First ofJune 2009 in the early morning hours on Mount Athos died the Blessed Elder Joseph of Vatopaidi
Elder Joseph in the history of the Orthodox Church will be remembered as a spiritual child of one of the most widely know holy Elders of today, the holy man Joseph Hesychast. Also, he will be known as an elder and spiritual father of the monastic brotherhood on the Vatopaidi monastery on Mount Athos. Moreover he will be know by his smile of Eternity.

In the last years of his life he retired to a small cell located near Vatopaidi monastery. He wanted to prepare for his departure from this world.

When someone would ask him: How are you Father?
He would frequently answer: “I’m alright, I’m waiting for the train to come and take me to my homeland (referring to the Kingdom of Heaven), but it’s late, I don’t know what’s keeping it?»

In the last few months before his repose, the elder would perform the whole liturgy   by heart, even in his dreams.

The last day of his earthly life, around 10 am, the elder asked the monk who served him: “Today I’m leaving, as i can feel the death approaching»
The monk replied: “As God is willing, it will be, father»

A few hours later he said: “What are these demons doing here?»
A little later he asked the monk nearby : “These saints who came, what are they doing here? Have they come to help us? »
The monk replied:” Yes father, they came to help us. »

During Vespers, the Elder performed the liturgy by heart ,but at one point he asked one of the monks “What is the next chapter?”
Around 2:20 am the Elder passed away.

The Abbot of the monastery Elder Ephraim and the entire fraternity were immediately informed. His arms were crossed on his chest and tied with a prayer rope. His expression was quite calm, as if asleep. But his mouth was left ajar.
According to the rule, the monks are buried  completely wrapped and stitched in mantija(robe). The Abbot told them to wrap him in his mantija(robe), but once that was completed he asked them to uncover his face. Some of the brothers told him it might be uncomfortable to unveil his  face because of his slightly open mouth and it will look ugly. But the Abbot remained firm on his decision and asked them to adhere to his blessing. Placing a gauze under the jaw and wrapping it around his head, they tried to close his mouth, but failed.

To complete everything that was required and by the time everyone gathered around the coffin of Elder Joseph under the small church that was dedicated to Joseph Hesychast, which was within his cell, they needed 45 mins.

When they unveiled his face,  everyone was stunned. Instead an open mouth, they saw a blessed smile on his face. His mouth was closed, his cheeks were raised and set as smiling at someone. That, One, can’t be anyone else but only God together with Our Lady and All the Saints in the Kingdom of Heaven.

The present contribution describes a miracle that, as far as we know, is almost unheard of in the entire history of Christianity. The deceased person (Elder Joseph of Vatopaidi) smiled. Impressive is the fact, that this smile occurred 45 minutes after his death.

From the moment of death, all organs stop their function: the heart, the brain, the lungs, the muscles e.t.c. As far as concerns the muscles, it is well known, that when someone dies, they become rigid (muscular stiffness). For this reason, from the moment of death, no mattter how hard somebody tries, it is very difficult to move (by using normal means – ways), e.g. the arms or other parts of the dead person’s body.

This was the case with Elder Joseph of Vatopaidi as well: when he died, his mouth was open. No matter how hard the monks tried, they could not manage to keep it closed. This phenomenon (from a biomedical viewpoint) is due to the earlier mentioned muscular stiffness.

A person who is alive can smile, because the facial muscles can contract, but nobody, due to the muscular stiffness, can bring the facial muscles of a deceased person in such a position, that the dead smiles. Therefore we believe that the smile of the elder Joseph’s smile, is from the joy of the meeting with the Lord, whom the Elder had boundless love for. A smile from eternity.