The Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate officially included in the calendar of the Church Saints Joseph the Hesychast (Elder Joseph), Ephraim of Katounakia and Daniil of Katounakia.

The Synod made the official announcement on Monday, March 09.

Their official glorification comes after an unofficial announcement made by Patriarch Bartholomew while visiting the Holy Mountain in October. The glorification of Elder Ieronymos of Simenopetra was also announced at that time, who was officially added to the calendar on November 27 together with Elder Sophrony of Essex.

“These saints have shown that zeal and prayer come and are preserved through the unity of the brotherhood around the abbot, achieved through the earnest and loving obedience of each member of the brotherhood,” writes the Ascetic Experience, quoted by OrthoChristian.

St. Joseph the Hesychast reposed on the day of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos and will be commemorated each year the day after, on August 16/29.

St. Ephraim of Katounakia reposed on the Saturday of the Ascetic Saints, the last Saturday before Great Lent), “so it is very likely that he will be celebrated with Saint Ephraim the Syrian,” according to the Ascetic Experience.

St. Daniel of Katounakia reposed on the feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, and his brotherhood asked for him to be celebrated on the Holy Mountain the day before, September 7/20.

The foundation of a future Church of St. Joseph the Hesychast was laid in Madagascar in December.