Saint Athanasius, Patriarch of Constantinople

Life

An opponent of the union with Rome, in contrast to his predecessor John Veccus (1275-1282). An ascetic and man of prayer from childhood. Beloved by the people, he provoked the displeasure of certain clergy because of his moral strictness. He withdrew to his monastery on Mount Ganos, where he practiced asceticism even more strictly than before. The Lord Christ Himself appeared to him and gently rebuked him for having left the flock to the wolves. When he prophesied the day of an earthquake in Constantinople, Emperor Andronicus returned him to the patriarchal throne against his will. Afterward he again secretly withdrew to his ascetic labors. He reposed in his one hundredth year of life. A wonderworker and seer.