Anthony of Supraśl

Anthony of Supraśl was a Ruthenian monk and martyr, venerated today in the Orthodox Church of Poland. He was burned by the Ottomans at Thessalonica, after he had confessed Christ before them. He died in 1516 and is commemorated on 4 February.

He was born on the territory of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, into an Orthodox family. His social status and name in the world are not known. According to tradition, in his youth he was quick to anger and, in a tavern brawl, killed a man. Wishing to atone for his sin, he entered the Orthodox monastery of Supraśl, before 1506, and received the name Anthony.

Considering his penance insufficient, Anthony asked the abbot for permission to go to a Muslim country, where he might receive martyrdom. The abbot refused. Anthony received leave to go only to Mount Athos, where he took the Great Schema and the monastic name Onuphrius. Then he went to Thessalonica, to the church of the Theotokos Acheiropoietos, which had been turned into a mosque, and prayed boldly as a Christian. He was arrested for blasphemy and thrown into prison. As was the custom in the Ottoman Empire, the kadi promised him pardon if he accepted Islam, but he refused steadfastly and spoke ill of that religion. In the end he was sentenced to be burned at the stake. On the way to the place of execution Anthony continued to denounce Islam and even spat in the face of one of the guards. Then he was struck a fatal blow with a club. His body was burned.