Athanasius the Meteorite

Athanasius the Meteorite (; 1302–1380) was a 14th-century Christian monk. He is canonized as a saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church. His feast day is celebrated on April 20. He is best known as the founder of the monastery of the Great Meteoron in Meteora, Greece.

Early life He was born in New Patras (the current village of Ypati in Phthiotida) in 1302 or 1303. During his baptism, he received the name of Andronikos. It is assumed that he came from a wealthy noble family although he never spoke of his origins. Andronikos and his uncle then left to take refuge in Thessalonika.

Although his family had few resources, local teachers were impressed by Andronikos's enthusiasm for studies. They gave him lessons in philosophy and classical literature without asking for tuition fees. A few years later, he went to Mount Athos. He asked to become a monk there but was refused since he was too young. Athanasius saw that the peaks of Meteora were ideal for monasticism, and they decided to settle on the top of a rock where a rock-carved chapel had already existed. The monk Gregory became the higoumen of the small community, which was soon joined by other monks.

Athanasius led a very rigorous life there, practicing asceticism and hesychasm. He withdrew five days a week to a cave where he remained alone in continuous prayer, fasting and sleeping very little. he organized the community by giving it a cenobitic monastic rule, following the Typikon of the monasteries of Mount Athos. The foundation of the monastic community was protected and sponsored by the local lord Simeon Uroš, based in nearby Trikala, who that same year proclaimed himself Emperor of Serbs and Greeks following the death of Stefan Dušan. This monastery later also became known as the Monastery of Great Meteoron. It attracted many monks, and its fame spread throughout Christians in the broader region. It was also said that Athanasius had acquired the gift of prophecy and predicted the failed siege of Thessalonika by the Ottomans in 1372. He died in 1380.