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.
