Venerable Athanasius of Medikion (+c. 814)

The Venerable Athanasius of Medikion was brought up as a Christian from childhood. Out of love for the monastic life he secretly left his home, but his father brought him back by force. Some time later the saint, now with his parent’s permission, went to the monastery of Medikion in Bithynia and became a monk. The saint was a fellow ascetic of the Venerable Nicetas (commemorated 3 April); he died around 814. A cypress tree grew up on his grave, at which, by the will of God, miraculous healings took place.