Today it is the first day of Bright Week (also known as Pascha Week) and the Orthodox Church commemorates the Apostle Zacchaeus, who was a publican at Jericho, Hieromartyr Anastasios, Bishop of Antioch, and Venerables Athanasios of Meteora (†1383), Joasaph, and Theodorus Trichinas.
St. Anastasios, Bishop of Antioch, began to follow an ascetic way of life from an early age. Firstly, he went to Mount Sinai in the early 6th century and then to Antioch to the Church of Alexandria.
As soon as Bishop Domnos of Antioch died, the clergymen and the people elected him as the new Bishop of Antioch (559 AD). In 570, Emperor Justin, under the excuse that he allegedly squandered church property, exiled him to Jerusalem, where he remained until 593. He then returned to the throne and died in 599.
Saint Athanasios, the founder of the Monastery of Meteora, whom we commemorate today, was born in Patras (in 1305 AD). He was descendant of a wealthy and prominent family. Unfortunately, he lost his father at a very young age and, therefore, his uncle was charged with his upbringing.
After visiting many places, he ended up in Stagoi, Kalambaka. He settled on a rock with two other disciples of his, where he built a church. That rock was named “Meteora”. His reputation helped him to come into contact with many monks, who helped him build a monastery in honour of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. There, he lived the rest of his life teaching the younger brothers of the monastery. He reposed in the Lord in 1383 AD, at the age of 78.
Source: Church of Cyprus