Anthony of Kareotis

Holy Monk Martyr Anthony of Kareotis was born in Ukraine and in Holy Baptism received the name Onouphrios. In his youth he killed a man in a fight. Later he repented sincerely and wished to become a monk. Some time before 1506 he was brought to the Annunciation Monastery at Suprasl and placed under obedience to the hieromonk Paphnoutios (died 1510), who tonsured him with the name Anthony.

The memory of his great sin gave him no rest, so he went to Mount Athos to repent. According to his biographer, he lived in the cell of Saint Savva of Serbia at Karyes, known as the Typikarion. There, struggling strictly, he asked permission to go to a Muslim country and seek martyrdom to atone for his sins. His request was refused.

So he went to Thessalonica. He entered the church of the Most Holy Theotokos "not made by hands," which the Turks had turned into a mosque, made the sign of the Cross and began to pray, which enraged the Muslims. They brought him to the ruler of the city, who tried in vain to make him deny Christ. He was subjected to horrible torments and then burned to death. The Turks scattered his ashes so that the Orthodox could not recover his relics and bury them with honor. Anthony received the unfading crown of martyrdom on 4 February 1516. He is commemorated on 4 February (new style; 17 February on the old calendar).