Saint Joasaph, Bishop of Belgorod, was born on September 8, 1705, in the town of Priluki, Poltava province, on the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was baptized as Joachim. The future saint came from the ancient pious Gorlenkov family.
At the age of seven, Joachim was sent to study at the Kiev Theological Academy. It was here that he felt called to the monastic life. The young man tested himself for several years, and then informed his parents about his decision. For a long time, the father and mother urged the firstborn not to leave the world, but his choice was firm. In 1725, Joachim secretly received a cassock with the name Hilarion at the Kiev-Mezhyhirsky monastery, and on November 21, 1727, he was tonsured into a mantle with the name Joasaph at the Kiev-Bratsky Monastery.
A year later, Monk Joasaph was ordained a hierodeacon and left to teach at the Kiev Theological Academy. Archbishop Raphael of Kiev, noticing the abilities and spiritual zeal of the young ascetic, entrusted him with the responsible service of an examiner at the Archdiocese of Kiev. In November 1734, Joasaph was ordained a hieromonk, transferred to the Kiev Sophia Episcopal House and appointed a member of the Kiev Spiritual Consistory.
Taking care of the condition of the parishes and the moral life of the clergy, Hieromonk Joasaph gained extensive experience in church administration. At the same time, he invariably combined administrative work with prayer and inner spiritual work. This is evidenced by his work "The battle of seven honest virtues with seven mortal sins."
In 1737, Hieromonk Joasaph was appointed rector of the Holy Transfiguration Monastery of Mgar and elevated to the rank of abbot. He devoted all his efforts to the improvement of the ancient monastery, which was one of the strongholds of Orthodoxy. The relics of St. Athanasius, Patriarch of Constantinople and Wonderworker of Lubinsk, rested in the monastery. According to legend, St. Athanasius repeatedly appeared to Abbot Joasaph, testifying to his patronage.
In 1744, Joasaph was elevated to the rank of archimandrite, and then appointed vicar of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra. In those years, the monastery was being rebuilt after a fire, and the new governor worked selflessly for its revival.
On June 2, 1748, Archimandrite Joasaph was consecrated Bishop of Belgorod in the Peter and Paul Cathedral of St. Petersburg. As head of the diocese, the saint took care of the splendor of the temples, the proper performance of divine services, the education of the clergy and the moral condition of the flock. He personally visited parishes, carefully delved into the needs of clergy and laity, and helped the poor and destitute. The archpastor did not spare his health, devoting all his strength to serving God and people.
Saint Joasaph passed away peacefully on December 10, 1754. His veneration began shortly after his death, and on September 4, 1911, the solemn glorification of the archpastor of Belgorod took place.
St. Joasaph's life became an example of firm faith, humility, spiritual prudence, and selfless service to the Church. Today, believers turn to him with prayers for strengthening in faith, help in life's trials and healing from diseases.