Venerable Cosmas of Zographou — September 22 / October 5 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, September 22 according to the Julian Calendar (October 5 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates Venerable Cosmas of Zographou.

The Venerable Cosmas of Zographou was from Bulgaria. In his youth he avoided marriage and, in secret from his parents, made his way to Mount Athos. The blessed man was received with obedience at the Monastery of Zographou. A long time passed before he was tonsured a monk, after which he was appointed churchwarden. On the feast of the Annunciation, at the Monastery of Vatopedi, the Mother of God willed to appear visibly to Cosmas, showing how she cares for her allotted land. With the abbot’s blessing, Cosmas withdrew into the wilderness and settled in a cave. Before his death the holy Cosmas partook of the holy Body and Blood of Christ, offered thanks to God, and peacefully fell asleep. The Lord wondrously glorified His chosen one: on the day of his burial countless beasts and birds gathered at the cave, as though sensing the loss to the Holy Mountain, and from the forest came the mournful cries of animals and birds. This took place in the year 1323.