Elevation of the Holy Cross Eastern Orthodox Church

Mount Athos has long been looked upon as a religious center of Orthodox monasticism. This spiritual beacons light has shone brightly now for more than 1,000 years. Yet, its unlikely founder was not a dynamic bishop or patriarch, but rather a simple, humble monk best known for his meekness: ATHANASIOS THE ATHONITE. Athanasios was born in Trebizond, and was left an orphan at an early age. He was adopted by a high-ranking army officer, who took him to live in Constantinople. Upon completion of his schooling, Athanasios was tonsured a monk and set off to live on Mt. Kyminas in Bithynia. Soon Athanasios desired to live a life of more severe asceticism, so he moved to Mt. Athos, which was nothing more than a rugged, desolate region at the time. Others, however, were also attracted to this secluded area, and Athanasios embarked upon the task of building a monastery. He was able to convince the Emperor Nikephoros to finance his efforts. The magnificent Holy Lavra, a classic example of Byzantine architecture, was dedicated to the Holy Virgin in 963 A.D. It would be the first of some 20 monasteries that would be constructed on the Holy Mountain. At its peak, it is said that some 50,000 monks lived there, spending their lives in prayer and fasting.

The life of Athanasios came to an untimely end in 1003 A.D. While inspecting the construction of his beloved monastery, a wall collapsed, killing the saintly monk in the process. Athanasios was buried "in" the monastery that was so important to him. From this humble monastic came wonderful works. Can we find it within ourselves to do the same?