Elder Joseph of St. Nektarios Monastery Reposes in the Lord
Abp. Elpidophoros leads prayers as funeral arrangements are announced for longtime abbot and spiritual father.
ROSCOE, NY — Elder Joseph, abbot and founder of the St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Monastery, reposed in the Lord on the morning of April 17, 2026, at approximately 6:30 a.m., following a prolonged illness. This was announced by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
"It is with sorrow, yet with every hope in the Resurrection of our Lord, that we announce the falling asleep in the Lord of the ever-memorable Elder Joseph, Abbot and founder of the Holy Monastery of Saint Nektarios in New York, a spiritual child of the ever-memorable and saintly Elder Ephraim of Arizona," the Archdiocese stated.
The elder passed away peacefully at the monastery, surrounded by members of the monastic brotherhood and his spiritual children. His repose occurred on Bright Friday, the feast of the Life-Giving Spring, during the Paschal season.
In response to the news, Abp. Elpidophoros of America offered a Trisagion service at the Archdiocesan Chapel of the Holy Apostle Paul, praying for the repose of Elder Joseph’s soul. Following the service, the Archbishop reflected on the elder’s life and spiritual gifts, particularly his ministry in the Sacrament of Confession. He had visited the ailing elder on multiple occasions in recent weeks, including on Great and Holy Saturday.
Elder Joseph with Abp. Elpidophoros. Photo: Orthodox Observer
Funeral services have been scheduled for Monday, April 20, at 10:30 a.m. at the monastery’s katholikon. Earlier that morning, Abp. Elpidophoros will celebrate the Divine Liturgy for the repose of the elder’s soul. Burial will follow at the monastery cemetery.
Elder Joseph had served as abbot of the monastery since its founding in 1999, when he arrived with a group of monks from St. Anthony’s Monastery in Arizona. Originally from Philotheou Monastery, he came to the United States in 1993, where he became part of the monastic brotherhood established under Elder Ephraim.
Over nearly three decades, he became widely known as a spiritual father, guiding clergy and laity alike and playing a central role in the growth of Orthodox monastic life in North America.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Fr. Kyril of St. Tikhon's Monastery had fallen asleep in the Lord.
