On Friday, August 29, the afterfeast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, when the Church commemorates the Image of Christ "Not-Made-by-Hands," His Grace Luke, Bishop of Syracuse and monastery abbot, tonsured Deacon John Kern to the Lesser Schema. He was given the name of Joseph in honor of Venerable Joseph the Hesychast.

Hierodeacon Joseph has joined the brotherhood, and we wish him God’s help in his monastic struggles.