Agathangelus of Smyrna

Holy Venerable Martyr Agathangelus of Smyrna was a monk of Thracian origin, with the lay name Athanasius, beheaded at Smyrna on 19 April 1819, in the nineteenth year of his life. The Serbian Church commemorates him on 19 April by the old calendar (2 May by the new).

Serving the Turks, he was forced by them to deny the faith at Smyrna. As a penitent he was tonsured a monk on the Holy Mountain, at Esphigmenou Monastery. Tormented by conscience, he wished to wash away his sin with his blood. He went to Smyrna, where he showed the Turks the Cross and the icon of Christ's Resurrection, and was beheaded. Christians believe that after death he appeared alive to his spiritual father, Germanos.