Venerable Athanasius of Medikion (†c. 814) — October 26 / November 8 (Julian Calendar)

Venerable Athanasius of Medikion was raised as a Christian from childhood. Out of love for the monastic life he secretly left his parental home, but his father brought him back by force. Some time later the saint, now with his parent’s permission, made his way to the Medikion Monastery in Bithynia and became a monk. He was a fellow ascetic of St. Nicetas (commemorated April 3) and reposed around the year 814. A cypress tree grew up on his grave, beside which, by God’s will, miraculous healings were worked.