Athenodorus

Saint Athenodorus, a disciple of Saint Pachomius the Great, was a monk of the monastery of Tabennisi in the fourth century. He is commemorated on 13 March, in the synaxis of all the venerable fathers who shone in ascetic labour. The account of him is found in the Life of Pachomius the Great.

Athenodorus fell ill with leprosy and lived apart from the brethren. He ate only bread and salt, twice a day, learned chapters of Holy Scripture by heart, and did not allow himself to lie down in the daytime to rest. In spite of his illness, like the other monks, he plaited mats every day, though his hands bled. He bore his illness so patiently that Pachomius often sent him to other monasteries for the edification of the brethren.

One day a monk, seeing his suffering, began to urge him to give up the work, which other monks would gladly do in his place. Athenodorus agreed only to anoint his cracked hands with oil, which made them softer but hurt more while he worked. Pachomius, noticing this, reminded Athenodorus that the illness had come upon him through the providence of the Lord, and Athenodorus wept over his fault for a year. Having obtained the grace of God, he reposed in peace.