Metropolitan Bishop
Saint Joseph, the first Metropolitan of Astrakhan, was born in 1579 in Astrakhan. In his youth, he suffered from the invasion of the Cossacks, which left a mark on his health. Entering the Trinity Monastery, he rose from a simple monk to the Archbishop of Astrakhan, earning the respect and love of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich and the most holy patriarchs. In 1667, he was proclaimed a metropolitan, receiving the archpastoral vestments as a sign of respect.
On May 11, 1672, during the uprising of Stenka Razin, the saint accepted a martyr's end in Astrakhan. He was accused of collaborating with the Moscow government and, after torture, was thrown from the roof of the cathedral. His body was placed in a prepared coffin and remained unburied for nine days. Later, the relics of the saint were glorified by miracles.
The canonization of the saint was completed at the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church in April 1918.
