Michael Choniates of Athens

St. Michael Choniates, Metropolitan of Athens, scholar and shepherd of the city.

St. Michael Choniates was a learned churchman from Chonae in Asia Minor who became Metropolitan of Athens in the late twelfth century. He cared devotedly for his impoverished flock and defended the city against the oppressions of tax collectors and local lords.

After the Latin conquest of Athens in 1204 he lived in exile on the island of Kea, continuing to guide his people by letter until his repose.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Michael Choniates of Athens is commemorated on July 4. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on July 17 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on July 4

• 

  Andrew the Apostle of Crete

  Hierarch, Ανδρέας Κρήτης

  Archbishop of Crete, hymnographer.

  Name days: Andreas, Andis, Andrew, Andrea

• Theodore of Cyrene

  Hierarch, Θεόδωρος Κυρήνης

  Hieromartyr Theodore, Bishop of Cyrene in Libya.

• Kyprilla, Aroa and Lucia

  Holy Woman, Κυπρίλλα, Αρόα και Λουκία

  Holy Women Martyrs Kyprilla, Aroa and Lucia of Cyrene.

• Martha, Mother of Symeon the Stylite

  Holy Woman, Μάρθα

  Venerable Martha of Antioch, mother of St. Symeon Stylites the Younger.

• Andrei Rublev the Iconographer

  Venerable, Ανδρέας Ρουμπλιώφ

  Venerable Andrei Rublev, monk and iconographer of the Holy Trinity Lavra.