Joseph the Hesychast

Description

Saint Joseph the Hesychast (Greek: Άγιος Ιωσήφ ο Ησυχαστής; born Francis Kottis, Greek: Φραγκίσκος Κόττης; February 12, 1897 – August 15, 1959) was a Greek Orthodox monk and elder who led a small group of monks at Mount Athos. He was canonized as a saint by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in 2020. His annual feast is celebrated on August 16.

He was born Frangiskos (Francis) Kottis (Greek: Φραγκίσκος Κόττης) on 12 February 1897 in Lefkes, a village on the Greek Aegean island of Paros. His parents were Georgios and Maria Kottis. He was the third of seven children in his family. When he was a child, Francis’ father died, leaving his mother Maria had to care for the family. Until his teenage years, he remained in the village, helping his mother and his family with various tasks for a living. He attended school until second grade. He also served in the Greek Navy. At approximately the age of 23, he worked as a vendor in Piraeus and Athens. While in Athens, he began to read about the lives of saints and ascetics. On Mount Penteli, he would stay up all night praying in caves or even on trees, similar to the medieval anchorites and stylites. Afterwards, he went to Mount Athos to become a monk.