Monastic Martyr Anthony of Kareotis

Commemorated on February 4.

Saint Anthony was born in Ukraine and in Holy Baptism he received the name Onouphrios. In his youth he killed a man in a fight. Later, he repented sincerely and wanted to become a monk. Therefore, sometime before 1506, he was brought to Annunciation Monastery in Suprasl, and placed under obedience to the Hieromonk Paphnoutios (+ 1510), who tonsured him with the name Anthony.

The memory of his great sin would not let him rest, however, so he decided to go to Mount Athos to repent. According to his biographer, he lived in the cell of Saint Savva of Serbia at Karyes, known as Typikario. There, contesting strictly, he asked permission to go to a Moslem country and seek martyrdom in order to atone for his sins. His request was denied.

Therefore, he went to Thessaloniki. He entered the church of the Most Holy Theotokos not made by hands, which the Turks had turned into a mosque. He made the Sign of the Cross and began to pray, which caused the Moslems to become outraged. They brought him to the ruler of the city, who tried to persuade him to deny Christ, but without success. He was subjected to horrible torments and then he was put to death by fire. The Turks scattered his ashes so that the Orthodox Christians would not be able to recover his relics and give them an honorable burial.

Saint Anthony received the unfading crown of Martyrdom on February 4, 1516.