Mother Superior
The life of our venerable mother Athanasia describes her life as virtuous and good, beginning with her birth on the island of Aegina to pious parents, Nikitas and Maria. From the age of seven, she showed a love for reading the Holy Scriptures and decided to enter a monastery, but she was forced to marry. After a brief marriage and the death of her husband, she again sought a monastic life, but was compelled to marry again by the decree of the emperor. In her new marriage, she continued to care for the salvation of her soul, helping the poor and reading the Holy Scriptures.
After the death of her second husband, she devoted herself to the service of God, gathering other pious women around her and founding a monastery. Venerable Athanasia was known for her humility and meekness, spending her time in prayers and fasting. She governed the sisters with love and patience, not uttering a single reproachful word.
By God's providence, she found a place for a new monastery on a deserted mountain, where the community was established. Venerable Athanasia possessed the gift of miracles, healing the sick and casting out demons. She founded several churches, including the church of the Most Holy Theotokos, and despite her fame, she sought solitude.
After seven years in Constantinople, she returned to her monastery, where she soon fell ill and predicted her death. Venerable Athanasia passed away on August 14, on the eve of the Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, and was buried with honor. After her death, her relics became a source of healings, and many miracles occurred at her tomb.
On the fortieth day after her death, she appeared to the sisters, reminding them of the need for commemoration, and her relics were found incorrupt, exuding myrrh. Venerable Athanasia left behind many miracles and healings, continuing to inspire the faithful towards a virtuous life.
