Joseph Analytinus

Holy Venerable Joseph Analytinus was a strict ascetic of the desert of Raithu, near Sinai, in the fourth century. He reached such spiritual height that during prayer he was wrapped in flames.

His nickname comes from his place of origin, the city of Aila, today Eilat in Israel. He is mentioned in the Word of the monk Ammonius on the martyrs of Sinai and Raithu. He struggled in the region of Raithu, where he built himself a hut in a waterless place. One day a monk who came to him for counsel saw him pray for several hours enveloped in flames. Learning of this, Joseph left his dwelling.

His disciple Gelasius came to visit him, searched everywhere and, not finding him, decided to live in his hut, which reminded him of his beloved teacher. Six years later Joseph suddenly knocked at the door of the hut. Asked where he had been all those years, the elder answered that he had not been anywhere else and had not missed a single Sunday service at the monastery, only that the brethren had not seen him, and now he appeared because the hour of his end had come.

He told Gelasius the day of his death, gave him counsel for the spiritual life and departed to the Lord without pain, and the face of the reposed shone with a heavenly light. The disciple called the brethren, and Joseph was buried with honour. He died in peace in the fourth century, before the slaughter of the fathers of Sinai.

He is commemorated on 27 January and on 5 May (a movable day), in the Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of Sinai, in new style.