Reverend Athanasius of Athos: biography, history, icon and prayer

Among all the holy fathers, one of the brightest and most radiant luminaries was Reverend Athanasius of Athos. He was born around 930. He was baptized with the name of Abraham. And he was from a noble family who lived then in Trabzon (modern Turkey, even earlier - the Greek colony). Parents died early, and the boy remained an orphan. Therefore, his upbringing involved a relative of the mother, Kanita, who was the wife of one of the respected townspeople of Trebizond.

Afanasy the Athonite: Life

When he grew up a little, he was noticed by an emperor. He came to the city on business and took the young man with him to Constantinople. Abraham was accepted into the house of Stratig Zifinizer. The famous teacher Athanasius began to work with him, and soon he became an assistant. Over time, he had a large number of his own students. Athanasius's wards began even to pass to him. This happened not because he was more intelligent or educated, he simply had a godlike appearance and communicated kindly and affably with everyone.

Emperor Constantine VII wanted to transfer him to another educational institution. However, his disciples followed him everywhere, who did not want to let go of their teacher. Wards were very attached to him. Abraham was ashamed of all honors and care. Then he decided to give up teaching, to avoid quarreling and rivalry with the former teacher Athanasius.

Confessor

For three years, Abraham and Zifinizer were on the shores of the Aegean Sea. Then they returned to Constantinople, where the stratig introduced the young man to Saint Michael Malein. He was the hegumen of the monastery on the Kimin mountain. He was respected by the Byzantine nobility. All these people were conquered by Abraham. And then he told about his desire to become a monk. After this conversation, his nephew Nikifor Foka, who was at that time the strategist Anatolik, came to the Reverend Mikhail, who also immediately liked the pious young man. And then Avraamy finally found himself a confessor - the holy old man Mikhail. Behind him, he went to Kimi Mountain. There he took the tonsure with the name Athanasius.

Hermit

Athanasius of Athos, through his great ascetic life from the Lord, received the first fruits of contemplation and decided to move to life in complete silence. Father Michael blessed the monk to retire to a hermit's cell, located 1.5 km from the monastery, take biscuits and water every other day, and stay awake at night. In this solitude, Afanasy Nikifor Fock found himself. He also wanted to work together with him, as soon as favorable circumstances developed.

One day, Father Michael made it clear to all the other monks what he was going to do with his successor from Athanasius. Some of the brethren did not like this idea. They began to bother with laudatory and flattering speeches to the young novice. The same, avoiding all honors and striving for silence, escapes from the monastery, taking with him only the most necessary things. He kept his way to the Holy Mount Athos. He admired him during his journey to the island of Lemnos in the Aegean Sea.

Escape to Athos

Athanasius began to live on the peninsula of Zigos. To keep his origin secret, introduced himself as a sailor Barnabas, who survived the shipwreck, and even pretended to be illiterate. However, Nikifor Foka, already being in the home of the domiciliary schol, began looking everywhere for the monk Athanasius. The judge of Thessalonica received a letter from him, where he asked to arrange a search for Mount Athos. And he asked the abbot of the monastery (prota) Athos Stephen about monk Athanasius, to which he replied that they do not have such a person.

But on Christmas 958, on Christmas Eve, according to tradition, all Athonite monks were to gather in Protat Church in Karelia. Priest Stefan, looking closely at the noble appearance of Barnabas, realized that this was the one they were looking for. He forced to read the sacred text of Gregory the Theologian. The young monk at first strongly stammered, but Father Stefan asked him to read how he can. And then Athanasius Athosian no longer pretended - all the monks bowed before him with admiration.

Prophecy

The most venerable holy father Paul from the monastery of Xiropotam said the prophetic words: "Whoever later comes to the Holy Mountain, he will be ahead of all the monks in the Kingdom of Heaven, and many will want to be under his direction." After that, Prot Paul summoned Athanasius for a frank conversation. Learning the truth, he identified him as a solitary cell 4 km from Kareia, so that he could be alone with God. And he promised that he would not extradite him.

But the monks did not give him rest. They always expected advice from him. Then he decided to leave for the southern cape of Mount Athos of Melan, it was deserted and very windy. Here he began to be attacked by Satan. Afanasy long held, but then he could not stand it and decided to leave this place. Suddenly a heavenly light pierced him, filling him with joy and sending him the gift of affection.

Milan Laurel

Through his brother Leo Nikifor Fock learned of Athanasius. When he took command of Byzantine troops to liberate Crete from Arab pirates, he sent a message to Athos to send him monks-prayer books. And soon, through their zealous prayers, victory was won. Nicephorus begged Athanasius to begin the creation of a monastery near their desert. And the saint took up this matter.

Soon were built chapels of John the Baptist with two secluded cells for Athanasius and Nicephorus. And after a while - a temple in the name of the Mother of God and the laurel, which was called Milan. It was built exactly on the place where Athanasius ascended, who soon accepted the schema. And then came a terrible famine (962-963 gg.). The construction was stopped. But Athanasius had a vision of the Mother of God, which reassured him and said that now she herself would become the Housebuilder of the monastery. After that, the saint saw that all the bins were clogged with everything necessary. Construction continued, the number of monks grew.

Emperor Nicephorus II Fock

Once Athanasius of Athos learned that Nicephorus had ascended the imperial throne. Then he instructs the hegumen of the monastery Theodotus. And with the monk Antony runs from the monastery to Cyprus to the monastery of the Presbyters. The monastery gradually fell into decay. When Afanasy learned about this, he decided to go back. The emperor was looking for them everywhere. Athanasius returned. After that, life in the monastery was revived again.

The meeting of Athanasius and Nicephorus took place in Constantinople. The emperor asked him to wait with the vow, when circumstances permit. Athanasius had predicted his death on the throne. And he called him to be a just and merciful ruler. Lavra Athanasius received the status of the royal. The Ruler transferred considerable benefits to its development. But soon Nikifor was killed by a rival who took his throne. It was John Tzimisce (969-976 gg.). After meeting with the wise saint, he appointed benefits twice as much as the former ruler. By the end of Athanasius' life there were 120 people in the monastery. He became a mentor and spiritual father to all. Everyone loved him. He was very attentive in the leadership of the community. The Monk healed many sick. However, hiding his miraculous prayer forces, he simply handed out medicinal herbs to them.

The Revelation of Death

The Lavra Church decided to expand. It remained only to erect a dome, as the holy father had a divine revelation that he would soon retire to another world. Then Athanasius Athos assembled all his disciples. He dressed in festive clothes and went to the site to see how the construction was going. At this time, the dome collapsed and covered himself with Athanasius and six monks. In the end, five were dead. Mason Daniil and Hegumen Athanasius remained alive for a long time, who were under rubble for three hours and prayed to God. When they were released, they were already dead. Athanasius had only one wound on his leg and cross-shaped hands. His body was imperishable. And from the wounds the living blood was poured. She was picked up, and then she healed people.

The Monk died in 980. His memory honors the Church on July 5 (18). After the death many hundreds of years have passed, but St. Athanasius of Athos and now helps people. At his grave, an unending lamp burns constantly. On July 5, 1981, the Great Laura celebrated the celebration of the return to the dormitory charter after centuries of idiorythmy. At this time on the grave of the saint on the glass of the icon's icon there appeared a fragrant mira that spoke of the approval of the monk.

Afanasy the Athonite in what helps?

This saint is prayed that he helped to cope with temptations and affairs of everyday life. He is also prayed for the healing of ailments: both mental and physical. For a seriously ill patient, he is asked for an easy death. The Akathist Athanasius of Athos begins with the words: "The Chosen One from the city of Trapezund in Athos is a fast-paced person ..." This is a eulogy of church singing, in which one can not sit. This is a kind of hymn, praising one or another saint.

The unusually beautiful icon of Athanasius Athos introduces us to the face of the great holy gray-haired ascetic and prayer book, the wise and perspicacious old man who devoted his entire life to serving God and people. He is still a heavenly warrior of Christ, ready at any moment to help a person in need, he should only turn to him with faith and prayer: "Reverend Father Athanasius, a handsome servant of Christ and a great Athos miracle-worker ..."