Bishop
Saint Joasaph was born on September 8, 1705, in Priluki. At Baptism, he was named Joakim. In 1712, he was sent to the Kyiv Theological Academy, where he felt a calling to monasticism. In 1725, he secretly accepted the monastic habit at the Kyiv Mezhyhirskyi Monastery, and in 1727, he was tonsured into the mantle with the name Joasaph. In 1734, he was appointed the abbot of the Holy Transfiguration Mhar Monastery, where he diligently worked on the improvement of the community. In 1744, he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite, and in 1748, he was consecrated as the Bishop of Belgorod.
On the episcopal throne, he watched over the piety and condition of the churches, the education of the clergy, and the observance of church traditions. He died on December 10, 1754. His glorification in the rank of saints took place on September 4, 1911.
