Память святого Антония, патриарха Константинопольского

Saint Anthony's homeland was Asia, but his entire life from infancy to his blessed death passed in the capital of the Greek Empire, Constantinople in 1367. In this city the monk was raised, spent his childhood and youth, received an education, and finally became a bishop. There were a lot of omens about the high service of the saint to the church in the rank of bishop. By the way, while still a baby, he carefully looked at how to perform proskomedia, how to hold a censer, and how to generally celebrate the Divine Liturgy in church. Thus, the grace of God prepared the saint from his infancy to perform divine services. Having reached adulthood, Saint Anthony accepted monasticism in one of the Constantinople monasteries and valiantly began to undergo the feats of monastic life. The severity of his exploits soon drew attention to himself and, against his wishes, he was first ordained to the rank of presbyter, and then, by order of the patriarch, he was appointed abbot. At this time, the saint’s father also entered the monastic rank. Carrying out the new labors of his abbess, Saint Anthony, in addition, invariably continued his usual exploits, being in constant wakefulness, fasting and unceasing prayers. While spending his time in this way, he also occupied himself with distributing alms to the poor with his own hands. And while this great ascetic, going through his difficult monastic life, was performing deeds of mercy, one day someone brought him a bag of gold and, giving it, said: “Take this to distribute to the poor.” At these words, only a hand appeared to the monk holding a bag of gold, and the one giving it was invisible. From that time on, the monk began to distribute alms in abundance to everyone worthy of it. The time came when the patriarchal throne in Constantinople became idle, and the Monk Anthony, by the unanimous election of the episcopal council and the emperor, was elevated to the see of the Patriarch of Constantinople in 1368. At this time he was already in old age, but, despite the weakness of his old age, strong by the power of the Holy Spirit, he went around all the churches of his patriarchy, overcoming his temporary illnesses, as far as was possible at his age, by the power of prayer. Seeing the cramped position of the clergy due to a lack of material resources, the monk helped them out of their difficulties with abundant financial benefits. At the entrance to churches he was always greeted by thousands of beggars, and he gave alms to them all. In general, for many, in many ways he was a servant. Having performed many miracles, the Monk Anthony, in old age, departed to the Lord. Saint Anthony was born around 829. St. Anthony II (nicknamed Kavlei) ascended the patriarchal throne of Constantinople in 893 and served as patriarch until his death, which followed in 895. You might be interested in: