Makarios

Venerable Makarios was, most probably, the first Bishop of Ierissos in Halkidiki, and is regarded as the builder of the church of St Stephen in the Monastery of Konstamonitou on Mount Athos. He lived in the time of the emperors Constantine the Great, Theodosius and Arcadius and is commemorated on 19 January. He is locally honoured; he has no known canonization.

In the first years of his episcopal ministry he met Constantine the Great, who wanted to build New Rome near the isthmus of Akanthos, close to Ierissos and Mount Athos. By the wisdom of his words he persuaded the emperor to give up his plans, thus sparing the quiet of the region and of the Holy Mountain itself. Under Julian the Apostate he was persecuted and took refuge on Athos, where he struggled in prayer and asceticism. He is counted the second founder of the Monastery of Konstamonitou. He fell asleep in peace in the reign of Arcadius (395 to 408).

His hymn praises him as one equal to the angels, shepherd of Ierissos, luminary of the Church and among the first-⁠fruits of the Fathers, who adorned his throne with teachings and good works.