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 the Elder's mother was a very spiritual person. Her life was so pure that God revealed to her through a miraculous vision the future of her son Francis, just as the child was born. She saw an angel who descended from above in a brilliant light and wrote the child's name on a tablet he was holding. The astonished mother asked: - What are you doing there? Why are you writing his name? - The King needs him, the angel replied. Later, as time passed, Maria understood that the heavenly King was calling her son to the army of his earthly angels, monasticism.