Joseph Volotsky


Joseph of Volotsk
Russian icon of Saint Joseph Volotsky
Venerable, Abbot
Venerated inEastern Orthodox Church
Canonized1591 by Russian Orthodox Church, (Patriarch Job of Moscow)
Major shrineJoseph-Volokolamsk Monastery
FeastSeptember 9
October 18
AttributesVested as a monk
PatronageBusinessmen
Controversy
Theology career
Notable workThe Enlightener (Просветитель, Prosvetitel)

Joseph Volotsky (Russian: Ио́сиф Во́лоцкий; 1439 or 1440 September 9, 1515), also known as Joseph of Volotsk or Joseph of Volokolamsk, born Ivan Sanin (Russian: Ива́н Са́нин), was a prominent Russian theologian and early proponent of tsarist autocracy. He led the party defending monastic landownership (the so-called possessors) in the dispute with the non-possessors. The Russian Orthodox Church considers him a saint (along with his most notable opponent, Nilus of Sora); his memory is celebrated on September 9 and October 18 (dates in the Julian Calendar). His patronage is over businessmen.