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Archimandrite '''Ephrem [[Image:ElderEphraim.jpg|frame|right|Elder Ephraim of Philotheou]]Elder Archimandrite ''' Ephraim (commonly known as Moraitis)'''(born ''Elder Ephrem''Ioannis Moraitis''') (June 24, 1927 - December 7th, sometimes spelled '''''Ephraim'''''2019) is was an [[archimandrite]] and former [[abbot]] of [[Philotheou Monastery (Athos)|Philotheou Monastery]] on [[Mount Athos]], spiritual guide of several [[monastery|monasteries]] on Mount Athos and Greece, and the founder of several monasteries in the United States. He resides labored in Arizona at [[St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery (Florence, Arizona)|St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery]].

==Early life==Elder Ephraim has been was born in 1927 in Volos, Greece, in the day of Nativity of St. John the Baptist, and was given a priest-monk baptismal name of John (Ioannis). He grew up in poverty and helped his father at work, but always tried to emulate the pious life of his mother Victoria (whom he later tonsured a [[Hieromonknun]]with the name of Theophano) for . He began to desire the past 50 monastic life around 14 years of age, but he did not get a blessing from his spiritual father to leave and has served as an elder for almost 40 years. He was become a disciple of Elder Joseph the [[Hesychastmonk]] of Mount Athos and lived inmonastic obedience to him for 12 years until his Elder's repose in 1959he was 19.

Elder Ephraim was born in 1927 in VolosOnce, Greecejust a month before he left the world, his friends decided to visit elder Joseph the Hesychast. Ioannis did not have any valuable gift to send with them, so he sent a baptismal name small pouch of Johnvermicelli and wrote a note. He grew up in poverty and helped his father at workWhen unpacking gifts, but always tried to emulate the pious life of hismother (who ended up becomming elder Joseph said: "This child will become a [[nun]] with the name of Theophano)monk here". He began to desire When the monastic life at around 14 years friends of ageIoannis returned and told him these words, but he did not get a just forgot it - he had no idea about his future monastic life and had no blessing from his the spiritual father to leave and become a [[monk]] until he was 19.

When he arrived at Mount Athos, he became a disciple of Elder Joseph the Hesychast who tonsured him in 1948 and gave him the name Ephraim. Elder Ephraim Ioannis was subsequently ordained a [[deacon]]little baby, his mother had a vision and then understood that he will become a [[priest]]monk at Mt. The life in the brotherhood under Elder Joseph Athos. So she was very austere and ascetical and Elder Ephraim made great spiritual progress under preparing him all his holy Elder. After Elder Joseph's repose in 1959life, Elder Ephraim continued to live in asceticism for many years until he became the abbot of the Holy Monastery of Philotheou having this vision in 1973her mind, where and when he was able to revive the spiritual life there in a short time. Due to the reputation of Elder Ephraim19, the monastery's brotherhood grew rapidly. Elder Ephraim was asked by the council of Mount Athos she finally decided to revive and grow several other monasteries on Mount Athos which had a dwindling number of monks. These monasteries were Xeropotamou, Konstamonitou, and Karakallou. He was also asked send him to repopulate the Great Lavra but declinedelder Joseph. These monasteries are still under his spiritual guidance today. Along with And now the monasteries on Mount Athos, there are several other monasteries in Greece under Elder Ephraim's spiritual guidancefather did not object as well.

==Monastic life==On September 26, 1947, Ioannis arrived at Mt. Athos to the St. Anna's skete. Elder Ephraim has a reputation Joseph got to know about his arrival from the patron saint of being a grace-filled confessor both Ioannis and true Athonite elder and has thousands of spiritual children around the world - monastics, clergy, and laykeliya of Elder Joseph -peopleSt. He is considered by many to be John the first to establish an authentic Athonite monastery on American soilBaptist. As of 2005elder Ephraim recalls in his book, at the pier he met Elder Ephraim has founded seventeen monasteries in [[Arsenios the United States and Canada under Cave-Dweller|Arsenios]] who said: "Are you Iannakis from Volos?" - "Yes, how do you know me?" - "Elder Joseph knows that from the Greek Orthodox Archdioceses of America Fair Forerunner. He appeared to him today and Canadasaid: I brought to you one sheep. This includes monasteries for women and for menPlace it in your fence. "

So Ioannis became a disciple of Saint [[ImageJoseph the Hesychast]] who [[tonsured|tonsure]] him in 1948 and gave him the name Ephraim. Ephraim was subsequently [[ordination|ordained]] a [[deacon]], and then a [[priest]]. The life in the brotherhood under Elder Joseph was very austere and [[asceticism|ascetical]], and Ephraim made great spiritual progress under his holy Elder. In his book, Elder Ephraim thanks Elder Joseph for his severe but very proficient teaching. Only after leaving the world, Ephraim understood his very strong pride. In the world, he lived a chaste and pious life and was thinking high of himself. Only with Elder Joseph he began to see it, especially when the Elder made comments about his behavior. During 12 years, Ephraim heard his name from the Elder only twice - all other times he used only abusive nicknames. But behind his back, the Elder constantly blessed him - Ephraim got to know this later from other people. Also during confession of thoughts, Elder Joseph never spoke sharply. He described in detail the origin of thoughts and mistakes, so Ephraim thought that Elder knows him better than he knows himself. After Elder Joseph's repose in 1959, Elder Ephraim continued to live in asceticism for many years until he became the abbot of the Holy Monastery of Philotheou in 1973, where he was able to revive the spiritual life in a short time. Due to the reputation of Elder Ephraim, the monastery's brotherhood grew rapidly. Elder Ephraim was asked by the council of Mount Athos to revive and expand several other monasteries on Mount Athos which had a dwindling number of monks. These monasteries were [[Xeropotamou Monastery (Athos)|Xeropotamou]], [[Konstamonitou Monastery (Athos)|Konstamonitou]], and [[Karakalou Monastery (Athos)|Karakallou]]. He was also asked to repopulate the [[Great Lavra (Athos)|Great Lavra]] but declined. These monasteries were under his spiritual guidance until his blessed repose. Along with the monasteries on Mount Athos, there were several other monasteries in Greece under Elder Ephraim's spiritual guidance, including the monastery of St. [[John the Forerunner]] in Serres, that of [[Panagia]] the Directress in Portaria (Volos), and that of the [[Archangel Michael]], a formal [[metochion]] of Philotheou on the island of Thasos. In 1979, Elder Ephraim became ill and needed a surgery. Then his spiritual children from Canada offered to do the surgery in Canada. The Elder agreed, the operation was successful. For more than a month Elder Ephraim stayed in America and met representatives of the Greek community. He got to know that the spiritual life in the Greek circles have been disrupted, people stayed for a long time without confession and with grave sins, were taking Communion totally unprepared, did not keep the canons of the Church. They forget the pious Orthodox life, Greek national traditions and were accustomed to vicious life.  Father Ephraim decided to go to America more and more often. He first visited Canada: Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and then he was invited to the United States. In the end, the council of the Holy Mountain warned him that he can not continue this way and must choose: either the Holy Mountain, or America. The Elder began to pray and it was revealed that his place was in America. He decided to move to the U.S. - for the spiritual care of his flock and the revival of spiritual life in the Greek communities of North America. At first, the Synod of the Archdiocese of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America resisted and Elder Ephraim had to seek help from [[Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia|ROCOR]]. As Elder Ephraim recalls: "I was received here with great love and genuine understanding". A year later, under personal patronage of the Patriarch of Constantinople, the problem of jurisdiction was resolved. Elder Ephraim honorably returned to his mother church and was given the right to establish monasteries in Canada and the United States. He then proceeded to establish 17 monasteries throughout North America, always after receiving permission from each Greek bishop of the area. The first monastery that was established by Elder Ephraim was that of Nativity of the Mother of God in Pennsylvania, near the city of Pittsburgh. The main monastery has the name of St. Anthony the Great and is located in the middle of the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. Here Archimandrite Ephraim resided most of the time. He arrived to the desert in 1995 with 5 monks. There was no electricity, no water, no building materials. But the Elder was not afraid of difficulties and urged the brethren not to despair and believe in God. He said:ElderEphraim"We came to build the temple and the monastery and, for our diligence, God will bless our work". Soon people began to donate money and materials, the main church was built in just 4 months. The whole territory was planted with olive and citrus gardens.jpg ==Later life==Elder Ephraim developed a reputation of being a [[grace]]-filled [[confessor]], a true Athonite elder, and had thousands of spiritual children around the world: monastics, clergy, and laity. He is considered by many to be the first to establish an authentic Athonite monastery on American soil. In his life, Elder Ephraim founded seventeen monasteries in the United States and Canada for women and men alike, as well as a nursing home. On December 7th, 2019 at 10pm (Mountain Standard Time), Elder Ephraim fell asleep in the Lord at St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery in Florence, Arizona. <!-- More will be written on his repose once news comes out, this is very new information and has yet to be greatly detailed. -->

==External Linkslinks==*[http://www.ElderEphraim-ofMountAthos.org Sermons of Elder Ephraim of Mount Athos]

*[http://www.holytransfigurationmonastery.comorg/index.html?history.html History] of the Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Monastery in Harvard, Illinois, with a brief biography of Fr. Ephraim*{{Ru icon}} [http://www.pravoslavie.ru/put/59078.htm Hierodeacon Nikon (Gorohov). St. Anthony Monastery in Arizona (part 1).]