Saint Joseph the Hesychast + Commemorated on August 16
Saint Joseph the Hesychast was a monk and elder on Mount Athos. He reposed in 1959, and he has wide acclaim for being the spiritual father or grandfather of Elders Ephrem of Philotheou, Joseph of Vatopedi, Charalampus of Dionysiou and others, who are directly credited for revitalising six of the twenty monasteries on Mount Athos. His memory is commemorated on August 16.
Blessed Elder Ephraim of Arizona + Commemorated on December 7
Elder Archimandrite Ephraim (Moraitis) (born Ioannis Moraitis) (June 24, 1927 - December 7th, 2019) was an archimandrite and former abbot of Philotheou Monastery on Mount Athos, spiritual guide of several monasteries on Mount Athos and Greece, and the founder of several monasteries in the United States. He labored in Arizona at St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery. Elder Ephraim was a hieromonk for 71 years and an elder for more than 50 years. He was a disciple of Saint Joseph the Hesychast of Mount Athos and lived in monastic obedience to him for 12 years until the saint's repose in 1959. Elder Ephraim wrote many books on his experiences and homilies of Saint Joseph.
Gerontissa Macrina of Portaria + Commemorated on December 7
Macrina of Portaria, also known as Elder Macrina, (1921-1995) was a nun, hegumen, and monastery founder. A disciple and friend of Ephraim of Arizona and Joseph the Hesychast, she is credited with several miracles according to Eastern Orthodox hagiographical accounts about her. Macrina founded the Monastery of Panagia Hodigitria of Portaria in 1963 and distinguished herself as an hegumen and spiritual mother. Throughout her monastic career, she received numerous visitors seeking her spiritual guidance, including Iakovos of Evia. She gained a certain notoriety during her lifetime and died within the community she had established.
