Ephraim goes to Mount Athos at the age of 19 accompanied by Joseph the Hesychast. After the death of his elder, Ephraim undertook the Monastery of Philotheos, the manning of three more monasteries in the Orchard of the Virgin Mary and the spiritual guidance of male and female monastic communities throughout Greece. After receiving a message from God, he takes the bold step into the New World: Canada and USA. There Elder Ephraim realizes the great needs of the world but also the influences of Protestantism and secularization.