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The Life of Saint Joseph of Maramures

Joseph Stoica was born in a small village in Nasaud, Romania in an orthodox family of simple and committed people.
He acquired his first knowledge from the orthodox priests and monks in the sketes and churches located in Maramures land.

After he spent some years being a priest, he was elected bishop in 1660, and ordained by Metropolitan Dosoftei in Moldavia, for the Maramures land. He was first sent to Saint Michael Monastery from Peri, then moved near Hust, and then, by the end of his ministry, established his headquarters in Giulesti and Budesti Monasteries from Maramures.
As a bishop, he was restless and had great care, compassion and love for his flock. He defended the orthodox teachings against the Catholics, with a rare ability for those times, using the great weapon of spoken and written word, daring the foreign government from Maramures to take action.

In 1701, Bishop Joseph was called to Vienna (Austria) and asked to convert to Catholicism but he refused. He was, then summoned to Sibiu (Romania) to be questioned before the Transylvanian Government. The history says that Bishop Joseph showed up without any fear and defended himself with dignity and courage. Nevertheless, this courage cost him his liberty. He was put in unlimited detention, but he was released after a while, thanks to the pressure made by ministers and parishioners from Maramures.

In March 1705, Bishop Joseph was incarcerated once again in Hust, this time without any notice or trial. However, he was released by the end of the year, but having no right to serve anymore and being deposed from all his episcopate rights.

In 1711 he was reappointed to the episcopate chair, but he died soon after that, following a long and painful suffering, but deeply satisfied that he consciously and faithfully served the orthodox precepts and tradition until the end of his life.

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church canonized him in 1992.

  




Saint Joseph of Maramures Holy Relics.

Up to this day there is no information about where the remains of Saint Joseph would be. There are a few theories about the location of his grave but none of them properly investigated.

It is rather curios that the Romanian Patriarchate canonized Saint Joseph of Maramures in June 20th, 1992 as a "Saint who lived in Romania - Maramures" but nobody - including Prof. Dr. Mircea Pacurar - tells us where exactly are his holy relics.

Of course it would be a great honour for our Romanian community to have the Saint Joseph's relics here, in our Church in Hazleton, but until the Patriarchate investigates this matter, we hope and pray to our good Lord to illuminate our souls with the light of understanding and heavenly wisdom.