09.02.2026
Elder Ephraim of Vatopedi: "from the early years of the Church, life in Christ has always been handed down"
04.02.2026
Awards for families with many children from the Vatopedi Religious Institute in Alexandroupolis
The memory of the Holy and God-bearing Father Joseph the Hesychast is celebrated on August 16, according to the old calendar, on Mount Athos, by transfer, as Saint Joseph fell asleep in death on August 15, the day of the Theotokos' feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos. In the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi, the Brotherhood of which originates from the roots of Saint Joseph the Hesychast, as the blessed Elder Joseph of Vatopedi was a member of the Holy Father's entourage, the feast was celebrated according to the ecclesiastical order and the Athonite tradition.
The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was presided over by the Metropolitan of Patras, Mr. Chrysostomos, who, after the reading of the Gospel, read the Patriarchal and Synodal Moderation (letter of forgiveness) for deceased brothers of the Monastery. His Eminence was accompanied by the Metropolitans of Nea Krina and Kalamaria, Mr. Justinos, and of Ireland, Mr. Iakovos, as well as the Bishops of Eumenia, Mr. Irinaios, and of Znepoleos, Mr. Meletios. After the Divine Liturgy, refreshments and speeches on the spiritual radiance and legacy of Saint Joseph the Hesychast followed in the Synodical Council of the Monastery.
According to the ecclesiastical order and according to the Athonite tradition, the memory of the Holy and God-bearing Joseph the Hesychast was celebrated, with the old calendar, in the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi, the Brotherhood of which comes from the root of Saint Joseph the Hesychast, as the blessed Elder Joseph of Vatopedi was a member of the Holy Father's entourage.
The Divine Liturgy was presided over by the Metropolitan of Patras, Mr. Chrysostomos, who, after the reading of the Gospel, read the Patriarchal and Synodal Letter of Forgiveness for the deceased brothers of the Monastery. His Eminence was accompanied by the Metropolitans of Nea Krini and Kalamaria, Mr. Justinos, and of Ireland, Mr. Iakovos, as well as the Bishops of Eumenia, Mr. Irinaios, and of Znepoleos, Mr. Meletios.
The service was also attended by the Abbot of the Monastery, Elder Ephraim, the Protosyngelos of the Holy Metropolis of Patras, Archimandrite Artemios Argyropoulos, the Protosyngelos of the Holy Metropolis of Nea Ionia, Archimandrite Epiphanios Arvanitis, the Protosyngelos of the Holy Metropolis of Hydra, Spetses and Aegina, Archimandrite Nektarios Dardanos, as well as a multitude of priests and fathers of the Athonite State and the Metropolises both in Greece and abroad.
In a climate of sacred devotion, the feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos was celebrated, according to the old calendar, in the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi. During the festive Vespers, the traditional Athonite feast was served in the Synodical Hall of the Monastery. There, Elder Ephraim addressed the Most Reverend Bishops with warm words, expressing the joy and gratitude of the brotherhood of the Monastery for their presence at the great feast. In response, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras delivered a Mother of God speech, referring to the person of the Most Holy Theotokos and the special place she holds in the life of the Church and in the hearts of the faithful. The Holy Services were attended by His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios, formerly of Atlas, His Eminence Metropolitan of Ireland, His Eminence Iakovos, His Eminence Bishop of Eumenia, His Eminence Irineos, as well as officers of the army, the coast guard, the navy and the fire department.
09.02.2026
Elder Ephraim of Vatopedi: "from the early years of the Church, life in Christ has always been handed down"
04.02.2026
Awards for families with many children from the Vatopedi Religious Institute in Alexandroupolis










