Saint Joseph the Confessor of Maramures

Commemorated on April 24.

Saint Joseph was born in the seventeenth century, and was consecrated as a bishop in Moldavia (northern Romania) in 1690 by Metropolitan Dositheus. This was a period of great trials and sufferings for the people of Maramures (in northern Romania) because the Roman Catholic authorities wanted to wipe out Orthodoxy in the region.

St Joseph was a zealous defender of the Orthodox Faith, and therefore he was jailed by the civil authorities. He died in 1711 after suffering for the truth and defending his flock.

St Joseph the Confessor was glorified by the Orthodox Church of Romania in 1992.

Troparion

Great servant of God, Holy Hierarch Father Joseph,
we honor and remember your name in songs.
For by confessing Christ in Maramureş
1
and defending the true Faith,
you became the protector of your flock.
Therefore, pray to Christ God to save our souls.

Kontakion

You were revealed to your flock as a guide and most gentle teacher of the faithful,
and serving with humility, you confessed Christ.
Wherefore, with ceaseless praise we sing to you saying,
“Rejoice, Holy Hierarch Father Joseph,
protector of the Orthodox of Maramureş.”
1
Pronounced Mara MUR esh.