Joseph was born on [[April 6]], 1899, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, of parents who were Carpatho-Russian immigrants. His theological education included attending the St. Tikhon's preparatory school before graduating from [[St. Platon's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Tenafly, New Jersey)|St. Platon's Seminary]] in Tenafly, New Jersey. After graduating from the [[seminary]], Joseph served as a choir director in a number of Pennsylvania parishes.