Constantine the Hagiorite

Holy Martyr Constantine the Hagiorite, that is, of Mount Athos, was born on the island of Mytilene in a Muslim family. In his youth he fell ill with smallpox, which left him wholly blind, and he awaited death. A Christian woman carried him to a Christian church and washed him with holy water. From the church he was brought out wholly healthy.

After a long testing he received Baptism on the Holy Mountain of Athos and desired to shed his blood for Christ. His elder directed him to stay forty days in seclusion, in perfect silence, fasting and prayer, and to entrust himself to the will of God. After that, receiving a blessing, Saint Constantine confessed Christ before the Turks. After cruel torments the judge ordered him strangled. Saint Constantine began his struggle of suffering for the Lord Jesus Christ on 23 April and ended it on 2 June 1819.

He is commemorated on 4 July, in the new style, with the Synaxis of the Athonite Venerable Fathers (the date moves).