Joachim of Vatopaidi

Our venerable father among the saints Joachim of Vatopaidi (also known as Papoulakos) or Joachim of Ithaka is remembered by the Church on March 23.

Life

St Joachim of Vatopaidi was born John patrikios in 18 to Angelos and Agnes who came from the village of Kalyvia of Ithaka in Greece. At an early age, he lost his mother and his father remarried. His stepmother was known to have mistreated him and he would spent many hours reading Holy Scripture and praying at a small church near his home dedicated to St. Spyridon. He

One one of his trips, he visited Mount Athos, where he became a monk and stayed at the Monastery of Vatopaidi taking on the name of "Joachim".