The role and significance of the ascetic service of the elder Joseph Hesychast for orthodox monasticism in the 20th century

In the article, based on published sources, there are shown role and importance of the elder Joseph Hesychast in reviving the best traditions of Athonite monasticism in the second half of the 20th century, not only on Athos itself, but also in Europe, North America, etc. Thus, the elder Joseph founded and restored 6 monasteries, 1 community monastery and many cells on Mount Athos, 18 monasteries in Greece, 6 — in Cyprus, 18 — in the USA, 2 — in Canada, 1 — in Italy were founded and restored. At the same time, little was known about the elder Joseph himself until recently. At present, the situation has changed radically. And now not only books are being published, but also icons and liturgical texts are written, despite the fact that the elder Joseph Hesychast is not yet listed as a saint. Nevertheless, as early as 2015, the relics of this great Orthodox ascetic of the 20th century were brought to the St. Petersburg Theological Academy. The article was originally presented in the form of a report at the II Monastic conference, which was organized by the Historical Society of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy and was held on March 29, 2018.