Orthodox Churches Celebrate Saint Atanasije Atonski’s Feast Day

On July 18 (and in some traditions on July 17), Orthodox Christian churches in Serbia, North Macedonia and other Balkan regions observe the feast of Saint Atanasije Atonski, a 10th‑century monk renowned for establishing communal monasticism on Mount Athos and authoring the first typikon of the Holy Mountain. He is venerated as a protector against storms and misfortune.

Folklore tied to the day holds that the devil disguises himself as a beautiful woman to tempt the saint, but is trapped in a small pot that Atanasije throws into the sea. The legend says the pot later washes ashore, releasing the devil, which leads locals to keep vessels tightly sealed on this day. Water‑wheel operators and other rural workers perform special prayers, believing the devil lurks in springs and that closed containers keep him at bay.

Historical accounts describe Atanasije’s birth in Trapezunt, his orphaned childhood, education in Constantinople under the patronage of a Byzantine noble, his hermitage in the desert of Malaina, and his later move to Mount Athos where he founded a major lavra with support from emperors Nicephorus Phocas and John Cimiskes. He died in 980 when a wall collapsed during church construction, and tradition says he continues to appear to his monks after death.