The story of Elder Iosif’s smile from eternity

Dear Mr. Papanikolaou,

Shortly after the interment of Elder Iosif, you published on your site an article entitled ‘The funeral of the late Elder Iosif Vatopaidinos – a smile from eternity’, with a brief description of the event, accompanied by photographs. The photograph of the deceased, smiling not only with his lips but also the whole of his face, has made a great impression on people and we’ve realized this from the many articles and comments on a number of web-sites.

It’s true that we do encounter deceased persons with radiant faces, with a peaceful expression, at profound rest, but with a smile? On the one hand, all the spiritual Fathers agree that the moment of death is terrible for people, and, on the other, we learn from the writings of the Elders that those who have been most advanced spiritually, do not, out of humility, take any liberties before they pass on to the next life, where there is no longer any danger. Besides, Elder Iosif had a heart condition because of which he suffered considerably. So how did he die with a smile?

The answer is that he didn’t depart this life with a smile on his face, but that he smiled after his demise.

Following a discussion with some of the fathers of the Monastery, we can bring you the narrative of the way the events unfolded.

There were two monks who were with him until his last moments and they hurried to tell Elder Efraim and the other monks. So they effectively abandoned the deceased, who lay for some time with his mouth half-open.

Then everybody came to prepare him in accordance with the monastic rule. Elder Efraim gave the order to leave his face uncovered. They actually tied some gauze to keep his mouth closed, but once they removed it, his mouth fell open again. This was about 45 minutes after his demise.

‘Elder, he looks bad with is mouth open. What should we do?’

‘Leave him as he is. Don’t cover his face’.

As is customary, they sewed him into the monastic cloak. The whole process of placing him in the cloak and sewing it took about another 45 minutes. After this, they cut away the cloth around his face, as they’d been told to do, and it was then that they all found the Elder smiling. Had he heard them and done them this favour so that they wouldn’t be sad? Or did he want to give them some idea about what he saw and the situation in which he found himself after his departure from the present life?

Elder Iosif’s smile is the first supernatural event to occur after his demise and has been a great consolation to everyone.