"Save me, God!".
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Saint Joasaph of Belgorod is very famous for his miraculous healings; many people found peace of mind and faith in a bright future. He helped many people recover from complex illnesses, restoring the opportunity to enjoy the positive moments of life again, to be happy and cheerful. Even a simple prayer to Saint Joasaph is very effective and there are numerous facts of complete recovery and finding harmony with oneself and the outside world. People like this saint are very unique; they were only able to develop, improve and give knowledge to all people by sincerely believing and adhering to all the advice.
short biography
The saint was born on September 9, 1705 - on the Nativity of the Mother of God. He was named Joachim in honor of the father of the Virgin Mary. It was as if the Mother of God had taken the boy under her protection. Later, She appeared to his father in a vision to inform him of Joachim’s sacred destiny - serving God and people.
Origin
The Gorlenko family, into which the future Bishop of Belgorod was born, is an ancient Little Russian family. His ancestors lived in the Zaporozhye Sich. Relatives who lived on Polish territory, along the Dnieper River, actively supported Orthodoxy and built churches. In the 17th century, the Gorlenko family was ranked among the Russian nobles.
Family
Joachim's father is Andrei Dimitrievich Gorlenko, standard-bearer of Hetman Danila the Apostol. Mother - Maria, daughter of the hetman. Both were religious people, kept fasts, lived by the commandments, and were engaged in charity. The paternal grandfather, Dimitri, built two churches - in honor of Nicholas the Wonderworker and the apostles Peter and Paul.
Education
The parents wanted to transfer the management of the estates and titles to their son. They did not expect that he would want to leave worldly life. At the age of 8, Joachim’s parents sent him to study at the Kyiv Academy, where the boy studied literature.
Choosing a life path and taking tonsure
Raised in Christian traditions, the young man was imbued with a pious and spiritual way of life. Studying in Kyiv contributed to this. The Academy supported Orthodoxy and opposed the Roman Catholic Church. Joachim spent a lot of time with the monks of the Kiev Pechersk Monastery. He decided to take monastic vows, but could not tell his parents about it.
Leaving as if to study, he secretly spent 2 years in the Kiev-Mezhigorsky Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery. The young novice secluded himself in a cave, observed strict fasting and prayed. The deception was hidden thanks to a faithful servant. At the age of 21, Joachim became a monk under the name Hilarion. He also conveyed the news of the tonsure and requests for forgiveness to his parents through an assistant. At the age of 22, the monk Hilarion, for his strict asceticism, was tonsured into the mantle in the Kiev Brotherhood Monastery under the name of the Indian prince Joasaph.
Acquiring ordination and appointment as abbot
The Kyiv Archbishop ordained the monk Joasaph to the rank of hierodeacon. Having received the obedience of the teacher, the future saint taught science to students at the Kyiv Academy for three years. The new archbishop, the ascetic Rafail Zborovsky, noticed the spiritual talent of the young hierodeacon and took him under his protection. The Archbishop entrusted Joasaph with collecting donations for the renovation of the Academy buildings, and he traveled all over Little Russia. Having accepted the rank of hieromonk with the blessing of his patron, Joasaph served as a shepherd at the Kiev Fraternal and Kiev St. Sophia Cathedrals, and was also a member of the Kyiv Spiritual Consistory.
The humility and hard work of the hieromonk and shepherd was again appreciated by Archbishop Zborovsky and appointed Joasaph as abbot of the Lubensko-Mgarsky Transfiguration Monastery. The 30-year-old ascetic did not want to accept a difficult position, since he had to manage the Lubensk and Krasnogorsk monasteries and several churches. Extreme humility forced him to agree and fulfill the wide range of duties of the abbot. But his hard work, care and mercy entered the chronicles of the large monastery. The abbot spent a lot of effort on restoring the destroyed buildings, although his health was already undermined.
Belgorod diocese
The tireless servant Joasaph was chosen to replace the deceased Metropolitan of Belgorod from the list of applicants. He began his service as archpastor with the Divine Liturgy, which he served immediately upon his arrival in Belgorod. For the sick and road-weary Joasaph, this was a feat. Overcoming the weakness of the body, humility before God's Will, love for parishioners and diligence marked his work in the Belgorod diocese.
The new metropolitan took up the education of poor peasants and orphans, the spiritual education of the flock and subordinate pastors. Saint Joasaph himself toured the domains entrusted to him.
The archpastor was merciful to the poor. On holidays, he secretly gave money and clothes to needy families by sending a servant. He left gifts at the doors of homes and left unnoticed.
Details of the life of the saint
Interesting facts from the life of St. Joasaph:
- while working at the Lubensky monastery, Patriarch Athanasius of Constantinople appeared to him twice and expressed approval;
- Collecting taxes for the improvement of churches, Abbot Joasaph reached St. Petersburg, where he received the favor of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna and a donation from her of 2,000 rubles.
- at her command, he became archimandrite and rector of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra;
- Saint Joasaph led a modest life, ate sparingly, and avoided amusements. During feasts at my parents’ house, I sat separately from the guests and ate bread crusts. Traveling around the Belgorod estates, he stayed in the houses of ordinary peasants, refusing comfortable and rich apartments;
- The Bishop of Belgorod cultivated reverence for shrines and church services in his subordinate clergy. He monitored their spiritual purity and drew up special rules. One of them is the prohibition of holding a service if the priest and the deacon are in a quarrel;
- asceticism and asceticism contributed to the high development of the spirit and vision of Saint Joasaph. With the help of God's revelations, he many times revealed violations of discipline by ministers and their careless handling of the Sacred Gifts and icons;
- Metropolitan of Belgorod defended his pastors from the unfair and willful attitude of the landowners, without fear of their anger or revenge. Thus, he returned the position to the clerk, whom the manager of the princely estate had arbitrarily expelled from the village church. Otherwise, the saint threatened to leave the village without a church. Saint Joasaph never became a hypocrite before titles and nobility;
- Thanks to his highly developed spiritual perception, frequent visions and premonitions, Saint Joasaph became famous as a miracle worker. According to the revelation of the Mother of God, the archpastor found Her icon in the Ascension Church in the city of Izyum. It served as a screen for coal in the vestibule. Nowadays the image is known as the miraculous Peschanskaya Icon of the Mother of God.
In life, Saint Joasaph was easy to communicate with and treated people with warmth. External severity reflected moral purity. The Bishop of Belgorod was not afraid of the opinion of the world, and did not strive to earn its favor. God, duty and truth came first for him.
Illness and death
Before his death, Saint Joasaph went to see his parents in Priluki. Leaving Belgorod, he said goodbye to his flock, blessed everyone and said that he would not return. The meeting with my father was respectful and reverent. On the way back, the archpastor fell ill. He spent two months in the village of Gayvoron, bedridden. Saint Joasaph reposed on December 10, 1754 at the age of 49.
Imperishable relics
The saint's body was sent to Belgorod. For more than two months it was in the Holy Trinity Cathedral in an open coffin without signs of decomposition. Later, the body of Saint Joasaph was placed in a crypt. Even two years later, his relics remained incorrupt.
Honor and glorification
At numerous requests from the laity and clergy, the Holy Synod, with the consent of Nicholas II, canonized Saint Joasaph in 1910. The Synod commission included Prince Zhevakhov, who compiled a monograph in three volumes about the life of the saint and later took monastic vows in his honor.
Life of Joasaph of Belgorod
He was born in 1705 in the Poltava region, in the family of a nobleman. His birthday coincided with a great church holiday - the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This was probably not a coincidence, but influenced his future life.
- The boy was brought up in a deeply religious family, where fasts were strictly adhered to and all holidays were celebrated according to the ritual.
- Thus, by the age of eleven, the young guy was already ripe to become a monk and connect his whole life with it, but he was very afraid to tell his parents about it.
- When he turned 18, Joasaph finally renounced worldly life and accepted monasticism, and, knowing that this news would greatly upset his parents, he decided to leave a servant in the apartment in order to send letters through him and maintain contact with his parents.
Over thirty years of work for the benefit of the church, Joasaph accomplished a lot:
- Served as rector of the Holy Transfiguration Monastery of Mgara;
- He was the vicar of the Holy Trinity Lavra;
- Bishop of the Belgorod Monastery.
And no matter what position he held, everywhere he strictly monitored the condition of churches, the moral qualities of priests, the correct conduct of services, in accordance with church canons, and the education of priests.
Iconography
The masters took portraits that were painted during the life and after the death of St. Joasaph as the basis for the icons.
Icon painters depict the bishop from the waist up and to his full height, in an omophorion with a miter or in the robes of a bishop, but always holding a staff.
Images painted before canonization are called portrait-icons. Joasaph is dressed in church ceremonial clothes, holds a staff, and sometimes a cross, but there is no halo above his head. After his canonization, Saint Joasaph began to be depicted in funeral vestments, preserved on the relics. Modern images of the saint can be seen in Belgorod churches. The icon in the Transfiguration Cathedral depicts the young Joachim and an angel bestowing upon him the mantle of a bishop. A plot taken from life is also known: the reconciliation of a priest and the patron angel of the church with the assistance of Archpastor Joasaph.
Icon of Joasaph of Belgorod
The icon depicts the face of a saint. It is extremely popular to this day. Many people buy it in temples to protect children from illness and the entire home from negative thoughts of strangers. It is better to hang it directly in your children’s rooms in a visible place.
The best article for you, go to: Icon of the Holy Righteous John of Kronstadt, meaning and what it helps with
Saint Joasaph of Belgorod tirelessly continued to work and serve God, because he felt that people needed him, his advice inspired and gave hope, and it was he who should carry this knowledge to the clergy and believers. In his daily prayers, he glorified the Almighty, asked for health of parishioners and stability in the state.
When people feel completely safe, their level of trust will increase and they will be willing to work hard to achieve their goals. Every day, working hard on himself, overcoming difficulties, the saint did not change his unconditional love for God and glorified this with good deeds.
What can you ask a saint for?
St. Joasaph is the patron saint of church ministers, missionaries and students. It helps to overcome vices and earthly passions. The saint is a protector and healer of children. Mother's prayers to him heal children's congenital defects and intractable diseases.
About help at work
The tireless worker Joasaph helps organizers and leaders. It is useful to read prayers to the saint for those who are looking for a job, want to make a career or develop a business. But you need to work hard and honestly.
In financial difficulties
The patron saint of the poor, Saint Joasaph, will come to the aid of people in great material need. Money may be required for treatment, education, purchase of property, or payment of debt. In any situation when you need a large amount of money, you can pray to St. Joasaph. Help will come from an unexpected direction.
About help in getting rid of harmful passions and habits
The Archbishop of Belgorod waged a struggle against the flesh all his life and achieved spiritual insight. Prayer to the saint will help awaken the strength of the spirit, get rid of alcohol, drug, tobacco addiction and any habits that destroy a person.
In raising children
Parents can pray to the saint that their children grow up obedient and study well. It will help you find a common language with teenagers, show rigor, fairness and sensitivity.
About sending down patience
Patience is required in dealing with children and adults, in overcoming life circumstances. People who feel the sin of anger can pray to Saint Joasaph.
Childhood. Youth. Spiritual maturation
In Epiphany - Joachim, belonged to the illustrious Gorlenko family, known throughout Little Russia.
Joachim came from the Poltava province (Pryluki town), born on September 8, 1705.
His father, Andrei Dimitrievich, was a military man and rose to the rank of colonel. Both he himself and his wife, Maria Danilovna, were pious and God-fearing people. Planning the future of their son, the couple wanted him to inherit noble estates and follow in his father's footsteps. But Divine Providence outlined a different path for him.
When Joachim was a child, the Lord revealed His will for the boy through his father. Once, sitting on the porch, he saw the Virgin Mary in the rays of the sunset. The Most Pure Virgin stood in the air, She was accompanied by an angel, and Joachim was at Her feet. He knelt before Her and prayed heartily. Then the Mother of God announced that his prayer had been heard. At that very moment, a Heavenly angel flew down and clothed Joachim in the mantle of a bishop. Stunned by this turn of events, the father suddenly asked the Lady, what does She leave for them, the parents? He did not hear an answer.
Joachim was brought up in the fear of God and Christian love. The time came, and his parents, despite the sadness of the upcoming separation, sent him to study at the Kyiv Academy. Here, with the assistance of God, he was kindled with the desire for monastic life.
By the time he completed his education, in the 16th year of his life, Joachim had already disposed his heart to take monastic vows. However, having returned to his parents and fearing to sadden them with this plan, for the time being he hid his heartfelt attitude.
Lyrics
Canonical prayers include festive magnifications and several prayerful addresses to the saint.
Troparion
“Beloved Saint Christ God, you were the rule of faith and the image of mercy for people, but through vigil, fasting and prayer, like a bright lamp, you shone, and you appeared glorified by God, resting in incorruptibility in body, but standing before the Throne of God in spirit, glorious miracles you exude. Pray to Christ God that He may establish our Fatherland in Orthodoxy and piety and save our souls.”
Kontakion
“Who can confess the many different exploits of your life? Who can count the manifold mercies of God shown by you? Your boldness is in the hands of the Most Pure Mother of God and the All-Bountiful God, and with tenderness of heart we call upon you: do not deprive us of your help and intercession, O Saint of Christ and miracle worker Joasapha.”
Greatness
Prayer for the feast day of St. Joasaph:
“This is a great and festive day, your day of glorification on earth, to our holy father Joasaph, glory and great joy to our land, accept this humble and warm prayer of ours. Today we see the fulfillment of the word of the Lord: I will glorify those who glorify Me. Behold, in the days of your earthly life you sought nothing, but to fulfill the will of God and guide the children of your flock for salvation, and for this you undertook much labor, sorrow, illness, and travel. After your death, glorify you, the merciful Lord, who bestowed incorruptibility and healing powers on your body; In the same way, you exuded currents of healing to those who pray, and you appeared many times to those who were sick and grieving, calling on you, and thus giving consolation and quick healing. For this reason, as the chosen one of Divine grace leading you, the Church of Christ glorify you as the new wonderworker of our land. Bless and have mercy on the bishop of the true God, Orthodox people. Grant them consolation of heart, consolation and peace and everlasting joy in the Lord. Preserve the Russian state in the world and strengthen its people in the truth, grant unshakable courage to warriors and keep all people sorrowless. Eliminate all sedition and destroy the advice of seditious people, and bring those same ones into repentance. Give wisdom, purity and righteous living to the shepherds and bishops, just as you yourself were adorned with these. Give good upbringing to infants, teach them to the young, and grant health to those who are sick and grieving. Give patience and hope to those who labor, give humility to the rich and grant mercy to your neighbors. Grant us all everlasting joy in the Lord, so that we may all please you with gratitude, saying: We magnify you, O holy Father Joasaph, and honor your holy memory, for you pray for us to Christ our God.”
Akathist
Kontakion 1
The chosen warriors of courage and the heir of Christ's flock, the good shepherd, the lamp of faith, who shone on the candlestick of Belgrade, the nourisher of the poor and the prayer book for people to Christ God, let us sing praises to you, the servant of your Lord, from our hearts, crying out to your love:
Rejoice, Saint Joasaph of Christ, wonderful miracle worker.
Ikos 1
An angel of God was sent quickly from the Mother of God to perform a prototypical action and cover the youth with the holy mantle, Joasapha. Your parent was honored to see this in a vision, hearing the voice of the Queen of Heaven saying: Your prayer is sufficient for Me. Listen to such a sweet voice, and we, sinners, cry out to you in love:
Rejoice, born of your mother on the day of the Most Pure Nativity; Rejoice, covered by the veil of the Mother of God from your birth.
Rejoice, vessel chosen by God from your childhood; Rejoice, raised under the shadow of the monastery of the Holy Trinity of the Lord.
Rejoice, beloved son of pious parents; Rejoice, you who loved the desert more than your relatives.
Rejoice, in the city of Kyiv you have acquired book learning through your mind; Rejoice, you who gave your pure heart to the Lord.
Rejoice, you who left your parents’ house for the Lord’s sake; Rejoice, secretly directing your steps to the Mezhigorsk monastery.
Rejoice, young prayer book of the cramped cave; Rejoice, you who despise earthly things and love heavenly things.
Rejoice, Saint Joasaph of Christ, wonderful miracle worker.
Kontakion 2
Seeing the image of this world passing away, the glory of man disappears like smoke, from his youth you loved the monastic life and, as a child, you were devoted to the prayer and service of God, Joasapha, always singing the angelic song to the Lord: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Your mind, enlightened by the teachings of the books in the Epiphany brotherhood, you gave over to the thought of God, Joasapha, not collecting treasures of wisdom for yourself, but rather becoming rich in God with these, preparing yourself through prayer and fasting in the service of Christ. By the same token, in your youth, you were worthy of cice’s pleasures:
Rejoice, image of purity and chastity; Rejoice, good guardian of humility.
Rejoice, having cast away the soul-sweetening sweets of this world like rubbish; Rejoice, washing your soul with pure tears of youth.
Rejoice, having preserved your virginity uncorrupted by the Lord; Rejoice, conqueror of the temptations of the young age.
Rejoice, spring, illuminated by the rays of grace; Rejoice, morning, fragrant with virtues.
Rejoice, for you have followed Christ on the narrow path; Rejoice, for you have desired to achieve the mountainous Fatherland.
Rejoice, you who laid your hand on the Lord’s forehead; Rejoice, you have never turned back your face.
Rejoice, Saint Joasaph of Christ, wonderful miracle worker.
Kontakion 3
Having united the strength of your spirit into one intention, in order to completely betray your life to Christ, you took on the angelic form in your early youth, Joasapha, and together with the elders you sang to the Triune God: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having an invincible weapon, a cross on your heart, inscribed by faith, against the passions and sins of mortals growing against us, you took strong arms, and, having granted victory to the Lord against your enemies, you composed a song of honest virtue, listening to it, and we are grateful to the lips of yours we chant:
Rejoice, image of humility, by whom pride is cast down; Rejoice, mercy is the rule, by which all evil is conquered.
Rejoice, bearer of chastity and reflection of unclean thoughts; Rejoice, strong zealous love and destruction of hatred.
Rejoice, freed from the captivity of passions by fasting with weapons; Rejoice, you have been protected by meekness from the wrath of unrighteousness.
Rejoice, guardian of piety, guarding your soul from the sleep of sin; Rejoice, through the commonwealth of virtues you deliver from mortal decay.
Rejoice, servant of God, adorned with these virtues in the memory of Christians; Rejoice, lamp of faith, kindled from the Sun of Truth in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Rejoice, source, flowing into eternal life; Rejoice, you have stronger power against the devil.
Rejoice, Saint Joasaph of Christ, wonderful miracle worker.
Kontakion 4
Having calmed the storm of temptations and attacks of the enemy with your vigilant life, you were elevated from the bishop of God to the degree of priesthood, and with all humility you lifted the burden of church service in honorable Kiev, to the shrines of this city, from where and to this day monks and Orthodox people They cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
I have heard from those near and far about your tireless labors, Joasaph, how the first monastery in the city of Lubnakh was beautifully decorated by you, blessing you, your abbot, after the same Lavra of Sergius was renewed by you, even with the building of the house, and so was the monastic life by correcting it. For this reason, the voice of the people praises you with these:
Rejoice, skillful builder of the temples of the saints; Rejoice, diligent decorator of honest abodes.
Rejoice, zealot for the splendor of the church; Rejoice, more than these, to the zealot of spiritual work.
Rejoice, you bear the image of Christ in your heart; Rejoice, loving your Savior to the end.
Rejoice, preacher, the Tsarina of Russia listened to him in sweetness; Rejoice, I speak the truth, do not look at faces.
Rejoice, thou who has done deeds to the mind of God; Rejoice, having taught all of us patience through your life.
Rejoice, for you worked in the sweat of your brow for God’s sake; Rejoice, for you have perfected your spirit in the struggle of goodness.
Rejoice, Saint Joasaph of Christ, wonderful miracle worker.
Kontakion 5
More godly than the star of obedience, like Bethlehem, you mentally followed and found Christ, appearing in the temple of your soul, Reverend Father, and you bent your will to him. Likewise, the Lord, strengthening you in your struggle, in a vision commands Athanasius, Saint of Mgara, to lay his hand on your head and thereby announce your coming, and with boldness cry out to the Heavenly King: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Having seen you, the people of Belogradstia, the teacher of the good of Divine teachings, appeared on the throne of the holiness and guardian of the fatherly traditions, showing herself to be faithful, showing impartiality to the judge and vigilant shepherd, she rejoiced greatly and unanimously praised you, saying:
Rejoice, teacher of the true knowledge of God; Rejoice, persecutor of magic and fortune-telling.
Rejoice, accuser of evil unbelief; Rejoice, eradicator of schism and superstition.
Rejoice, you who taught the intemperate nobleman holy fasting; Rejoice, you firmly established the statutes of your fathers in the monasteries.
Rejoice, dispenser of Orthodox truths; Rejoice, patron saint of schools of piety.
Rejoice, through whom Latin customs are banished; Rejoice, even as the seeds of Christ’s truth are sown.
Rejoice, the gate is open to those who seek learning; Rejoice, never-silent mouth of the glory of God.
Rejoice, Saint Joasaph of Christ, wonderful miracle worker.
Kontakion 6
Thou preacher of Orthodox dogmas, the commandments of the Lord not only in the mouth, but also in thy whole life, thou hast expounded, O Joasapha. Thus, your light was enlightened before men, because, having seen your good deeds, everyone glorified the Heavenly Father, to Him every breath sings praise: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Woe to the Sun of Truth that has risen before your eyes, the night of sin on the earth below will not be terrible for you, Saint Joasapha, who was appointed by the Lord as a helmsman on ships and received with a strong hand. We also worthily praise you and will not be silent, blatantly:
Rejoice, shepherd, do not please yourself; Rejoice, thou faithfully protect the flock of Christ from ravenous wolves.
Rejoice, having crushed wickedness with the rod of righteousness; Rejoice, you who neglect the sacred things and excommunicate them from the Church of God.
Rejoice, strong fence for those unjustly offended; Rejoice, firm defense of the truth for the sake of the hated.
Rejoice, protecting the humble reader from the princely servants; Rejoice, despisers of the church statutes.
Rejoice, righteous accuser of the arrogant; Rejoice, strict moderator of the disobedient.
Rejoice, you who did not sheathe the spiritual sword; Rejoice, you who have received the crown of righteousness from the Lord.
Rejoice, Saint Joasaph of Christ, wonderful miracle worker.
Kontakion 7
Although you were a true shepherd, who called his sheep by name, you often walked around the cities of your flock not in need, but according to God, below the unrighteous profits, but diligently, giving an image to the flock in your labors, and processions, and illnesses, constantly teaching and denouncing and calling on all people to serve God and sing to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
A new heaven and a new earth, according to the promise of Christ, tea and these, for the sake of the inner man, renewing you every day, by fasting you freed your flesh from the work of decay, Joasapha the wise, and with the prayer of the wing you increased your spirit, with whom you also raised us sinners spiritually, in order to glorify you and chant:
Rejoice, having found heavenly joys through labor and illness; Rejoice, having tasted spiritual sweets in your fasting and vigil.
Rejoice, you who humbled your flesh in your suffering; Rejoice, the image of patience revealed to people.
Rejoice, weak vessel, storehouse of spiritual strength; Rejoice, meager one, receptacle of grace.
Rejoice, censer of incense fragrant to God; Rejoice, temple of holy hymns.
Rejoice, marvelous builder of the mysteries of God; Rejoice, blessed child of the Church, teacher.
Rejoice, for the Angels serve with you invisibly; Rejoice, for the demons have retreated far from you.
Rejoice, Saint Joasaph of Christ, wonderful miracle worker.
Kontakion 8
Having been a wanderer in this world, you philosophized above, not on earth, Reverend Joasapha, and, remembering your last, you prayed to Christ God, saying: at the hour of my death, receive the spirit of Your servant, who is on the journey, and with all the saints I will sing to You: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
With all your heart and holy love you served the lesser brethren, Saint Joasapha, by feeding the hungry, warming the homes of the orphans and the poor, preparing firewood for widows with your own hands, and doing your alms in secret. But the Lord has deigned that your good deeds have been revealed to the world, and we cry out to you in such a glorifying way:
Rejoice, tree of grace, from whose fruit the hungry eat; Rejoice, source of consolation, from which the thirsty will get drunk.
Rejoice, for your right hand does not know what you do; Rejoice, for your meal was a consolation to those in prison.
Rejoice, you who fed the disgraced commander with your food; Rejoice, for the evil ruler will not be able to prevent you from doing this.
Rejoice, robbers who attacked you and were put to shame by your words; Rejoice, thou who alone turned from them to final repentance.
Rejoice, mothers who feed with milk, good protection; Rejoice, wise care for these little children.
Rejoice, for you have united mercy and judgment into one; Rejoice, for through your love you have won the love of the people.
Rejoice, Saint Joasaph of Christ, wonderful miracle worker.
Kontakion 9
Your spiritual eye has seen every mystery of the human soul. In the same way, the sin of the priest was revealed to you, bent for years, bound by the oath of the Angel of God on this earth, who brought him to repentance and reconciled him to God, according to the Divine Liturgy, you delivered him from sinful captivity and the bonds of temporary life, singing to the All-Merciful Savior: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
More than those who have spoken many times, the voice of the people silently praises you, blessed Joasapha. Likewise, now accept this praise from all of us, who call to you with tender hearts:
Rejoice, for through your all-night prayers I brought down the grace of God to the earth; Rejoice, for your days of great labor have been a blessing to the Church and to the people.
Rejoice, always show pastoral care for the verbal sheep of your flock; Rejoice, you have splendidly corrected the rite of the church.
Rejoice, thou who has tamed battles and quarrels through thy rebuke; Rejoice, you who taught presbyters and deacons a peaceful life.
Rejoice, for a new vessel of grace has opened in you; Rejoice, for through you the Peschansky image of the Mother of God appeared.
Rejoice, clear proclamation of the mysteries of the heart; Rejoice, wondrous insight to come.
Rejoice, faithful guardian of the Gospel covenant; Rejoice, unhypocritical guardian of the church commandments.
Rejoice, Saint Joasaph of Christ, wonderful miracle worker.
Kontakion 10
Although you saved your sheep from being plundered, you drove the fierce wolves away from the church fence with your holy rod, but with the word of truth, like a two-edged sword, you repelled their attacks, Joasapha, singing the victorious song to the Lord: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
You have protected your people with a strong wall, O blessed one, having laid this on the foundation of faith, erected hope and love from the stones and strengthened them forever with the memory of your deeds. For these sakes we compose a song for you, crying out:
Rejoice, persecutor of evil customs and protector of good ones; Rejoice, wise steward of your region.
Rejoice, spiritual weapon of the Russian country; Rejoice, bright mirror of the truth of the Church.
Rejoice, you who spared no one for the sake of man-pleasing; Rejoice, you who denounced bribery.
Rejoice, for the sake of man, you never shut the doors of truth; Rejoice, having subdued your heart to the sole fear of God.
Rejoice, scorching the enemies of faith with the flame of the Lord’s wrath; Rejoice, you calm the fury of the unrighteous anger with meekness.
Rejoice, undaunted commander of Christ; Rejoice, shepherd, loved by all and beloved by all.
Rejoice, Saint Joasaph of Christ, wonderful miracle worker.
Kontakion 11
We bring you songs of praise from our humble hearts, blessed Joasapha. For this love shall not turn away from your acceptance, even though you now hear the sweetest voices of Angels singing to God in heaven: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
Having prepared your spirit for the luminous heaven and foresaw the speedy end of earthly life, and commanded that a temple be prepared for the burial of your body, you visited your father’s city and your parents, according to God’s commandment, thus giving honor and love to their filial soul in faith and hope, perfecting their image and enlightening us , Blessed Joasapha, calling:
Rejoice, having illuminated the old age of your parents by your visit; Rejoice, blessed father before your death.
Rejoice, for your spirit has been purified like gold; Rejoice, for your virtues are like precious stones to Siyahu.
Rejoice, O ship, not overcome by the adversity of the storms of life; Rejoice, you who have gloriously completed the path commanded by Christ.
Rejoice, for the bright Heaven has appeared to you as a comforting haven; Rejoice, for the door of the Kingdom of Christ has opened for you.
Rejoice, for thou hast inhabited the mountain villages with thy spirit; Rejoice, for thou hast left on earth the incorruptible pledge of resurrection.
Rejoice, star, shining in the spiritual firmament; Rejoice, prayer for us to God never ceases.
Rejoice, Saint Joasaph of Christ, wonderful miracle worker.
Kontakion 12
Christ show us inexhaustible grace an indisputable sign in the incorruption of your relics, Joasapha the wise, before whom people faithfully pray, from the visible to the invisible learn to ascend spiritually, and God, who is wondrous in His saints, glorify and sing angelically to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing your righteous life, blessed Joasapha, glorifying your labors and ascension from glory to glory, we see and confess that your death was born into ever-flowing life, even as you sprinkle us, the earthly, with streams of grace, both from mental and physical illnesses, deigning to the Lord, You free, often appear in vision and bring comfort to the sick and sorrowful, and most of all, you invisibly listen to those praying before your tomb and visibly give help. Moreover, praising you with gratitude, we say:
Rejoice, having partaken of the joys, but not forgetting those who are in sorrow; Rejoice, inclining your ear to the vale of sorrows.
Rejoice, like Elijah the Thesbite, burn with the fire of jealousy for God; Rejoice, through the feet of the Wonderworker the World of Lycia enters the huts of the poor.
Rejoice, unexpected help for the desperate; Rejoice, blessed strength for the weakened.
Rejoice, for through your prayers Chromia walked; Rejoice, for through your blindness your sight has been restored.
Rejoice, healer from various ailments; Rejoice, guarding Orthodox warriors in battle.
Rejoice, faithful defender of the Russian lands; Rejoice, unhypocritical champion of Orthodoxy.
Rejoice, Saint Joasaph of Christ, wonderful miracle worker.
Kontakion 13
O glorious shepherd of Belograd, Saint Joasaph! Accept this little praise of ours and pray to Christ God to deliver the Russian land and all Christian countries from the deadly plague of unbelief, from all enmity and disorder, from enemies visible and invisible. May the holy Church grow and strengthen, and may all the faithful lead to Christ the universal Shepherd, singing to Him: Alleluia.
This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos, the 1st kontakion and one of the prayers.
Prayer
In addition to the traditional texts, a special prayer was compiled for Saint Joasaph to be read before the relics.
First
“Oh, saint of God, Saint Joasapha! From the depths of our hearts we appeal to you, servants of God (names), protect us from temptation, heresies and schisms, teach us to philosophize on the high, enlighten our scattered mind and direct us to the path of truth, warm our cold heart with love for our neighbor and zeal for the fulfillment of God’s commandments, sin and Revive our weakened will through negligence with the grace of the All-Holy Spirit. Let us follow your pastoral voice and preserve our souls in purity and truth, and thus, by helping God, we will achieve the Kingdom of Heaven, where together with you we will glorify the most honorable and magnificent name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen".
Second
“O Saint Joasaph of Christ, wonderworker of Belograd! We believe, sinners and unworthy, that the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are on their prayer, and for this reason we resort to your prayers and ask your intercession for us, according to the apostolic verb, with hope, as if your love will no longer disappear. In our sins and illnesses we have become like smoking flax and a crushed reed, and while we live, we live by the grace of God and through the prayers of His righteous. Bow then, O righteous father, your heart to our prayer, and through your intercession give peace and blessing to the Christian family from the Lord. Strengthen Orthodoxy, and drive away the attacks of the evil and lawless on the Church of God. Pray to the Heavenly Father to deliver us from the enemy invasion, from civil strife and national turmoil, from destructive epidemics and deadly plagues, from famine, fire and flood and other troubles and circumstances. Ask Christ God for strength for our souls and the health we need for our bodies, and healing for sickness: walking for the lame, sight for the blind, strengthening for the weakened, consolation for the sad, and deliverance from all sorrows. But unite the fallen vines of Christ again with that, even if you yourself were considered worthy to be a partaker, so that by you the most honorable and magnificent name of our God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, may be glorified, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen".
Before the relics
“O great servant of God and glorious miracle worker, Saint Joasaph! From distant and near cities and villages, having come together to pray in the place of your deeds and kiss your multi-healing relics, from the depths of our hearts we cry to you and instill, protect us from temptation, heresies and schisms, teach us to be wise in our heavenly wanderings: our scattered mind enlighten and direct on the path of truth, warm the cooled heart with love for one’s neighbor and zeal for the fulfillment of God’s commandments, revive our will, weakened by sin and negligence, with the grace of the All-Holy Spirit: and may we follow your pastoral voice, keep our souls in purity and truth, and so, to God helping, we will achieve the Heavenly Kingdom, where together with you we will glorify the Most Honorable and Magnificent Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen".
Path of the Novice
Some time later, Joachim, citing the need to complete his educational course, left for Kyiv. Then he went to the deserted Transfiguration of the Savior Kiev-Mezhigorsk monastery.
Having entered the monastery, he devoted himself to humble obedience and prayer. Sometimes, when circumstances permitted, he would retire to a cave for contemplation and prayer.
Fearing that his stay at the monastery might be interrupted through parental intervention, Joachim left a servant in Kyiv, and he, receiving messages from home, delivered them to the monastery. As Joachim composed reply letters, the servant sent them home on his behalf.
In 1725, Joachim, having passed the tests required for a novice, accepted the ryassophore with the name Hilarion. After this, he opened up to his parents, fervently asking their forgiveness for his deception and for deciding to take such an important step without their blessing.
Last days of earthly life
Shortly before his death, Saint Joasaph wished to meet his parents. Having asked permission from the Synod, he said goodbye to his flock in a Christian manner and left for Priluki.
Coming out to meet his beloved son, the father experienced confusion. As a Christian, he had to bow to the bishop, but as a father he himself could count on bowing. When the son got out of the carriage, the father, as if by accident, dropped his cane. As soon as he bent down to pick it up and at the same time bow, the son understood his plan, bowed to his parent and handed him the fallen cane. Then they hugged.
After staying in his father's house, Saint Joasaph went to Belgorod. It was September 1754. Along the way, in the village of Grayvoron, he fell ill and died two months later. Just before his death, he confessed his sins and partook of the Body and Blood of Christ. Death occurred on December 10, 1754.
Episcopal ministry
In 1748, Archimandrite Joasaph was consecrated Bishop of Belgorod and Oboyan.
In August of the same year he arrived at the department in Belgorod. On the day of his arrival, despite fatigue from the long journey and physical illness, he served the Divine Liturgy in the cathedral.
The diocese entrusted to the saint was distinguished by the depressing poverty of its inhabitants. Many children of clergy, and especially orphans, did not have sufficient funds to pay for their content in theological schools. This affected their educational level. Reacting to the situation, the saint, as best he could, provided financial assistance to those in need.
In order to improve the diocese and improve the situation, he personally traveled around the territory, not excluding remote regions. In order to raise the moral level of the population, he visited the homes of his charges, both rich and poor, and taught them lessons in Christian morality.
He made a lot of efforts to raise the spiritual and moral level among the clergy, vigilantly monitoring not only how the divine service was performed, but also the inner disposition with which the shepherds performed the priesthood. One of his demands, for example, obliged priests who were in a quarrel with other priests not to begin worship until they came to reconciliation.
For violation of church charter and personal orders, the saint could subject the disobedient to severe punishment.
So, one day, while surveying the diocese, he stopped at the house of a priest. At night the saint suffered from insomnia and inexplicable fear. Suddenly, looking closely, he discovered that on the shelf, next to the kitchen utensils, in one of the paper wrappers, there were the Holy Gifts. The bishop was horrified by what he saw. Carefully placing the shrine on the table, he prayed all night, asking God to avert the terrible punishment from the priest. The next morning, Saint Joasaph explained to the shepherd what his mistake was, and then deprived him of his rank.
Another time, upon inspiration from above, entering one of the temples, he discovered a drunken cleric and also stripped him of his title.
Due to special zeal and the highest righteousness, Father Joasaph acquired such closeness to the Creator that he was endowed with the gift of clairvoyance from Him.
One day he called the priests to him for a conversation. One of them stood out for its unusually rare age: he was 130 years old. After the conversation, having blessed the invitees, the bishop dismissed them to their own affairs and turned to the elder with the question, what kind of sin binds him, and why can’t he die for so long? The elder, as if he did not know the excessive sin behind him, and considered his longevity to be the result of Divine mercy, was amazed, but under the watchful gaze of the bishop he still understood what kind of sin he was talking about. Once upon a time, when he was still young, such an incident happened to him. He served the Liturgy and was about to leave. But at that moment he was stopped by the landowner's envoy, who demanded that he serve the Liturgy a second time, for the sake of his master. The shepherd tried to explain that this was impossible in principle, since it contradicted the canons, but his explanations were unsuccessful. Then, fearing the wrath of the landowner, he chose to obey. When I began to perform the service (on the same throne), I heard a mysterious voice demanding that I stop. The priest wavered, but the fear of the master turned out to be stronger than the fear of the Lord, and he continued to commit lawlessness. The voice again told the priest not to dare to do evil, so as not to fall under the curse. The priest, in madness, snapped: Be damned yourself!, and continued to sing the liturgy.
Hearing this story, the saint was taken aback and pointed out to the elderly shepherd that he had cursed the Heavenly Messenger, the guardian of the place. Then he ordered the erection of a camp church and the Divine Liturgy to be served at the site of that sacrilege. After this, he absolved the elder from his sins. Having been cleansed by repentance and reconciled with the Lord and the angel, the elder rested. His body was buried there, and the saint personally participated in his funeral service.
Monastic life
Two years later, in 1727, Hilarion the Rassophore was summoned to the Brotherhood of Kyiv. Here he was tonsured into a mantle and received a new name - Joasaph (in memory and honor of the Indian prince Joasaph).
In January 1728, Joasaph was ordained as a hierodeacon and assigned to the Kyiv Academy as a lower-class teacher.
He worked as a teacher for three years, after which the spiritual authorities sent him to collect donations (for the repair of academic buildings) throughout the territory of Little Russia.
In 1734, Hierodeacon Joasaph was appointed to the position of examiner at the Kyiv department.
Soon he was ordained a hieromonk.
In 1737, Archbishop Rafail Zaborovsky appointed Father Joasaph as abbot of the Lubensko-Mgarsky Transfiguration Monastery. He humbly fulfilled the will of the bishop, although due to the same humility he did so reluctantly: he did not consider himself, a sinner, worthy of such a high title.
Another monastery, Krasnogorsk, as well as several local churches came under the leadership of the abbot.
Despite the difficulties associated with leading the brethren and the monastic economy, as well as ill health, Father Joasaph did not weaken the severity of his ascetic deeds.
In September 1744, with the assistance of Empress Elizabeth, he was awarded the title of archimandrite. Soon he was called to Moscow. Here, in January 1745, Father Joasaph received an appointment to the position of abbot of the Holy Trinity St. Sergius Monastery. This obedience lasted until June 1748.
When is the feast day of St. Joseph of Belgorod in 2022?
The Memorial Day of St. Joseph of Belgorod will be celebrated twice in 2022.
- December 23
is the day of memory of Joseph of Belgorod. - September 17
- discovery of the relics of Joseph of Belgorod.
According to the old style, the day of memory of Joseph of Belgorod was celebrated on the church calendar on December 10. The discovery of the relics of Joseph of Belgorod according to the old style is celebrated on the church calendar on September 4. The dates are not moving; they are celebrated by the Orthodox Church on the same day every year.
