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Monk Joseph

A lot of people are wondering who is the priest that stars in Hellenic Air Force official videos. Opinions differ. Some even argue that it is fake just for director’s reasons. Nevertheless this person is real. He is father Joseph (called Iosif-Ιωσήφ in greek). He was born in Peloponnisos in 1958 and his “in world” name is Christos Bairaktaris. Monk Joseph lives in the hideaway of st. Menas in Holy Mountain Athos (Agion Oros-Άγιον Όρος in greek). To learn more about Mount Athos click here.

The rise for this article are the videos that overflow youtube and other similar web-sites like the following:

But who is that monk actually will someone wonder? Which is the power that connects him with the pilots of the Hellenic Air Force? It is common nowdays that pilots after training flight or even real interceptions that forced to do in the field of the Aegean Sea usually fly over the hideaway of st. Menas in Holy Mountain Athos just to see monk Joseph to winnow the flag of two-head eagle that symbolizes the Orthodox church and take his blessing.

Pictures of monk Joseph waving the flag while HAF jets fly over.

Father Joseph cloisters from the beginning of the decade 1980 in Mount Athos. Since 1989 has been withdrawn at the hideaway on the edge in the middle of nowhere, on the rocks of Cape Akrathos over a cliff 300 meters deep. Alone with God. Reads, does manual work and saves his soul.

He is considered by the Hellenic Air Force family an own people. “A holy man, a biblical form. Whoever knows him has opened a window to the world of kindness and love” says a pilot of the Hellenic Air Force who visits him often.

Picture of the st. Menas hideaway.

«I love all of them like my children. Some of them have come to visit me», said the hermit Joseph. «Every day, when I hear the noise of airplanes I come out of my cell. I walk outside and wave the Greek flag. I cry, as these young kids always come after any mission in the Aegean to welcome and give them my blessing».

A photo of Monk Joseph actually taken from inside the cockpit.

He continues: «I have attended too many dog-fights. I feel fear and pride. But the feeling after each engagement to break over the hideaway for me to welcome, is not described. Some of the pilots came here to found me. Embraced, we talked, I opened up their hearts. They revealed me their problems. I feel that my words, which are words of God, will make them more courageous to defend Greece». These are some of his words.

Some of the gifts that greek pilots have sent or give to Monk Joseph.

Pilots from all the Hellenic Air Force Squadrons have sent to the Hermit their wishes and souvenir gifts, but above all of them their true love, because they know that after a difficult moment in any flight over the Aegean Sea, their modern protector will be there, on the rocks, to bless them and give them his encouragement.