Docudrama for Saint Joseph the Hesychast (1897-1959) | Official Video

Saint Joseph the Hesychast (1897-1959) | Official Video

A sixty-five minute dramatised documentary on the life of Saint Joseph the Hesychast (1897-1959)

Saint Joseph the Hesychast was born in Paros in 1897. Longing for the ascetic life, he went to Mount Athos at the age of 23. His entire life reads like a story from the lives of the saints, reminiscent of the desert ascetics of old. A true exponent of the patristic tradition, Saint Joseph contributed to the renewal of Athonite monasticism and modern Orthodox monasticism in general. Today, some 2,000 monks and nuns throughout the world trace their spiritual paternity to him. He became an experienced, discerning and straightforward guide to the spiritual life for both monks and lay people. St Joseph was an extreme ascetic and hesychast, but he also showed an unparalleled interest and special pastoral concern for Christians in the world. He continues to spiritually strengthen monks and the faithful through his letters and texts, which have a strong pastoral character and reflect the Saint's interest in the salvation of the whole world.

St Joseph the Hesychast is played by Jonathan Jackson, a Hollywood actor and musician who has won five Emmy Awards. Jonathan Jackson also narrates the documentary.

At the 2019 London Greek Film Festival, the documentary received five awards from the festival committee, including the award for the video accompanying the song "A Prayer for All" with verses by Saint Joseph and the arrangement by Alexandros Fotinos. The music for the song was composed by Andreas Katsigiannis, as was the music for the entire documentary.

Among other awards, the jury gave jury the Best Creative Documentary Award to the Institute of Saint Maximus the Greek for the production of Saint Joseph the Hesychast,, and the Best Actor Award to Hollywood actor and singer Jonathan Jackson for the role of Saint Joseph in the documentary.

In addition, a Special Mention Award was given to the monks of the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos for their editing and participation in the documentary, while an Honorary Award was presented to the same monks for their spiritual and social contribution to the world.



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