Today, Monday 9 March 2020, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate officially numbered among the Saints of the Orthodox Church a beloved and very influential Athonite Father of the 20th century - Elder Joseph the Hesychast.
We are also informed that the Holy Synod is moving forward with officially including Elders Ephraim of Katounakia and Daniel of Katounakia among the Saints as well.
When the news was brought to the attention of Vatopaidi Monastery on Mount Athos after the completion of Compline, they began to joyfully ring their bells and chanted a dismissal hymn (apolytikion) to each of the three new Saints of the Orthodox Church, which can be heard below (first is to Elder Joseph, then Elder Daniel, then Elder Ephraim).
This is in fulfillment of a promise made by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Athonite Fathers upon his visit to Mount Athos on 20 October of 2019. He has already fulfilled his promised of canonizing Saint Sophrony of Essex.
