Podcasts · Traditional Catholic Daily Devotional

Aug 14 – Vigil of Assumption / S Athanasia of Aegina

· 11 min

Episode Aug 14 – Vigil of Assumption / S Athanasia of Aegina

0:00 10:50

It's the Feast of Vigil of the Assumption, 3rd Class, with the color of Violet. In this episode: the meditation: "The Mortification of the Tongue", today's news from the Church: "What Is the Doctrinal Credibility and Moral Authority of Cardinal Fernández?", a preview of this week's episode of The SSPX Podcast: "Catechism #4: Why We Call God Father", and today's thought from the Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. Have feedback or questions about the DD or our other shows? podcast@sspx.org Sources Used Today:

• "The Mortification of the Tongue" — From Trinity Sunday to the Assumption

• https://angeluspress.org/products/from-trinity-sunday-to-the-assumption

• "What Is the Doctrinal Credibility and Moral Authority of Cardinal Fernández?" (FSSPX.news)

• https://fsspx.news/en/news/what-doctrinal-credibility-and-moral-authority-cardinal-fernandez-60492

• The SSPX Podcast: "Catechism #4: Why We Call God Father" (SSPX Podcast)

• View on YouTube • Listen & Subscribe on SSPXpodcast.com

• The Spiritual Life — Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre (Angelus Press)

• https://angeluspress.org/products/spiritual-life-archbishop

Please support our new project, the Archbishop Lefebvre Biography Audiobook:

• Learn more:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-Wp4MQdK2o • Donate:https://sspx.gifts/audiobook

Saint Athanasia of Aegina lived in ninth-century Greece, and her story begins with something she didn't particularly want: marriage.

Athanasia had hoped from a young age to dedicate her life completely to God. But her parents had other plans, and while still a teenager she was married to a young military officer.

The marriage lasted only sixteen days.

Her husband was killed during an Arab raid on the island of Aegina, leaving Athanasia a widow almost immediately.

She still hoped for religious life, but circumstances intervened again. According to her ancient biography, an imperial decree encouraged unmarried and widowed women to marry soldiers, and Athanasia entered a second marriage. This time, however, something remarkable happened.

Her husband began sharing her desire for a more serious spiritual life.

Together they gave generously to the poor and opened their home to people in need. Eventually, with Athanasia's encouragement, her husband entered a monastery. Athanasia was finally free to pursue the religious life she had wanted for years.

She gathered several other women around her and formed a small community. Athanasia became their abbess, but apparently she wasn't very interested in being treated like one.

She insisted on taking her turn with the ordinary work.

She cooked.

She cleaned.

She served the other sisters.

And when someone tried giving her special treatment because she was abbess, she resisted it.

Eventually the community moved to a more secluded location near an ancient church dedicated to Saint Stephen. Athanasia became known throughout the area for her prayer, charity, and spiritual counsel. People traveled to see her, which was probably frustrating for someone who had spent much of her life trying to get away from attention.

One unusual tradition associated with Athanasia concerns her death. According to her early life, she had predicted the day she would die. She passed away around the year 860, but forty days later the sisters reportedly experienced a vision of Athanasia surrounded by heavenly glory. Later traditions also spoke of miracles and healings associated with her relics.

Her island of Aegina has an extraordinary Christian history. Centuries after Athanasia, it would become home to another beloved Greek saint, Nectarios of Aegina. Even today, monasteries and small Byzantine churches dot the island, reminders of its long tradition of prayer.

Athanasia's life took almost none of the turns she originally planned. Marriage, widowhood, another marriage, religious life, and leadership all arrived unexpectedly.

Yet she found a way to serve God in every one of them.

Saint Athanasia of Aegina, humble abbess and…

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