Andronikos and Athanasia

Righteous Andronikos and his wife Athanasia of Antioch, ascetics of Egypt.

March 2

Sts. Andronikos and Athanasia were a married couple of Antioch in the fifth century. After the death of their two children they gave away their property and went to Egypt, where each embraced the monastic life, Andronikos among the fathers of Skete and Athanasia disguised as a monk.

Tradition relates that they later lived for years in the same cell without Andronikos recognizing his wife, and that her identity was revealed only at her death. The Greek synaxarion commemorates them on March 2 as well as on October 9.

October 9

Andronikos was a goldsmith of Antioch in the fifth century, married to Athanasia; they gave a third of their earnings to the poor and lived in piety. When both of their children died on the same day, they resolved to give themselves wholly to God.

Andronikos entered a monastery in Egypt and Athanasia a convent; tradition relates that many years later they met again on the road, she disguised as a monk, and lived as ascetics side by side without her revealing herself until her death.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Andronikos and Athanasia is commemorated on March 2. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on March 15 of the civil calendar.

On the New Calendar, Andronikos and Athanasia is commemorated on October 9. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on October 22 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Andronikos, Andronicus, Andronicos, Athanasia

Also commemorated on March 2

• Efthalia

  Holy Woman, Ευθαλία

  Holy Martyr Efthalia.

  Name days: Efthaleia, Efthalia

• Theodotos of Kyrenia

  Hierarch, Θεόδοτος

  Hieromartyr Theodotos, Bishop of Kyrenia in Cyprus, confessor under Licinius.

  Name days: Theodotos, Theodotus

• Nicholas Planas

  Saint, Νικόλαος Πλανάς

  Saint Nicholas Planas, the humble priest of Athens.

• Kointos the Confessor

  Saint, Κόιντος

  Saint Kointos (Quintus) the Confessor and Wonderworker of Phrygia.

• Nestor and Tribimios

  Martyr, Νέστωρ

  Holy Martyrs Nestor and Tribimios of Perge in Pamphylia.

• Joachim of Ithaca

  Venerable, Ιωακείμ ο Ιθακήσιος

  Venerable Joachim of Ithaca, called Papoulakis, ascetic of Mount Athos and Ithaca.