Michael Paknanas the Gardener

New Martyr Michael Paknanas the Gardener of Athens.

St. Michael Paknanas was a young gardener of Athens who was falsely accused and pressured to convert to Islam. He refused steadfastly, answering that he would not deny his faith.

He was beheaded in Athens in 1771 and is honored as one of the New Martyrs of the city.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Michael Paknanas the Gardener is commemorated on July 9. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on July 22 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on July 9

• 

  Pancratius of Tauromenion

  Hierarch, Παγκράτιος

  Bishop Pancratios of Tauromenium.

  Name days: Pancratos, Pancras

• Dionysios the Rhetor and Metrophanes

  Venerable, Διονύσιος ο Ρήτωρ και Μητροφάνης

  Venerable Dionysios the Rhetor and his disciple Metrophanes of the Skete of St. Anne.

• Photios of Akapniou

  Venerable, Φώτιος Ακαπνίου

  Venerable Photios, founder of the Akapniou Monastery in Thessaloniki.

• Andrew and Probos

  Martyr, Ανδρέας και Πρόβος

  Holy Martyrs Andrew and Probos, who died by fire.