Born in Sicily, of pious and benevolent parents, Plotinus and Agathias. After the death of his parents, he moved to Thessaloniki, where he became a monk. As a monk, he would be a role model for everyone in fasting, extreme abstinence, constant prayer, psalm-singing, vigil and hard work. The Thessaloniki bishop ordained him a hieromonk. The famous Gregory the Decapolitan, visiting Thessaloniki, fell in love with Joseph with his soul and heart because of his rare character, and took him with him to his monastery in Constantinople. When the flames of the iconoclastic heresy flare up again under Leo the Armenian, this Joseph would be sent to Rome, to invite the Pope and the Roman Church to fight for the true faith. But on the way he was caught by pirates and brought to Crete, where heretics kept him in prison for 6 years. Joseph rejoiced that he was worthy to suffer for Christ, and he constantly thanked God for it, considering the iron chains on him as ornaments of gold. In the sixth year, on Christmas Day, in the morning, the evil emperor Leo would be killed at the morning service in the church. At that very hour, St. Nikolai Joseph in the prison and said to him: "get up and follow me!" Joseph felt as if lifted into the air; and for once he shaved before Constantinople. All the orthodox rejoice at his arrival. He sang canons and verses to many saints. He had the gift of clairvoyance, which is why Patriarch Photius made him a priest and confessor to the clergy, recommending him as: "a man of God, an angel in the flesh, a father of fathers". In old age, he surrendered his spirit to the Lord, whom he faithfully served both by work and song. He ended peacefully in the eyes of Great Thursday 883.

Holy Martyr Fevruta. Venerable Zosimus. Venerable Martyr Nikita. Easter fast.