Question from a new guy on the block:
Has Elder Joseph the Hesychast been glorified by Patriarch Bartholomew yet? If not, is his canonization held up for some reason?
Thank you! Russian Pole
Elder Joseph the Hesychast and Vladyka John of Shanghai
- Russian Pole
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Elder Joseph the Hesychast
Blessed Joseph spent some time as a non-commemorator, but after witnessing the scandals, divisions, and fanaticism of the Old Calendarists, withdrew from them and died (+1959) in communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate. This is testified by his biographers, his brotherhood, and all of his disciples.
- DavidHawthorne
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Latin Concepts and keys to canonization
Well, since Elder Joseph lived out his life within the Patriarch's jurisdiction (and from the previous post: within his communion) I guess he might have something to say about it in some official capacity.........
Nathanael wrote:Yet, to the end, Elder Joseph refused to enter any of the churches that followed the new calendar.
Also, since when does the Pope of Constantinople hold the keys to canonization? What a totally Latin concept!
Since Blessed Joseph lived under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, it is perfectly Orthodox to say that Constantinople "holds the key" to formal glorification. Of course, those who venerate his memory are in no way impeded from asking his intercessions prior to any formal glorification.
While Blessed Joseph was certainly opposed to the introduction of the new calendar, he had no problem asking a retired bishop living on the Holy Mountain, who followed the old calendar but was a commemorator none-the-less, to ordain the heiromonks in his brotherhood.
We should always keep in mind how much has happened in world Orthodoxy since the time of Elder Joseph. If he found it problematic enough to cease communion then (even though he returned due to OC divisions) how much more so today? Would he cease commemoration today? The chances are high that he would. We know he really believed that he should cease commemorating, since he did, and only reluctantly resumed, not due to being reconciled with the new calendar/ecumenism but due to OC problems.
Anyone who wants to follow his example should also follow his example of not entering to worship in churches where the new calendar is followed.