Aris Servetalis is preparing to return to the small screen on Greece's Mega Channel, nearly 25 years after his last television appearance. He will star in a new religious series, portraying Saint Joseph the Hesychast, one of the most significant figures of modern Orthodox monasticism.
The role of the Saint is said to be depicted in two age phases: the young Joseph will be played by Tasos Lekkas, while Servetalis will portray him in his mature years. Rumors suggest that Pygmalion Dadakaridis and Nikos Gkelias have also already joined the cast.
The series, which will consist of 12 episodes, is scheduled to begin filming after Easter, with the aim of airing in the next television season. The script is written by Giorgos Tsiakkas (who also wrote the script for the television series on Saint Paisios the Athonite), and the series is directed by Stamos Tsamis (who also directed the television series on Saint Paisios the Athonite). Production is supported by the Monastery of Vatopaidi and the Institute of Saint Maximus the Greek, as was the case with the cinematic adaptation of the life of Saint Nektarios of Aegina.
It is worth noting that Servetalis previously portrayed Saint Nektarios in the film Man of God, written and directed by Yelena Popovic. The film explored the trials of the Saint following his removal from the position of Bishop of Pentapolis in Cairo. Filming began in June 2020, and the world premiere took place on April 25, 2021, at the Moscow International Film Festival.
Servetalis is also well-known for his role in the Mega hit series You Are My Mate, where he played Lazaros, one of the most iconic characters of the show. Most recently Servetalis returned in a theatrical production of Fyodor Dostoevsky's masterpiece The Dream of a Ridiculous Man, which is described as a new mystical theatrical experience of existential search.
Joseph the Hesychast was born in 1897 on the island of Paros as Francis Kotis, into a large and devout family. From a young age, he worked to support his family, while gradually feeling a strong calling toward monastic life. In 1921, he went to Mount Athos, dedicating himself to ascetic life and noetic prayer. In 1925, he was tonsured a monk, receiving the name Joseph. He lived a life of strict asceticism and became a spiritual guide for many monks, including the future abbot of Philotheou Monastery, Father Ephraim.
The new series aims to illuminate the life and spiritual legacy of this emblematic figure of Orthodoxy, through a high-quality television production.
The role of the Saint is said to be depicted in two age phases: the young Joseph will be played by Tasos Lekkas, while Servetalis will portray him in his mature years. Rumors suggest that Pygmalion Dadakaridis and Nikos Gkelias have also already joined the cast.
The series, which will consist of 12 episodes, is scheduled to begin filming after Easter, with the aim of airing in the next television season. The script is written by Giorgos Tsiakkas (who also wrote the script for the television series on Saint Paisios the Athonite), and the series is directed by Stamos Tsamis (who also directed the television series on Saint Paisios the Athonite). Production is supported by the Monastery of Vatopaidi and the Institute of Saint Maximus the Greek, as was the case with the cinematic adaptation of the life of Saint Nektarios of Aegina.
It is worth noting that Servetalis previously portrayed Saint Nektarios in the film Man of God, written and directed by Yelena Popovic. The film explored the trials of the Saint following his removal from the position of Bishop of Pentapolis in Cairo. Filming began in June 2020, and the world premiere took place on April 25, 2021, at the Moscow International Film Festival.
Servetalis is also well-known for his role in the Mega hit series You Are My Mate, where he played Lazaros, one of the most iconic characters of the show. Most recently Servetalis returned in a theatrical production of Fyodor Dostoevsky's masterpiece The Dream of a Ridiculous Man, which is described as a new mystical theatrical experience of existential search.
Joseph the Hesychast was born in 1897 on the island of Paros as Francis Kotis, into a large and devout family. From a young age, he worked to support his family, while gradually feeling a strong calling toward monastic life. In 1921, he went to Mount Athos, dedicating himself to ascetic life and noetic prayer. In 1925, he was tonsured a monk, receiving the name Joseph. He lived a life of strict asceticism and became a spiritual guide for many monks, including the future abbot of Philotheou Monastery, Father Ephraim.
The new series aims to illuminate the life and spiritual legacy of this emblematic figure of Orthodoxy, through a high-quality television production.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
