The feast of Saint Athanasius the Great is celebrated on January 18. Today, however, the Church commemorates the translation of his holy relics, honoring this giant of Orthodoxy.
According to the Codex of Kafsokalyvia and the verse tradition of the Lavriotic Codex I 70, the main liturgical commemoration of Saint Athanasius should actually be observed today, as it is historically associated with the date of his repose. The later establishment of January 18 as his primary feast, together with Saint Cyril, remains historically unclear, though it is often compared to similar liturgical arrangements such as the feast of the Three Hierarchs.
The absence of early historical references to the translation of his relics is noteworthy, especially since the extensive unpublished hymnographic tradition for May 2 focuses almost entirely on his main commemoration rather than on the relics.
The Church has honored Saint Athanasius with great reverence, recognizing him as one of the most heroic saints and one of the most saintly heroes. The hymnography of the Church praises him as:
“the great trumpet of the Church, the rule of virtues, the illustrious mind, the foundation of the Patriarchs, the sharp tongue, the bright eye, the shining lamp, the axe cutting down all heresies…”
and further as:
“the immovable pillar, the steadfast tower, the golden-flowing Nile, the namesake of immortality, the heavenly torch, the indomitable fortress, the leader of the divinely inspired ranks, the God-bearing river of grace…”
As recorded in the Synaxarion of Michael G. Galanos, he is praised as the one who crushed the ranks of heresies through the power of the Holy Spirit and established the trophies of Orthodoxy throughout the world.
Let us, therefore, reflect on these spiritual characteristics of Saint Athanasius and strive to imitate his life and faith.
