January 17th:St. Anthony and St. George

Today we honor St. Anthony, the Father of monasticism. Read more about his life here.

Apolytikion
O Father Anthony, you imitated the zealous Elijah. You followed the straight paths of the Baptist and became a desert dweller. By prayer you confirmed the universe. Wherefore, intercede with Christ our God to save our
souls.

Kontakion
Forsaking the uproars of life O venerable one, you completed your life in quiet, fully imitating the Baptist. Therefore, we honor you with him, O Anthony, Father
of Fathers.

We also celebrate the feast of St. George of Ioannina.

George was born in 1808 in Grevena. At a young age he become an orphan and was forced to work as a stable hand, a servant of the Turks. In 1838, while previously he had been islamized, he was charged with returning to Christianity. He was jailed and because he courageously professed his belief in Christ he was hanged on the 17th January 1838 in Ioannina. From the moment he was tortured the people honored him as a Saint and they asked for a formal nomination from the Patriarchate on the 19th September 1839. In the end the Patriarchate asked that secretly the celebration of the Saint be on the 17th January which also honors Saint Anthony so that it didn’t look to the Turks that a new day of celebration had been set for the Martyr.

May they bless and guide us.