STELLA MAZONAKIS

Monk Joseph, born Nikolaos Tsigozis, left Neos Mylotopos near Giannitsa on 23 July 2026 intending to visit his family’s ancestral regions in Pontus and Cappadocia and to live as a hermit. His relatives have received no confirmed news of him since.

His disappearance was raised on the Greek television programme Light at the End of the Tunnel, where his sisters appealed for information.

The family traced a bus ticket in his name and contacted the Greek Consulate in Istanbul. Consular staff reported that a man resembling the monk visited the office on 25 July seeking directions to Pontus. He was not wearing monastic robes and used another person’s mobile phone.

The family believes he may have continued towards Trabzon in the historic Pontus region, but his subsequent movements are unknown.

Greek authorities and Interpol have been notified. Joseph is described as approximately 1.64 metres tall, with long grey hair usually tied in a ponytail, a grey moustache, a short beard and green eyes.

His family is urging anyone with information to contact the authorities.

https://greekcitytimes.com/2026/10/19/greek-monk-joseph-missing-turkey-pontus/