Damian of Esphigmenou

Venerable Damian, hesychast of the Monastery of Esphigmenou on Mount Athos.

St. Damian became a monk at the Monastery of Esphigmenou on Mount Athos in his youth and was an example to the brethren. He later withdrew to live in stillness on the mountain of Samareia and in caves, struggling in prayer.

Tradition relates that a heavenly fragrance filled the area at the time of his repose in the thirteenth century.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Damian of Esphigmenou is commemorated on February 23. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on March 8 (a day earlier in leap years) of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on February 23

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  Polykarpos

  Hierarch, Πολύκαρπος

  Bishop of Smyrna, disciple of John the Theologian.

  Name days: Polykarpos, Polycarp

• Gorgonia

  Holy Woman, Γοργονία

  Righteous Gorgonia, sister of St. Gregory the Theologian.

  Name days: Gorgonia

• Lazaros of Tripolis

  Hierarch, Λάζαρος ο εκ Τριπόλεως

  New Hieromartyr Lazaros, priest of Tripolis in the Peloponnese.

• John, Moses, Antiochos and Antoninos

  Venerable, Ιωάννης, Μωυσής, Αντίοχος και Αντωνίνος

  Venerable John, Moses, Antiochos and Antoninos, ascetics of the Syrian desert.

• Zebinas, Polychronios, Damian and Moses

  Venerable, Ζεβινάς, Πολυχρόνιος, Δαμιανός και Μωυσής

  Venerable Zebinas, Polychronios, Damian and Moses, ascetics of Syria.

  Name days: Polychronios, Polychronis