Athanasius Parios

Our venerable and God-bearing Father Athanasius Parios, known as "Master of the Greek Nation," was a hieromonk who was a great and eminent theologian, philosopher, educator, and hymnographer of his time; he also authored the lives of various saints. Athanasius was born around in Kostos, a small village of Paros, in the year 1721/22 and died in Chios in 1813. He is commemorated by the Church on June 24.

History

• 1752 - Went to Mount Athos and enrolled in the Athonite School. He later studied at Corfu under Nicephorus Theotokis.
• 1767-1770 - Taught at Thessaloniki.
• He is known as one of the great "Collybades."
• 1788-1811 - Principle of the School in Chios.
• On the island of Paros he received instruction in the "common letters." Desiring higher education, he left his parents and his native place and went to Smyrna, to study at the splendid Greek school of that city. The school was founded in 1717, and was later named the Evangeliki School, and became famous. He resided in Smyrna for six years, diligently applying himself to all the subjects that were taught there.
• At the age of 90, he withdrew to the cell of St. George the Refston and died there on June 24, 1813.

Bibliography

• 1785 - Antipapas, analyses the work of Mark the Eugenic
• 1798 - Christian Apologetics
• 1798 - Patristical Teachings - Anthimos of Jerusalem.
• 1787 - Rhetoric Pragmatics and Metaphysics

Relationships

• Athanasius (d. September 8, 1774). Athanasius was from the village of Koliakia, near Thessaloniki, and was provided a good education, studying under Athanasius Parios in Thessaloniki. He later went to Mount Athos to the Monastery of Vatopedi where he became a monk. Athanasius later was martyred for Christ, not willing to convert to the Islamic faith. He was hanged and buried near the Church of St. Paraskeve.
• Minas Minoidis (d. France). Minas was a student of Athanasios Parios. He taught rhetoric and philosophy in Serres and Thessaloniki; he also taught ancient Greek and literature in Paris. He was an interpreter at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. Minas was militantly opposed to Korais' ideas on language, his most severe and unfair critic. He was a fervent supporter of the fight for Greek independence. He discovered the verse "Myths of Vavrios" in a Mount Athos manuscript.
• Ierotheos Dendrinos and Christodoulos, Doctor of Philosophy.
• St. Nikephorus of Chios (May 1), was sent to the city of Chios to be educated in its schools by Gabriel Astrakaris. Nikephorus remained close to this priest throughout the period of his education, where he developed a love for learning, and a respect for those who taught others. He also met St. Athanasius Parios, who was the Director of the school in the city of Chios.

External link

• St Athanasius Parios (OCA)

Further reading

• Saint Athanasios Parios (Modern Orthodox Saints, vol. 15) by Constantine Cavarnos. ISBN 1-884729-78-9

St. Athanasios of Paros, together with St. Macarios of Corinth and St. Nicodemos the Hagiorite were the three great spiritual leaders of the 18th century in Greece and leaders of the "Kollyvades Movement." The is the first English-language life of St. Athanasios, theologian, hymnographer, writer of lives of saints and philosopher. Also contains reviews and selected passages from his writings, and a brief account of the life of St. Macarios of Corinth. 170pp.