In India ruled King Avenir, a persecutor of Christians. He had a son, Joasaph, to whom it was foretold that he would embrace the Christian faith. The king, wishing to prevent this, isolated his son from the teachings of Christ. However, seeing suffering and death, Joasaph began to ponder the meaning of life.
At this time, the ascetic Venerable Varlaam, having learned about the young man, came to India in the guise of a merchant and, bringing a 'precious stone', began to expound the Christian teaching. Joasaph, understanding that this stone was faith in Christ, accepted baptism. The king, learning of his son's Christianity, fell into rage and arranged a debate about faith, to which the magician Nakhor appeared. However, Nakhor, seeing a vision, believed in Christ and went into the desert.
The king tried to dissuade his son from faith, but Joasaph overcame all temptations. Becoming king, he restored Christianity in the land and converted his father to the faith. After baptism, King Avenir passed away, and Joasaph left the kingdom and went into the desert in search of Varlaam. He wandered for two years until he found his cave and labored with him.
When Varlaam passed away, Joasaph remained in the cave, continuing his asceticism. He lived in the desert for 35 years and departed to the Lord at the age of sixty. Joasaph's successor, Barachia, found the incorrupt relics of both ascetics and transferred them to the church built by Joasaph.
