Venerable Andronicus and His Wife Athanasia (V)

The Venerable Andronicus and his wife Athanasia lived in Antioch in the fifth century. Saint Andronicus was a craftsman and divided his earnings into three parts: one part he gave to the church, the second he distributed to the poor, and the third he set aside to keep his family. When the devout couple lost their son and daughter, they resolved to devote themselves wholly to the service of the Lord, and helped the poor and the sick tirelessly. Then both took up the monastic life: Andronicus became a disciple of Abba Daniel in one of the sketes of Egypt, while Athanasia settled in the convent of Tabennisi. After twelve years of ascetic life Andronicus set out on pilgrimage to the holy places in Jerusalem. On the way he was joined by “the monk Athanasius”, Saint Athanasia, who had put on men’s clothing to avoid the dangers that might meet her on the journey. Andronicus did not recognise his wife, whose appearance had been changed by long labours. On their return from Jerusalem the saints settled in one cell and took up the labour of silence. The Venerable Andronicus learned who his fellow ascetic was only after Athanasia’s repose, from a letter left by the holy mother. Soon he too committed his soul to the Lord in peace.