SAINT IOASAF – THE BISHOP OF BELGOROD SAINT IOASAF – THE BISHOP OF BELGOROD

Saint Ioasaf, Bishop of Belgorod St. Ioasaf was born on the 8 of September in 1705 in the town Prilouki.On this day the Orthodox Church celebrates the Birthday of Theotokos (Mother of God). His father, Andrey Dmitrievich Gorlenko, was a descendant of Cossack family. His mother, Maria Danilovna, was the daughter of Danilo Apostol, the hetman. The baby was baptized by the name of Ioakim in honour of Theortokos’ father.

Ioakim’s Сhildhood The Gorlenkos, a wealthy and religious family, had 7 sons. They lived in a big house with a lot of icons. The parents were building a church. They used to go to the Gustin monastery with there sons. One of Ioakim’s uncles was a monk and aunt was a nun. When Ioakim was 8 years old he entered the Kiev Academy School. The rector of it became Ioakim’s confessor. He was helping the boy to grow up into a spiritual man. At 11 Ioakim had got a desire to become a monk

A Difficult Choice After having finished the Academy School Ioakim came back to his parents, he desired to be blessed by them but didn’t get the blessing. Parents wanted him to continue the studies. Ioakim left the home and went to Kievo- Mejhegorsk monastery. Here he took monastic vows when he was 20 years old. He was renamed according to the Church rules. They called him by the name of Ilarion. In a year he sent a letter to his parents to inform them about his choice. They blessed him.

Monastery’s Life Monastery’s rules were strict. The monks didn’t eat boiled meal, worked and prayed for many hours every day. Ilarion attended worships and kept rules. Besides, he concerned himself with science. Soon he was invited to the Kiev Spiritual Academy where Ilarion became a lector. He taught Latin, Catechesis, Choral Singing. In 1727 he had got the Mantle and was renamed for the second time. They began to call him Ioasaf. In 1728 he was ordained deacon and in 1734 Ioasaf was ordained priest. During this period he was writing the poem about seven virtual struggling against seven mortal sins. Monastery’s rules were strict. The monks didn’t eat boiled meal, worked and prayed for many hours every day. Ilarion attended worships and kept rules. Besides, he concerned himself with science. Soon he was invited to the Kiev Spiritual Academy where Ilarion became a lector. He taught Latin, Catechesis, Choral Singing. In 1727 he had got the Mantle and was renamed for the second time. They began to call him Ioasaf. In 1728 he was ordained deacon and in 1734 Ioasaf was ordained priest. During this period he was writing the poem about seven virtual struggling against seven mortal sins.

Ioasaf’s Work Some time later Ioasaf was sent to Mgarsk monastery as a hegumen. This monastery had been destroyed by the fire. Hegumen Ioasaf organized the monks to clean the territory and to plant the garden. He asked some rich believers to sponsor them and succeeded in his efforts.And what is more the Empress Elisabeth gave him 2000 roubles. He became an archimandrite of Mgarsk monastery. In 1742 he went to Saint Trinity-Sergiev Lavra near Moscow as an archimandrite. In 1748 Ioasaf was named Bishop of Belgorod diocese.Some time later Ioasaf was sent to Mgarsk monastery as a hegumen. This monastery had been destroyed by the fire. Hegumen Ioasaf organized the monks to clean the territory and to plant the garden. He asked some rich believers to sponsor them and succeeded in his efforts.And what is more the Empress Elisabeth gave him 2000 roubles. He became an archimandrite of Mgarsk monastery. In 1742 he went to Saint Trinity-Sergiev Lavra near Moscow as an archimandrite. In 1748 Ioasaf was named Bishop of Belgorod diocese.

Ioasaf in Belgorod Bishop Ioasaf visited and inspected all churches of his diocese, preached sermons, sent money and food to poor people, organized many schools for children and adults. Once bishop Ioasaf, visiting Izyum, found the big ancient icon of Theotokos “Peschanskaya”. Later this icon became famous for many miracles and healings. Bishop Ioasaf visited and inspected all churches of his diocese, preached sermons, sent money and food to poor people, organized many schools for children and adults. Once bishop Ioasaf, visiting Izyum, found the big ancient icon of Theotokos “Peschanskaya”. Later this icon became famous for many miracles and healings.

Ioasaf’s Death Since his childhood bishop Ioasaf was out of health. He used to work hard and finally he ruined his health. Forseeing his death he decided to visit his parents in his native town Prilouki.On his way back he stopped in Graivoron because of his illness. On the 10 th of December, 1754, bishop Ioasaf died. Only for six years he headed Belgorod diocese, but he succeeded in improving the situation of the neglected diocese. His body was left unburied for a month, but was found undecaying. Soon his relics became famous for many miracles and healings. Bishop Ioasaf was canonized at the beginning of the 20 th century. Now you may see Saint Ioasaf’s undecayed relics in Preobrazhensk Cathedral in Belgorod. Since his childhood bishop Ioasaf was out of health. He used to work hard and finally he ruined his health. Forseeing his death he decided to visit his parents in his native town Prilouki.On his way back he stopped in Graivoron because of his illness. On the 10 th of December, 1754, bishop Ioasaf died. Only for six years he headed Belgorod diocese, but he succeeded in improving the situation of the neglected diocese. His body was left unburied for a month, but was found undecaying. Soon his relics became famous for many miracles and healings. Bishop Ioasaf was canonized at the beginning of the 20 th century. Now you may see Saint Ioasaf’s undecayed relics in Preobrazhensk Cathedral in Belgorod.