Venerable Abba Joseph of Alaverdi, One of the Thirteen Syrian Fathers (+570)
The holy father Joseph of Alaverdi was a disciple of Saint John of Zedazeni (commemorated 7 May), who in the sixth century came from Syria to Georgia accompanied by twelve disciples, to revive Christianity and monasticism in the country. At that time, it is true, the Apostolic Church of Georgia already had a history of several centuries, but unbelief was still strong: “unbelief had nowhere died down, but almost prevailed.”
By the will of God and led by the life-giving Cross, Abba Joseph settled in Kakheti, at the place where the cathedral of Alaverdi now stands. According to tradition, Abba Joseph always carried with him a cross cut from the wood of that Cross on which our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ suffered.
Alaverdi was a wild place, impassable for men and barren. The venerable father endured many afflictions, privations and dangers: he lived “alone, serving God alone”, in strict labour, deprived of every earthly comfort.
To Father Joseph, who had entered upon the labour of solitude in the dwelling of wild beasts, the Lord sent a nobleman who was a hunter, who had come out to hunt in those parts with many servants. As soon as the hunter saw the holy father, he understood that a God-clad man stood before him; he leapt from his horse, approached him with reverence, kissed him, and humbly asked who he was and why he was there.
With God’s help the venerable father planted in him perfect faith and an irrepressible desire for divine love and for drawing near to the truth. The noble hunter promised Father Joseph that he would build a church in the desert of Alaverdi, and he fulfilled his promise: he laid the foundation of the monastery of Alaverdi. The venerable father rejoiced greatly at the accomplishing of a work pleasing to God.
Soon people heard of the holy monk and began to come here to see the wonderful father and hear his teaching. And Saint Joseph preached unceasingly and gave counsel and instruction. By his unfailing labour unbelief was rooted out in this region and the worship of God was strengthened. Of the people whom the monk’s holy life, love and miracles drew into the desert, many stayed there to labour. Little by little the number of the desert-dwellers grew and formed a great community. The holy father Joseph of Alaverdi was both the first superior and the teacher of the brotherhood.
Weakened in body by long labour and toil, the saint sensed the approach of his end; he gathered his disciples, instructed them, blessed them, appointed a superior for them, and reposed in peace.
The disciples buried the body of Saint Joseph with great honour in the church of Alaverdi that he had built. Many miracles take place at the venerable father’s grave.
