Holy Great Martyr Athanasius (III–IV)

The holy Great Martyr Athanasius (III–IV c.) was a friend of the holy Martyrs Sergius and Bacchus (commemorated 7 October). In the time of Maximian (284–305; 307–310), the persecutor of the Christians, he was appointed to the office of eparch and posted to Egypt, where he was soon handed over to the tribunal for confessing the Christian faith. In the hope that Saint Athanasius would “come to his senses”, the governor sent him to Clysma (on the Red Sea) and ordered him to close the Christian churches. But the Lord’s chosen one, on arriving at his destination, celebrated the radiant feast of the Nativity of Christ in church with great solemnity. When the governor heard what had happened, he ordered the saint to be beheaded.