Commemorated on April 4
Born in Sicily in 816, Saint Joseph the Hymnographer was the son of devout Christian parents, Plotinus and Agatha. He was dubbed “the sweet-voiced nightingale of the Church” because he was considered the most prolific of the Greek hymn writers.
In 830, when Joseph was still a young boy, his parents made the decision to relocate to the Peloponnesos (Greece) in order to protect themselves from the constant threat of barbarian invasions. At the age of fifteen, the future Saint Joseph embarked on a journey to Thessalonica and joined the esteemed monastery of Latomos. Throughout his time there, he became known for his devoutness, his strong work ethic, and his gentle nature, which endeared him to all the fellow monks. His deep devotion and love for God as a monk also earned him recognition from Saint Gregory the Dekapolite, who brought Joseph to Constantinople. Eventually, his dedication and commitment led to his ordination as a priest, marking a significant milestone in his spiritual journey. Alongside Saint Gregory, Saint Joseph actively preached his beliefs to others, leaving a lasting impact on the Byzantine Empire.
Saints Gregory and Joseph became known specifically for their unwavering defense of the veneration of holy icons during a tumultuous period in the history of the Church of Constantinople. They fearlessly preached in the city squares and visited the homes of Orthodox believers, urging them to stand firm against the heretical teachings of the iconoclasts. The Church of Constantinople was facing a grave crisis, as both the emperor and the patriarch had embraced iconoclastic beliefs, leading to widespread turmoil and division among the faithful.
During the resurgence of Byzantine Iconoclasm under Emperor Leo V the Armenian and Theophilos, the Eastern Church was facing a crisis, but the Roman bishops maintained communion with the Eastern Church, which allowed Pope Leo III to offer crucial support to the Orthodox community. Recognizing the urgent need for assistance, the Orthodox monks selected Saint Joseph as a dedicated envoy to convey their concerns to the Pope. With the blessing of Saint Gregory, Saint Joseph embarked on a journey to Rome, where he would provide a detailed account of the struggles faced by the Church of Constantinople, the oppressive actions of the iconoclasts, and the imminent threats to Orthodoxy. However, Joseph's journey took an unexpected turn when he was captured by slave-trading pirates and subsequently sold into slavery in Crete.
Saint Joseph spent six years in prison. While in captivity, Joseph had a divine encounter with St. Nicholas, who presented the monk with a paper scroll, instructing him to “Take this scroll and eat of it.” The scroll bore the message: “Hasten, O Gracious One, and come to our aid if possible and as You will, for You are the Merciful One.” Upon reading the words written on the scroll, the monk proceeded to eat it, remarking, “How sweet are Thine oracles to my throat” (Ps 118/119:103). Saint Nicholas then urged the monk to sing the words written on the scroll. As the monk sang, a miraculous event unfolded - the shackles binding the saint fell away, the prison doors swung open, and he stepped out into freedom.
In a wondrous turn of events, Joseph found himself being carried through the air and gently placed on a bustling road leading to Constantinople. The divine intervention of Saint Nicholas had brought about a remarkable deliverance for the monk, setting him free from captivity and allowing him to make his way back to Constantinople after enduring over six years of enslavement in Crete.
Upon arriving in Constantinople, Saint Joseph was saddened to learn that Saint Gregory the Dekapolite had reposed. At that time Saint Joseph decided to build a magnificent church dedicated to Saint Nicholas. He also endeavored to transfer the relics of both Saints Gregory and his pupil John, who had also passed away during that time, to this new church. To further commemorate their lives, a monastery was established in close proximity to the church, serving as a place of worship and reflection for future generations.
In his quest to honor the holy Apostle Bartholomew, Saint Joseph received a precious gift from a virtuous individual - a portion of the Apostle's relics. Filled with love and admiration for Saint Bartholomew, Saint Joseph was disheartened to discover that there were no existing hymns or canons dedicated to the revered Apostle. However, he hesitated to compose them himself, feeling unworthy of such a task. Determined to fulfill his desire of adorning the Feast of Saint Bartholomew with hymns, Saint Joseph embarked on a forty-day period of fervent prayer and tears. He sought divine guidance and inspiration, preparing himself for the upcoming feast.
Miraculously, on the eve of the feast, the Apostle Bartholomew appeared to Saint Joseph within the altar. The Apostle bestowed his blessings upon Saint Joseph, pressing the holy Gospel against his bosom. With the Apostle's blessing, Saint Joseph was granted the ability to write church hymns. The Apostle's words resonated deeply within Saint Joseph's heart, as he was blessed with the right hand of the Almighty God, the wisdom of heavenly waters flowing from his tongue, and a heart that became a temple of the Holy Spirit. From that moment on, Saint Joseph dedicated himself to composing hymns and canons not only for Saint Bartholomew, but also in honor of the Mother of God, the saints, and Saint Nicholas, who had once freed him from imprisonment. Joseph is credited with composing over 1,000 hymns.
Despite the resurgence of the iconoclasm heresy, he remained unwavering in his opposition to the movement and was subsequently banished once again, this time to Cherson, for a lengthy period of eleven years. Joseph was released in 842, when Empress Theodora ruled, and he was then granted the prestigious role of safeguarding the Sacred Vessels at the Cathedral of the Holy Wisdom upon his triumphant return, however this reprieve was short lived. Unfortunately, Joseph’s outspoken condemnation of Bardas, the empress's brother, for engaging in an unlawful cohabitation led to his exile once again.
Joseph finally made his way back to Constantinople in 867 following the passing of Bardas. Unfortunately at this point he was of advanced age and declining health. The saint received a final divine message from the Lord indicating that his time on earth was drawing to a close. In light of this revelation, Saint Joseph devoted himself to fervent prayer until his passing, seeking peace for the Church and mercy for his own soul.
Around the year 883, Joseph peacefully departed from this world, leaving behind a lasting legacy. His contributions to the Church endure through the numerous canons found in the Menaion and hymns in the Parakletike that were composed by Saint Joseph the Hymnographer.