The Holy GreatMartyr Athanasias

Commemorated on July 18

The Holy GreatMartyr Athanasias (III-IV) was a contemporary and friend of the holy Martyrs Sergios and Backhos (Comm. 7 October). Having received the official position of eparch, he was sent to Egypt by the persecutor-emperor Maximian (284-305). They soon made denunciation against him for confessing the Christian faith. The governor, in supposing that Saint Athanasias had changed his mind, sent him off to Klisma (on the Red Sea) with an order to close down the Christian churches. Having arrived at this place, Saint Athanasias solemnly celebrated the feast of the Nativity of Christ in church. Soon the governor also arrived in Klisma. Learning about what had occurred, for a long time he urged the saint to renounce Christ, but seeing the steadfastness of the saint, he ordered him beheaded.