Athanasia of Tabennisi

Saint Athanasia of Tabennisi lived in Antioch in the fifth century with her husband, Saint Andronicus, and struggled in a women's monastery in Egypt. She is commemorated on 22 October.

Andronicus was a craftsman. He divided his earnings into three parts: one he gave to the church, one to the poor, and the third he kept for his family. When the Lord took from them a son and a daughter, the pious couple resolved to devote themselves wholly to the service of God, helping the poor and the sick. Soon they went to Alexandria: Andronicus entered a skete, and Athanasia the women's monastery at Tabennisi.

After twelve years of ascetic labour, Andronicus set out for Jerusalem to venerate the Holy Places. On the way he met a travelling companion, the monk Athanasius. But this was Athanasia, who, foreseeing the dangers of the road, had dressed as a man. They did not recognize one another, because their long struggles had changed their appearance. Returning from Jerusalem, the two monks settled in the same cell and struggled for many years in stillness. After the repose of Saint Athanasia a note was found that revealed her secret. Soon Saint Andronicus also departed to the Lord.