephraim referred to the blessed Elder Joseph, who was also the spiritual father of the Vatopedi Brotherhood.

Yesterday, Tuesday, June 30, 2026, a memorial service was held at the Vatopedi Monastery, at which the Abbot of the Monastery of Simonos Petras, Archimandrite Eliseos, presided, flanked by the Abbots of the Holy Monasteries of Hosios Gregory, Elder Christophoros, and Vatopedi, Elder Ephraim, while the Holy Monastery of Koutloumousi also sent a representative.

After the Holy Memorial, the established Athonite feast was served in the Great Synod of the Monastery, during which the aforementioned Elders spoke, extolling the personality, the sanctified life and the gifts of the blessed Elder Joseph of Vatopedi. Fr. Nikolaos Loudovikos also spoke about the blessed Elder Joseph.