The Very Reverend Archimandrite Ephraim, Abbot of the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopaidi: his name in the world was Basil Koutsou. He was born in Ammochostos, Cyprus in 1956. He is a graduate of the Theological School of the University of Athens. In 1982 he was tonsured a monk in the brotherhood of Elder Joseph in New Skete, Mount Athos. The brotherhood of Elder Joseph took over the manning of the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi and in 1990 the monastery reverted from the idiorrhythmic to coenobitic life and Elder Ephraim was enthroned as its first Abbot.