A festive all-night vigil was held in Brest in memory of the Venerable Martyr Athanasiustranslated

A festive all-night vigil was held in the Cathedral of St. Simeon the Stylite in Brest on the eve of the day of remembrance of the Venerable Martyr Athanasius, Abbot of Brest. On September 17, 2026, the service was jointly led by His Eminence John, Archbishop of Brest and Kobrin, and His Eminence Stefan, Archbishop of Gomel and Zhlobin.

During the service, Archbishop John performed a festive litany. After reading the Gospel, the clergy and parishioners were anointed with consecrated oil at the shrine with a particle of the relics of the Venerable Martyr Athanasius of Brest.

At the end of the service, Archbishop Stefan congratulated the clergy and parishioners on the day of remembrance of the Holy Martyr Athanasius, Abbot of Brest - the heavenly patron of the Brest land.

*** The Venerable Martyr Athanasius, Abbot of Brest, whose memory the Church commemorates on September 18, dedicated his life to the defense of Orthodoxy. In the 17th century, when the Orthodox believers of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth were subjected to oppression, he openly defended their right to maintain their faith and freely perform divine services.

Before accepting monasticism, the future ascetic was a home teacher. In 1627, he took monastic vows at the Vilna Holy Spirit Church...