On Mount Penteli, he would stay up all night praying in caves or even on trees, similar to the medieval anchorites and stylites.

In January 1938, the small group led by Joseph went to Little St. Anne's Skete, where they settled in caves near a chapel of Timios Prodromos, which they had built themselves.

His first disciple during the group's stay at Little St. Anne's Skete was the Cypriot monk Sophronios, who took the name Joseph and later served as Elder of the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos until his death on July 1, 2009.

On 14 August 1959, he attended the holy vigil in honor of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary and took the Blessed Sacrament.

Today, his tomb, enshrined in a chapel, can be visited at the northern edge of New Skete on Mount Athos.

On 20 October 2019, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople announced the beatification of Joseph the Hesychast at Karyes, Mount Athos.

[13] His teachings and spiritual work are preserved in 65 letters published by the Holy Monastery of Philotheou, as well as in various books.

[14] Joseph the Hesychast played a key role in the repopulation of six monasteries at Mount Athos, as well as many nunneries in Greece.

[13] His life and spiritual legacy are presented in a documentary film titled Elder Joseph the Hesychast (2019), which was produced, written and edited by the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi.