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Righteous Joachim and Anna · Ven. Joseph of Volotsk
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The bishop and the stagtranslated

July 16, 2026 · 1 min read

In the synaxari of Saint Athenogenos, bishop of Pidachthoi, and his disciples, whose memory our Church celebrates every year on July 16, we read a paradoxical event.

Protopresbyter Themistocles Mourtzanou (Dr. of Theology)

The saint had grown up in the monastery where a deer lived. When his disciples were seized by the pagans in the years of the emperor Galerius, the deer informed the saint in human speech of the fact and kissed his feet. The saint was handed over to the unjust judges and they, after leading his disciples to martyrdom, boldly said to Athenagenes: "where is your Christ?" Why didn't he come to save your comrades?' The saint prayed and a voice was heard from heaven. The Lord asked him to have courage and He would be his guardian. The pagans were very afraid and demanded that the saint be sentenced to death. He begged them to kill him in the monastery. Then the deer came and welcomed him and the saint blessed it asking it to offer a fawn every year in memory of the saint and his disciples. And indeed, this was the case for many years, when the aunt was celebrated...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency  ·  Read the full story →
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💬 Comments (2) 🌐 Show original
س
سلمى حداد
This part is about the inspiration that God gave to the deer so that he would speak with a human voice and tell the saint, and then he would ask him to offer a baby every year. A very strange story, but it reminds me that God uses even animals to serve His saints.
ج
جيسيكا نصار
Yes, the part you mentioned about the deer that spoke was really strange, but I always remember the story of Balaam in the Torah when he spoke to the donkey. God is able to use any creature. Just ask me, have you heard of any other saint in Syria who used an animal in his story?
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