Every year on January 18, the Orthodox Church celebrates with great solemnity the memory of two of its most prominent Fathers: Saint Athanasius the Great and Saint Cyril. The Church’s decision to unite their memory in a joint celebration is no coincidence. Although separated by nearly a century of history, both served as Patriarchs of Alexandria and were the primary defenders of the faith against the greatest theological challenges of their respective eras. While Athanasius laid the foundation for Orthodox teaching regarding the divinity of Christ, Cyril fortified the position of the Virgin Mary and the dual nature of the God-Man. Together, they form an impenetrable shield for the Church.
By:Christen Papas
Saint Athanasius, who lived between 295 and 373 AD, is one of the most imposing figures in the Christian world. Born in Alexandria to a poor family, he was deprived of the luxury of higher education, yet God endowed him with rare spiritual clarity. His story began on the shores of Alexandria, where legend has it that he was found "baptizing" pagan children—an act that so impressed Patriarch Alexander that he recognized the boy as a future leader of the Church.
The pinnacle of his career came in 325 AD during the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea. There, Athanasius, though only a deacon, stood against Arius. With unparalleled rhetorical skill, he championed the term "Homoousios", establishing that the Son is of the same essence as the Father. This victory earned him the title "Pillar of Orthodoxy" but also the hatred of heretics. During his 46-year patriarchate, he was exiled five times, spending a total of 16 years in isolation in the desert or in distant Western cities. The phrase "Athanasius contra mundum" (Athanasius against the world) perfectly describes the unyielding character of a man who never compromised with falsehood.
Continuing the tradition of Alexandria, Saint Cyril (370 – 444 AD) assumed the patriarchal throne in 412 AD. Possessing a vast theological education, he was called to face the new threat of Nestorianism. As the presiding officer of the Third Ecumenical Council in 431 AD in Ephesus, Cyril was the driving force behind the dogmatic establishment of the title "Theotokos" (Mother of God). He wisely proved that Mary gave birth to the God-Man Logos and not merely a man, thus sealing Orthodox Christology. His contribution was so decisive that Saint Anastasius of Sinai rightly called him the "seal of the Fathers," recognizing that his work completed the theological structure built by his predecessors.
Beyond high theological concepts, Saint Athanasius holds a special place in the hearts of common people. A lesser-known but deeply rooted aspect of his veneration is his role as the Patron of Pedestrians. This title stems from his turbulent life; due to constant exiles and persecutions, the Saint was forced to travel vast distances on foot, crossing deserts and mountains from Egypt to Rome and France. This constant wandering made him, in the eyes of the faithful, a man who understands the fatigue of the traveler. To this day, many invoke him for protection during hikes and difficult journeys.
In Greece, his veneration is accompanied by unique customs. In Kalampaki, Drama, refugees from Eastern Thrace maintain the "Kourbani", a communal food preparation symbolizing solidarity. In Doxato, the famous horse races held on May 2 highlight the Saint’s connection to local identity, while in the countryside, he is often affectionately called "Maithanasis" (May-Thanasis), linking his feast day to the rebirth of nature and the fertility of the land.
The spiritual presence of the two Saints remains alive through their sacred relics, which are kept as precious treasures. Part of the palm of Saint Athanasius is located at the Shrine of Saint Nektarios in Kamariza, Lavrio, while fragments are kept in many monasteries on Mount Athos and at the Monastery of Mega Spilaio. Similarly, relics of Saint Cyril are preserved at the Mega Spilaio Monastery, offering the faithful a tangible connection to these great hierarchs.
Today, their memory reminds us that faith requires courage, persistence, and clarity of thought. Their joint celebration on January 18 is not just a date on the calendar, but a permanent invitation to stand tall against the spiritual challenges of our times, following the example of these two unyielding pillars who kept the Church standing through the centuries.
