Elder Joseph the Hesychast, born Francis Kottis, was born on November 2, 1897 in Lefkes on the island of Paros to simple and poor but devout parents, George and Maria Kottis. Especially his mother was a very spiritual person. The purity of her life was such that God revealed to her in a miraculous vision the future of her son Francis, just as the child was born. She saw an angel who descended from above in brilliant light and wrote the child's name on a tablet he held. Puzzled, the mother asked: - What are you doing there? Why are you writing his name? - The King needs him, replied the angel. Later, as time passed, Maria understood that the Heavenly King was calling her son to the army of His earthly angels, monasticism.