Athanasius the Confessor

Venerable Athanasius the Confessor.

St. Athanasius the Confessor was a monk who lived in the time of the iconoclast persecutions, when the emperors made war upon the holy images. For his steadfast veneration of the icons of Christ and His saints he endured affliction and persecution, bearing witness to the Orthodox faith without wavering.

Having confessed the truth to the end, he reposed in peace, and the Church numbers him among the confessors who preserved the veneration of the holy icons. He is commemorated on February 22.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Athanasius the Confessor is commemorated on February 22. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on March 7 (a day earlier in leap years) of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

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

Athanasios, Thanasis, Athanasius

Also commemorated on February 22

• Martyrs at the Gate of Eugenios

  Saint, Μάρτυρες εν τοις Ευγενίου

  Finding of the relics of the Holy Martyrs at the Gate of Eugenios in Constantinople.

• Anthousa and her Twelve Servants

  Holy Woman, Ανθούσα

  Holy Martyr Anthousa and her twelve servants, who suffered by the sword.

  Name days: Anthousa, Anthoula, Anthi

• Thalassios and Limnaios

  Venerable, Θαλάσσιος και Λιμναίος

  Venerable Thalassios and Limnaios, hermits of Syria.

• Baradatos of Syria

  Venerable, Βαραδάτος

  Venerable Baradatos, hermit of Antioch.

• Telesphoros of Rome

  Hierarch, Τελεσφόρος

  Hieromartyr Telesphoros, Bishop of Rome.

• Ariston of Arsinoe

  Hierarch, Αρίστων Αρσινόης

  St. Ariston the Wonderworker, Bishop of Arsinoe in Cyprus.

  Name days: Ariston, Aristonas

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.