Bishops from the Macedonian, Romanian, Serbian, and Bulgarian Orthodox Churches, along with a priest from the Orthodox Church of Albania, took part in joint celebrations honoring St. Joakim of Osogovo at the monastery dedicated to him near the town of Kriva Palanka in North Macedonia.

Festive services were held on August 28 and 29 under the new calendar. On the eve of the saint’s feast day, Metropolitan Jacob of Dorostol of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church presided over Vespers. Metropolitan Vissarion of Tulcea of the Romanian Orthodox Church and Macedonian bishops Gregory and Joseph also attended.

The Divine Liturgy on the feast day was led by Metropolitan Vissarion. He was joined by Metropolitan Jacob, Bishop Ilarion of Novobrd, vicar of Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, and hierarchs of the Macedonian Orthodox Church. Priest Nikola Kodeli of the Orthodox Church of Albania also took part in the service.

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Metropolitan Vissarion presented the monastery with a cross made in Romania for the blessing of the community.

St. Joakim of Osogovo is one of the most venerated saints of the medieval Orthodox tradition in the Balkans. He lived as a hermit in the Osogovo Mountains, probably during the late 11th or early 12th century. Few reliable details about his origins and life have survived, with his principal biography preserved in manuscript copies.

According to tradition, Joakim lived in a cave, devoting himself to prayer, fasting, and solitude. His veneration spread after his death, and the site of his ascetic life eventually developed into an important monastic center. He is regarded as one of the great South Slavic hermits, and his name remains closely associated with the Osogovo Mountains.

The history of the monastery itself dates back, according to the saint’s life, to the 12th century. A widowed priest named Theodore is said to have become a monk under the name Theophan, settled in the area, founded a brotherhood, and built a church dedicated to Joakim. Tradition holds that the saint’s relics were later transferred there.

St. Joakim of Osogovo is commemorated on August 16 according to the Julian calendar, corresponding to August 29 under the new calendar.