Metr. Saba Presides at 40-Day Memorial for Elder Joseph
Orthodox hierarchs and monastics gathered in prayer to honor the enduring spiritual legacy of Elder Joseph forty days after his repose.
ROSCOE, NY — Metr. Saba of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America presided over a memorial service marking the fortieth day since the repose of Elder Joseph, founder and longtime abbot of St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Monastery in Roscoe, New York.
The Trisagion service took place May 27 at the monastery and was celebrated at the invitation of Abp. Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Clergy, monastics, and faithful gathered in prayer to commemorate Elder Joseph’s life and spiritual legacy within Orthodox monasticism and the broader Church.
Also participating in the service was Bp. Athenagoras of Nazianzos, alongside numerous priests and monks. Elder Joseph founded St. Nektarios Monastery in 1999 and served as its abbot for more than two decades, helping establish the monastery as a significant spiritual center for Orthodox faithful in the region.
Following the elder’s repose, Metr. Saba published a written tribute honoring him as both a spiritual father and source of encouragement after his arrival in the United States. In the reflection, the Metropolitan described Elder Joseph as “the greatest blessing God granted me” in his ministry and praised his humility and pastoral guidance.
The memorial service concluded with prayers for the repose of Elder Joseph’s soul and remembrance of his enduring contribution to the spiritual life of the monastery and Orthodox faithful who knew him.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Warren Farha, beloved Orthodox Christian bookseller, reposed at 70.
