Every year on July 18, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the day of St. Athanasius of Athos. The saint was born in Trebizond between 925-930 AD. He came from a family of wealthy and noble parents, but early became an orphan and was brought up by his relative, a pious nun.
After the death of his adoptive mother, Athanasius (at baptism received the name Abraham) went to Constantinople, to the court of the emperor Roman, where he studied for several years with the famous rhetorician Athanasius. Over time, the young Abraham surpassed the teacher in skill and retired to the Kiminsky monastery, where he was tonsured.
With strict fasts, long vigils, kneeling and labors, Athanasius soon reached great heights in monasticism. Later, having already left the monastery, Athanasius walked around many secluded places and chose the place Melana, located on the very edge of sacred Athos and far from other monastic dwellings. Here the Monk erected a cell for himself and devoted all his time to incessant labors and prayer.
Often the hermit was overcome by demons who wanted to instill in him hatred for the chosen place. Athanasius practically succumbed to doubt, but decided to postpone his departure for one year, and then act at the behest of God. On the last day of the appointed date, Athanasius suddenly dawned on an unusually bright light from heaven, and his doubts were immediately dispelled. Since then, the Monk Athanasius received the gift of affection, and numerous pilgrims began to visit his dwelling, seeking advice or blessings from the hermit.
According to legend, Athanasius received financial assistance from the emperor Nicephorus Phocas, who was a longtime friend of the Monk. Thanks to the funds received, the monk was able to start building his own monastery. Athanasius erected a large temple in honor of St. John the Baptist, and dedicated another temple to the Mother of God. The area surrounding the temples was gradually overgrown with monastic cells. Thus, a new prosperous monastery appeared on Mount Athos.
Our ancestors celebrated the so-called Feast of the Months on this day. In the evening, according to tradition, people went out into the courtyard and watched the night star "play" in the sky. It was considered a good omen if the month, as it were, runs from place to place, changes color and hides behind the clouds. Such "games" promised the peasants a big harvest.
