Why is this monk smiling?

Folks, as you observe the image, the main three things you ought to know about the elder pictured here is, first, that he's Elder Joseph, a monk from Vatopedi, one of the Greek Orthodox monasteries at Mount Athos, and second, that he's dead or rather, his body is. Last, his smile did not become fixed as he died, but at least 45 minutes after his passing. There is a photographic record of his transformation.

The facts are intriguing and I rather direct you to the blog detailing the remarkable story here.

The story also alludes to various Orthodox Christian beliefs regarding death and the afterlife which you might not be familiar with, but that belong to our common deposit of faith, though seldom explored by us ("On the one hand all the spiritual fathers say that the time of death is horrifying for man. On the other hand we read in the book of the Sayings of the desert Fathers that even the most advanced ones , out of humility, did not let down their guard before enter eternal life, where there is no longer any danger.") Nevertheless, I will present to you the photo and the link and allow them to tell their story.

- Check the entire photo sequence here: Why’s the smile of elder Joseph of Vatopedi from eternity?

- Read also Funeral of Blessed Elder Joseph of Vatopedi: A Smile From Eternity.