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My Elder Joseph the Hesychast
"Elder Joseph was a poor hermit who lived in caves far from society, yet he became one of the Orthodox Church's most influential figures of the twentieth century by kindling a revival of the Jesus prayer. He was an exceptional phenomenon in these contemporary days of spiritual poverty, and his life emits the fragrance of sanctity. The providence of God arranges that there will be such heroes in every generation so that there will always be inspiring examples." - Elder Ephraim
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This is the most complete biography of Elder Joseph the Hesychast, one of the most important figures of Athonite monasticism in the twentieth century. The book presents previously unpublished stories about Elder Joseph’s brotherhood and his other spiritual children, his spiritual counsels, struggles, and miracles after his holy repose. Includes B/W and color photographs.
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This is the most complete biography of Elder Joseph the Hesychast, one of the most important figures of Athonite monasticism in the twentieth century. The book presents previously unpublished stories about Elder Joseph’s brotherhood and his other spiritual children, his spiritual counsels, struggles, and miracles after his holy repose. Includes B/W and color photographs.
705 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 28, 2020
Wow. Wow.
What a spiritual giant, and what a thorough account of his life and his teachings.
Two great things I can take away from this:
1. Say the Jesus Prayer. Say it so many times. Say it all the time.
2. Find a good spiritual elder, and always, always, always be obedient to him.
What more can be said than that?
What a spiritual giant, and what a thorough account of his life and his teachings.
Two great things I can take away from this:
1. Say the Jesus Prayer. Say it so many times. Say it all the time.
2. Find a good spiritual elder, and always, always, always be obedient to him.
What more can be said than that?
March 23, 2021
I chose Elder Joseph as my patron saint after reading this. That’s my review
February 10, 2016
A beautiful book about life and death in the hesychast tradition of Mount Athos. Geronda Joseph is an inspiration. A book anyone who loves Orthodox Christian monasticism should read, highly recommended for those considering the life. Recommended to me by my daughter.
June 6, 2020
Εξαιρετικό!!! Δεν έχω λόγια για να περιγράψω...σε ηχητική απόδοση από την pemptousia.gr
September 12, 2023
I couldn’t put this wonderful book down. It was both compelling and convicting in equal measure to read about the great asceticism of Saint Joseph. At the heart of his testimony is the virtue of humility. How did he get humility? By obedience. His love for his disciples and refusal to speak idly to anyone as to avoid accidental gossip or judgement, was really powerful. This man kept the Jesus prayer in his heart unceasingly, endured endless spiritual warfare, and discipled many to salvation.
One part that truly stood out to me is when Elder Joseph wanted to avenge a fellow monk being mistreated. He takes his anger to the icon of the Panagia and asks her to give him strength to overtake the men antagonizing his friend. Instead she changes his heart and he weeps before her until he is completely calm and can defend his friend with charity. His reliance on the blessed Virgin is beautiful and made me love her more. He said of her, “Our Panagia is the mother of mercy, the fountain of goodness, and her grace anticipates everywhere. As soon as you open your mouth to call her, she hastens as a true mother. Therefore, don’t hesitate to call upon her at every moment, and you will find her an unmercenary helper and physician in your afflictions.”
St. Joseph constantly wept over his sin, and viewed the ability to weep over one’s sin essential to achieving a noetic prayer life and sanctification. He would weep for hours over his own sin, yet was quick to forgive the sins of others. He also highly emphasized total submission to spiritual elders and the grace that flows out of that.
His extreme aestheticism shows us the spiritual heights we may reach when we rid ourselves of pride and comfort. As John 3:30 says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
What a treasure trove of a book; truly edifying and inspiring! His story will change you whether you like it or not.
One part that truly stood out to me is when Elder Joseph wanted to avenge a fellow monk being mistreated. He takes his anger to the icon of the Panagia and asks her to give him strength to overtake the men antagonizing his friend. Instead she changes his heart and he weeps before her until he is completely calm and can defend his friend with charity. His reliance on the blessed Virgin is beautiful and made me love her more. He said of her, “Our Panagia is the mother of mercy, the fountain of goodness, and her grace anticipates everywhere. As soon as you open your mouth to call her, she hastens as a true mother. Therefore, don’t hesitate to call upon her at every moment, and you will find her an unmercenary helper and physician in your afflictions.”
St. Joseph constantly wept over his sin, and viewed the ability to weep over one’s sin essential to achieving a noetic prayer life and sanctification. He would weep for hours over his own sin, yet was quick to forgive the sins of others. He also highly emphasized total submission to spiritual elders and the grace that flows out of that.
His extreme aestheticism shows us the spiritual heights we may reach when we rid ourselves of pride and comfort. As John 3:30 says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
What a treasure trove of a book; truly edifying and inspiring! His story will change you whether you like it or not.
October 10, 2023
Irrespective of your religious views, this book is a great read that gives you a glimpse into the world of early-mid 20th century Athonite monasticism and of the "outsider" that reformed it. While hagiographic in tone (after all Elder Ephraim clearly thought his Elder was a saint and argues for it throughout the book), the book gives a rather balanced view of Elder Joseph, recounting many examples of him changing his mind (e.g., with respect to medical care, nutrition, abode, or the extremism of the Old Calendarist zealot faction). His asceticism would seem extreme to secular ears, but his unusual life doubtlessly had an impact. At the very least this is an example of a man who went all-in for his beliefs and we should be thankful to Elder Ephraim for this detailed portrait of his master.
July 6, 2022
The most impactful book I've read so far in 2022, and I think that's because it wasn't easy. The kind of ascesis practiced by St. Joseph and his spiritual children is beyond anything we modern westerners can conceive of in our luxury and comfort. What was most striking of all was that St. Joseph chose his ascesis out of his love for Christ. Those who would make such a choice are rare indeed.
November 4, 2023
One of my FAVORITE BOOKS!!! St. Joseph the Hesychast is such an inspiration and a wonderful saint! Elder Ephraim, his spiritual child that wrote this book, was full of Grace when writing about his elder. I had tears streaming down my face and such joy in my heart throughout the time I read this book. A must read for everyone.
November 4, 2017
Riveting
I did not want to stop reading. I was amazed at the depth of acesis Elder Joseph performed and his strength and wisdom.
I did not want to stop reading. I was amazed at the depth of acesis Elder Joseph performed and his strength and wisdom.
April 26, 2019
At least i now can claim what true faith and, potentially, even holiness is like.
Quite moving.
Quite moving.
Read
January 3, 2020A life changing book. Highly recommended!
June 3, 2024
The lives of the saints are the best argument against cessationism and every other stupid Protestant doctrine.
January 14, 2025
Elder Joseph was a monumetal man, and as a cradle Christian, I must thank him greatly for revealing to me a new and altogether higher approach to faith which I have never considered before.
October 6, 2025
Πολύ όμορφο και πνευματικό βιβλίο. Νιώθεις τη Χάρη του γέροντα μέσα από αυτές τις σελίδες και σε εμπνέει για πνευματική ζωή και αγώνα
April 1, 2014
I picked this as my Lenten reading. It was so engaging that I'm done with it only halfway through Lent. Maybe I should just read it again.
Elder Joseph the Hesychast lived an extremely ascetic life of inward prayer on Mount Athos, and gathered around him a small group of disciples who eventually went on to power the dramatic revival of monasticism on Mount Athos in the twentieth century. The author of this book, Elder Ephraim, is one of those disciples, and is now the abbot of St Anthony's Monastery in Arizona, bringing the revival of Orthodox prayer life even to North America.
The description of the disciplines to which the Elder submitted himself (and subjected his followers) can be as harrowing as it is inspiring: eating only enough to stay alive, keeping all-night prayer vigil every night, barely sleeping. This is balanced by clear descriptions of the fruits of this life: constant prayer and closeness to God.
Elder Ephraim is an engaging story-teller, and often surprisingly humorous. (There's a wonderful story of Elder Arsenios ordering a meal in a restaurant, then being confused when he was asked to pay: he was so innocent of even the concept of commerce that he thought restaurants were run by kind people who just like to feed their brethren.) He writes frankly that some of the extremes of asceticism practiced by his synodia were harmful and even dangerous. At the same time he says that no one else has reached the heights of noetic prayer that they experienced.
Accounts of the heights of spiritual life like this one have a mixed effect on me. I always feel inspired and challenged; at the same time I'm tempted to feel shamed and discouraged at my own meager efforts at devotion. This book, perhaps because it's so lively and personal, is an especially vivid example.
There will not soon be another like Elder Joseph. I'd recommend this to any Christian, especially any Orthodox Christian, who can handle a very forceful call to abandon ourselves further to God.
Elder Joseph the Hesychast lived an extremely ascetic life of inward prayer on Mount Athos, and gathered around him a small group of disciples who eventually went on to power the dramatic revival of monasticism on Mount Athos in the twentieth century. The author of this book, Elder Ephraim, is one of those disciples, and is now the abbot of St Anthony's Monastery in Arizona, bringing the revival of Orthodox prayer life even to North America.
The description of the disciplines to which the Elder submitted himself (and subjected his followers) can be as harrowing as it is inspiring: eating only enough to stay alive, keeping all-night prayer vigil every night, barely sleeping. This is balanced by clear descriptions of the fruits of this life: constant prayer and closeness to God.
Elder Ephraim is an engaging story-teller, and often surprisingly humorous. (There's a wonderful story of Elder Arsenios ordering a meal in a restaurant, then being confused when he was asked to pay: he was so innocent of even the concept of commerce that he thought restaurants were run by kind people who just like to feed their brethren.) He writes frankly that some of the extremes of asceticism practiced by his synodia were harmful and even dangerous. At the same time he says that no one else has reached the heights of noetic prayer that they experienced.
Accounts of the heights of spiritual life like this one have a mixed effect on me. I always feel inspired and challenged; at the same time I'm tempted to feel shamed and discouraged at my own meager efforts at devotion. This book, perhaps because it's so lively and personal, is an especially vivid example.
There will not soon be another like Elder Joseph. I'd recommend this to any Christian, especially any Orthodox Christian, who can handle a very forceful call to abandon ourselves further to God.
January 5, 2022
Elder Joseph was a Hesychastic monk during an especially fallow period of Athonite spirituality. Through his ascetic labors he was found worthy of receiving much grace, which he transmitted to his disciples. After his death, his disciples left, founded brotherhoods of their own, and eventually repopulated the monasteries of Mt Athos and rejuvenated Athonite spirituality. He was not the only one, of course; there were others like St. Silouan and other venerated spiritual elders. But Elder Joseph was perhaps the greatest of them all.
October 10, 2023
“The devil hates Geronda. Why doesn't the devil swear at people who have diplomas and theological degrees, but instead he has it in for this unlettered old man who lived in obscurity? Because Geronda is the one who fought him and burned him with his prayer” (p. 658).
September 23, 2025
An amazing book! One of my favorites.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews