April 4, the Church celebrates St. Joseph, the Songwriter

Saint Joseph's homeland was Sicily, born of pious and improved parents, namely Plotinus and Agathia, to whom, for their life pleasing to God, it was their part to give birth to a fruit like this, who was of good use to the entire Holy Church and who later became a writer of hymns, adorning the Church with hymns and canons.

This child was raised in good book teaching and instructed in good habits; so that even in his childish habits one could see the habits of the improved man, who was to be perfected. Because he was meek and humble, alienating himself from childish games, loving the fasting and abstinence of childhood; because he did not seek sweet dishes, but only ate bread and water, even in the evenings. Then he increased greatly in the teaching of the divine Scriptures.

Thus, while the child was growing up in body and spirit, the barbarians invaded a part of Sicily, and his parents were forced to flee from their homeland to other parts. So Joseph went with them to the Peloponnese first, then, leaving his parents for God, he went to Thessalonica, the Metropolitan of Macedonia. Here, entering a monastery, he tonsured himself into the monastic order, where he became well accustomed to the labors of the ascetic, going through all kinds of hardships of the monastic life, fulfilling without laziness every good deed, so that he became a perfect man and a skilled monk.

His bed was the earth covered with a skin, his clothing was a useless old thing, his fasting was harsh, his food, a small piece of bread and water in moderation. He would watch all night, always kneeling, singing with his mouth forever and working constantly. Then he would engage in reading divine books, filling himself with wisdom and spiritual understanding. He was among the brothers like an angel of God, shining through the image of his honest and holy life, whose good deeds and many asceticisms cannot be told in detail. Thus blessed Joseph, with good pleasure serving God more than others, was forced by the abbot and the brothers to take the priesthood and was ordained a priest by the bishop of Thessalonica. In this holy order he strove for greater asceticism and labor, often celebrating the divine Mysteries, praying with tears for himself and for everyone. Going to that monastery, Venerable Gregory the Decapolis and seeing Venerable Joseph, he recognized that he was a holy man; therefore he loved him greatly and made him his friend and fellow-respondent.

After some time, going to Byzantium to strengthen the believers who were troubled by heretics at that time, he asked the abbot and the brothers to give Joseph help, because he did not want to part with him. But the brothers and the abbot did not want to part with such a fellow-living person, who was a true servant of God. However, not ignoring the request of the great abbot, and considering also the need of the Church which was being enveloped by the storm of heretics, they let the blessed Joseph go with Saint Gregory the Decapolis to Byzantium. Going there, they lived at the church of the Holy Martyrs Sergius and Vakh and tired themselves out by the harsh life, coveting each other, but especially Blessed Joseph following the oldest ascetic, the great Father Gregory. Having him as an example, he set in his heart every day many efforts to accomplish good deeds. And they both labored with all their might, teaching the faithful to guard against the harm of heretics, not to be disturbed or to doubt the dogmas of the true faith, but to be strong in confessing the truth. For at that time, the wicked emperor Leo the Armenian, renewing the accursed heresy of iconoclasm, had raised great persecution against the Church, rejecting the holy icons from the churches of God and trampling them underfoot, without honor. He worked the faithful pastors, expelling them from their seats in many ways and destroying them, and in their place he put heretics who were of one mind with him.

Then Saint Gregory, together with Saint Joseph, wearing the armor of faith, walked through the streets of the city, through the market and through the houses of the faithful, advising them, urging them and begging them not to be deceived by the cunning of the heretics. And their words were like the morning dew, which revived the flowers and grass of the field that had withered by the breath of the day, because they revived the human hearts that were grieving and doubting, as if they were withering by the breath of heretical teachings.

After that, the Venerable Gregory was asked by the multitude of monks to send Blessed Joseph to ancient Rome, as one skilled in words and as one who, with bodily strength, could endure the hardship of the long journey, to the faithful Pope, who was then Leo the Third, and to all there, to tell them about the persecution that was being carried out in Constantinople against the Holy Church, if only somehow the faithful there would be able to help them, being oppressed, and to overthrow their unjust heretical dogmas, to stop their blasphemous mouths.

So, the Venerable Gregory advised the blessed Joseph, saying to him: “Now, my son, it is time for you to show the fervor of your love for God and your zeal for the true faith. Go to ancient Rome, proclaim there to the gentle shepherd and to all those in the West the true faith, and how many dangers the one with the name of the beast, the wicked emperor in the East, brought upon the Holy Church. How he spat on and trampled on the icon of Christ and of His Most Pure Mother, and how he took away the adornment of the Church and unjustly expelled the good shepherds, and sent the false shepherds, the hired ones and his own ravening wolves into the flock of Christ, so that his sheep are snatched away and scattered. Tell how, every day, the Church of Christ is enveloped by the lying storm of the ruler, and how the terrible Leo, who came from Armenia, roar with terror and swallow many with its heretical cunning. Proclaim, exhort and pray to draw out the sword of the word of God and stand against those who persecute us!”

Saint Gregory spoke these and other things like this, and the blessed Joseph, who from his youth had been well accustomed to obedience, did not say anything against it, but humbly bowing his head, asking his father's prayers and blessing for the journey, he boarded the ship and set out. But the unknown judgment of God willed otherwise. For God, who orders all things for good, through those things that do not seem to us to be suitable and unwieldy, sometimes does wonderful and glorious things beyond hope, for the remembrance of His Holy Name. So also the way to Rome of Joseph, according to the order of God, happened in this way: Those who were of one mind with Emperor Leo the Armenian for that heresy, the servants and helpers of his tyranny. Having learned that many from the imperial city were fleeing to other countries, fleeing from the iconoclasts, they secretly arranged robber ambushes on the roads by water and land, so that, catching those who were fleeing, they could return them to the hands of the iconoclasts. Therefore, the departure of the Venerable Joseph, sent by the faithful monks to the West, that is, to Rome, was not concealed.

So, the robbers, who were stationed at sea for that purpose, came out before him, and the Saint fell into the hands of his enemies, who, plundering the ship and seizing all who were with the Saint Joseph, sent them to Crete to the persecutors of icons. There the Saint, being put in heavy chains, was thrown into prison, where there were a multitude of other prisoners, suffering with him for the true faith. Saint Joseph comforted all those bound day and night with words inspired by God, alone rejoicing in his Lord, and saying to the others:

"What can be sweeter and more joyful than these chains, with which, for the love of Christ and for His holy icon, we are bound! Although we endure hardships in these short-term bonds, nevertheless it is fitting for us to thank God for this suffering, having a living example in Saint Paul, who, considering the chains as golden ornaments, rejoiced unspeakably that he was counted worthy to suffer such things for the name of Jesus Christ. But above all, Christ himself suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow Him, Who did no sin, and spoke no revilings, and, suffering, did not fear, as the Holy Apostle Peter says. It is truly some trouble from the pains felt by the body, but it is impossible for anyone to be called a bearer of the yoke of Christ, if he does not follow Him.

Enduring the same sufferings that He endured for us, God being Almighty, Who could in some other way also save man, but He willed well, that from labors and joys that power of good deeds would be born, which can open the door of heaven, which has long been locked. Therefore, He showed us no other way to salvation, but only that through labors and tribulations. For what gift should we trouble ourselves, putting our health in suffering for the Holy Icon of the Savior and the Most Pure Mother of God? For thus resisting the command of the wicked emperor, we will gain the gift of God and help in good time.

With these and similar words, Saint Joseph consoled and strengthened those who were bound with him, who were imprisoned for the veneration of icons. It happened that a certain righteous bishop, who was also persecuted for the veneration of holy icons, was thrown there with them. He, unable to endure the hardships of the prison, was troubled by thoughts like a man and, like a ship, was very much overwhelmed, and was close to drowning. For now he began to agree to the heresy of the persecution of icons, in order to free himself from the bonds and dangers in which he was.

Saint Joseph, understanding his distress, spoke many words to him, shed many tears, begging and advising him not to hesitate to die for the sake of the icon of Christ and for Christ himself. And it was not in vain that the words of God were inspired in him. For the bishop was so strengthened by him that even in the terrible labors he did not deny his good faith, but with courage and greatness of soul he endured to the end. For when he brought him to trial and saw the workers and the tools of labor, he was not at all afraid, but himself, stripping himself of his clothes, willingly gave himself up to the beatings, desiring death a thousand times, if it were possible for him to endure for the sake of Christ God Who became incarnate, Who is represented by the painting of icons. So, being hanged naked at work and pierced with arrows, and at the end being struck on the head with a large stone, he gave up his spirit to the Lord.

Blessed Joseph, learning of the martyr's end of the bishop, rejoiced greatly in his indomitable manhood and thanked Christ, Who strengthened His chosen soldier for such an asceticism, who, although he had slipped a little, nevertheless, straightening up well, defeated the enemy. Saint Joseph also delivered many others from spiritual perdition and sent them forward to Christ, teaching them unceasingly on the path of salvation. And he alone guarded himself from death by God, so that for the benefit of many, his life might be prolonged.

The Saint suffered in that prison for six years, and the terrible end of the wicked emperor Leo the Armenian came. For on the night of the feast of the Nativity of Christ, he was killed by his soldiers in the church, at the singing of Matins. And at the same hour, the Venerable Joseph was informed of the loss of that tyrant in the prison of Crete and was miraculously freed from his bonds, through the appearance to him of the Holy Hierarch Nicholas. Because Saint Joseph spent that entire night without sleep, singing the hymns of the feast and praying, at the crowing of the roosters a light shone in the prison and a man of holy decency and honor, dressed in hierarchal vestments, gray-haired, with a radiant face, stood before him, speaking to him: "I have come to you from Myra in Lycia, having been sent by God, to quickly bring you glad tidings; for the enemy who troubled the Church and scattered the sheep of Christ has been deprived of his kingdom and life, having been summoned to the judgment of God. Therefore, now it behooves you to return to Constantinople and, with the gift of the Holy Spirit that dwells in you, to strengthen many." Saying this, he gave him a paper and said: "Take this paper and eat it." And the letter was this: "Hurry, O Merciful One, and strive as a Merciful One to help us, for you can, if you wish."

Joseph, taking that paper and reading it, swallowed it with joy and said: “How sweet are these words to my throat”. And the one who had appeared to him commanded him to sing those words and, singing them with joy, immediately he saw his chains and fetters untied and falling from his neck, from his hands and feet and he heard the Holy Hierarch Nicholas, saying to him: “Rise and follow me”. And, rising, he went out of the prison, the doors opening of themselves, and the guards of the prison knew nothing of this. Then it was seen that he was carried through the air by an invisible divine power and in a short time he found himself in Constantinople, on the great road that leads to the city, glorifying God for such a glorious miracle.

After Saint Joseph entered the city, he did not find among the living his beloved father, Saint Gregory the Decapolis, because he had gone to the Lord. But he saw only John his disciple and wept much for his father Gregory, because he was not worthy to see him alive again; and he stood by his grave with Father John. Then after a long time John also went to the Lord and buried him near Saint Gregory. After that, the Venerable Joseph moved to another special and quiet place, outside the city, not far from the church of Saint John Chrysostom. There, settling, he built a church in the name of the archpriest of Christ, Nicholas, and brought there the relics of both his fathers, of Saint Gregory the Decapolis and of John. Then he founded a monastery there and gathered brothers, and crowds of spiritual and lay people always came to him to listen to his teachings inspired by God; for the gift of the Holy Spirit flowed like a river from his mouth, through the words spoken with sweetness.

The venerable Joseph, once going to Thessaly, acquired a good part of the relics of the Holy Apostle Bartholomew, which he placed with honor in the monastery. And he often deigned to see him in a dream, for he had great love and faith towards him, desiring to adorn the feast of that holy apostle with songs of praise, but he did not dare, doubting whether the holy apostle would be pleased with that thing or not. He prayed fervently to God and His apostle, that he might be given knowledge of this and wisdom might be given to him from above, so that he might write well the hymns.

So, having prayed for this for forty days, with fasting and tears, and the day of the commemoration of that apostle was approaching, at the Vespers of the feast he saw the Holy Apostle Bartholomew, appearing in the altar dressed in white clothes, the altar curtain being raised, and he called him to him. Joseph going closer, the Holy Apostle took the book of the Holy Gospel from the divine table and placed it on Joseph's chest, saying to him: "May the right hand of Almighty God bless you and may heavenly waters of wisdom flow from your tongue, may your heart become the seat of the Holy Spirit, and may the whole world be sweetened by your songs."
Having said this, the Holy Apostle Bartholomew disappeared; and the Venerable Joseph, overcome with unspeakable joy and feeling the gift of wisdom within himself, was filled with complete gratitude. And from that hour he began to write church hymns and canon songs, adorning not only the feast of the Holy Apostle Bartholomew, but also those of many saints. But especially the Most Pure Mother of God he honored with many canons, as well as the Holy Hierarch Nicholas, and filled the Holy Church with his beautiful hymns, from which he also earned the title of writer of hymns.

After that, when Theophilus reigned, the storm of iconoclasm again arose over the Church, and many were persecuted and labored. Then also our Venerable Father Joseph, the writer of hymns, for his bold rebuke of heresy, was banished to Cherson, where he spent time in chains and torments until the death of Theophilus. Then, after his death, he was summoned to Constantinople by Empress Theodora, who reigned with her son Michael and had had the true faith together with the most holy Patriarch Methodius. And after the removal of Saint Methodius, Saint Ignatius took the throne, at that time Saint Joseph was appointed by her as the keeper of the vessels of the great divine Church of the imperial city. And he was greatly loved by the most holy patriarch, as well as by the entire spiritual and secular order, for his improved life and for the very wise and soul-beneficial teachings that came from his tongue, through which he advised many on the path of salvation. But after a few years he suffered expulsion again from Barda, the brother of the empress, who was the first ruler after the emperor, for the rebuke of lawlessness. For, having expelled from him without fault his lawful wife, he took as his wife another woman, his relative, violating the church laws and not fearing God or being ashamed of men. The Venerable Joseph rebuked him, as Saint John the Forerunner once rebuked Herod. For this he was exiled and tortured by him, as was the most holy Patriarch Ignatius, for he too endured exile and many dangers from the lawless Barda.

Then, after Barda was killed by the imperial servants, perishing with a sound, and after him and the emperor Michael being likewise deprived of life by his own people, Basil of Macedon took the kingdom. Then they returned to Constantinople and Saint Ignatius with Saint Joseph. So, Ignatius again took his throne and Joseph again the foremost honor of keeping the vessels. And not only to the most holy Ignatius, but also to Photius, who was after him in the patriarchate, Saint Joseph, the writer of hymns, was loved and honored. Because that patriarch had entrusted all the church order to the Venerable and called him a man of God and an angel in the flesh and the father of the fathers. So he commanded all his clergy to have Saint Joseph as their spiritual father, revealing to him their consciences and confessing their mistakes. The saint was also a seer before, seeing in advance the hidden errors. However, he did not rebuke the wrongdoer, but with exhorting words he taught him, until, humbling himself, the one who confessed, spoke his own hidden iniquity; for he was strong in the words inspired by God, and could easily turn sinners to repentance.

And after he had spent many years and had reached a very old age, his body weakened from the many hardships in which he had been since his youth, on the one hand striving as a hermit, and on the other enduring exile, bonds, and prisons for the sake of righteousness. Then, keeping the church order and adorning with songs the feasts and commemorations of the saints, he also cared much for the salvation of human souls. So, close to death, he fell ill when the days of the Holy Fast of forty days were ending, having received a warning in his sleep from God about his imminent death.

So, on the Great Good Friday of the Passion of Christ, having written all the vessels and things of the church entrusted to him, he sent them to the most holy Patriarch Photius and was preparing to leave, praying to God and saying: "I thank You, Lord my God, that in the shadow of Your wings You have kept me all the days of my life. And now until the end, guard my spirit and grant me that I may escape without harm from the devils of darkness and the terrors of the air; so that my enemy may not rejoice over me, because of my ignorance and the mistakes I have made in my life.

Guard Your flock, O Word of the Father, and all Yours built with Your right hand, defend them until the end of the age. Be a helper to the beloved sons of Your Church. Grant to Your bride - the Holy Church - eternal peace and unshakable comfort. Enlighten her royal holiness with Your gifts. Subdue the proud Veliar under the feet of those who defend the true faith, and expel all soul-harming heresies from Your Church, and grant to my soul that in peace and meekness it may depart from this body. Although I am not among Your saints and beloved ones in whom the Holy Spirit has dwelt, for I know that I am a sinner before You, yet You, being the immeasurable goodness, do not look into my faults, but make me worthy of the portion of Your children. Amen”.

Thus praying, the Venerable Joseph, partaking of the divine Mysteries and giving a blessing to all those who were near him, raised his hands to heaven, with a bright and joyful face, and gave up his holy soul to God. And immediately a multitude of monks and laymen gathered from everywhere, many of whom were weeping, some calling him their father, some their nourisher, others their benefactor, others their comforter, and still others their teacher, guide, and guide of their salvation, and they buried him with honor and praise in the tomb.

But more honorable and glorious was the reception of his holy soul in the heavenly courts by the immortal spirits. This was made possible by the sight of a beloved friend of his, who was not far away, being a righteous man and pleasing to God. For at that hour, when his beloved soul, separating from the body, was going to heaven to God, that man heard a voice from on high, saying to him: "Go out of the house and see the wonderful mysteries of God!" And he went out and looked up, and saw the heavenly circle split in two and the companies of the saints coming out from there. First went the company of the Apostles; then of the Martyrs, then of the prophets, and after this of the high priests.

Seeing such wonderful things, the man was amazed with fear and did not understand what this was. Then again he heard a voice: “Look and pay attention, for all that you have seen will be shown to you!” And immediately he saw four young men, some more luminous than others, and between them walked a Virgin with unspeakable glory and honor. That was the Most Pure and Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Christ our God. As she walked, she commanded the companies of holy men to receive that holy soul, who praised their deeds and memorials and followed them with life. Then he could see everyone with unspeakable joy and striving with love to receive such an honest face as this, who was ascending to heaven.

Seeing such things, that man thought to himself, saying: “Who is this whom the hosts of heavenly beings are deserving of such honor?” Then he heard the voice of the angels who were carrying that holy soul and who spoke with a loud voice: “This is Joseph the writer of hymns, the adorner of the whole Church, who, being deserving of the gift of the Holy Spirit, followed the lives of the apostles and martyrs and wrote down their deeds; for this reason he now receives honor and praise from the same saints.”

Thus the soul of the psalmist Joseph, the psalmist, went up to the heavenly realms with dancing. And the man who saw this was filled with inexpressible joy, in such a glorious vision. But he was seized with great sorrow, for he was not worthy to see more of that glory, how that blessed soul entered into the realms above, how before the most luminous light of God in the Trinity he stood and worshipped.

Yet another announcement for this heavenly celebration of the Venerable Joseph was made in this way. There was in Constantinople a church of the Holy Martyr Theodore, who was called Fanerot, that is, the one who shows, because the stolen or hidden or lost things he showed to those who ran to him with prayer. Fleeing from a man, a very needy servant, and whose flight the man was saddened by, he went to the church of Saint Theodore the Fanerot and performed his prayers, begging the martyr of Christ to show him his servant. And spending three days and three nights near the church and nothing happening, he was saddened and wanted to go. So it was the time of Matins and a word useful to the soul was read in the church; and that man, while he was reading, having slept a little, saw the saint appear to him and say to him: "Why are you sad, man? Joseph, the song-maker, parting from the body, I was by his side; and when he died this night, his soul, who honored us with canons and songs, was carried to heaven by all of us and went before the face of God. That is why I delayed in not showing myself to you. And now, behold, I am here, listening to your request. So go to such and such a place - telling him the name of the place - and there you will find your servant, whom you seek."

Both of these announcements prove to us what kind of glory the Venerable Joseph earned from God for his labors and from the saints of God honor and praise in the heavenly places, where now, standing before the throne of God, he sings angelic songs, glorifying and praising the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God in Trinity, forever. Amen.

Note: This Venerable Joseph, a writer of hymns, lived during the reign of Nicephorus, Michael the Curopalate, Leo the Armenian, Michael the Valvos, Theophilus and Michael his son, who, together with his mother Theodora, reigned and was committed during the reign of Basil the Great, in the year 6391 from the creation of the world, and 883 from the incarnation of the Word of God, on the fourth day of April, in the bright week of the Resurrection of Christ, on the night of Bright Wednesday, towards Bright Thursday. And then it was the Paschal letter, the Easter of Christ.
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It is also worth knowing that there are two saints named Joseph, writers of hymns. The first, Joseph, bishop of Thessalonica, good brother of the Venerable Theodore the Studite, whose memorial is on January 26; and another Joseph is this Venerable, who was the keeper of the vessels of the Great Church. And the canons made by them are known in that way. Where at the beginning of the canon it is written "The Making of Cyrus Joseph", you should know that it is Saint Joseph the first, the brother of the Studite, bishop of Thessalonica, because that word "cyrus", is a sign of great honor and authority, such as the episcopate. And where it is written without the addition of "cyrus", you should understand that it is the second, the Venerable Joseph, who was not a bishop, but only a hieromonk and abbot, keeper of the vessels of the Great Church of Constantinople.