A wealthy banker from Alexandria in the 4th century, Andronicus decided with his wife Athanasia to dedicate themselves to God after the death of their two children. He became a monk in the Scetis desert under the guidance of Abbot Daniel. He spent his final days living for twelve years in the same cell as Athanasia, who was disguised as a man, without ever discovering her identity until her death.
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SAINT ANDRONICUS OF ALEXANDRIA,
Family Life and Trial
Andronicus and Athanasia, a pious couple of bankers in Alexandria, choose continence after the birth of their two children, John and Mary.
Under the reign of the great Theodosius (379-395), a young man n amed And Andronic A banker from Alexandria who became a monk and hermit in the 4th century. ronicus, who was a banker by profession, married in the city of Alexandria a girl named At hanasia, Athanasie Wife of Andronicus, she lived disguised as a man to practice the monastic life. whose father was also a banker. They possessed great wealth, but they made a very honorable use of it; their piety made them loved by everyone. After having as the fruit of their marriage a son whom they named John, and a daughter whom they called Mary, they resolved to keep together a perfect continence; which they observed religiously for the rest of their lives. Divine Providence having taken from them, at the end of twelve years, these two children, who were their greatest treasure, Andronicus prostrated himself on the ground and made a sacrifice of them to the majesty of God, saying: "As I came naked from my mother's womb, so shall I depart naked from this world; God gave them to me, He has taken them away; may His holy will be done and may His name be eternally blessed!" As for Athanasia, she was inconsolable; and one could never prevent her from spending the first night at their tomb, in the church of Saint Julian, the burial place of their ancestors. As she was there, plunged in grief, this illustrious Martyr appeared to her, dressed as a religious, and, assuring her that her children were blessed in heaven, he reproached her greatly for weeping so bitterly for their death, instead of using her tears to weep for her sins. These words consoled her and made her admit the uselessness of her sighs; but she was at the same time so touched that, upon returning to her house, she begged her husband to allow her to retire to some monastery to lead a penitent life, just as she had always intended to do, although she had never dared to speak to him about it while her children were alive. Not only did Andronicus consent, but he himself wished to follow her example. They resolved to make a journey to Palestine to visit the holy places; having freed their slaves and entrusted the rest of their property to Athanasia's father, they left the city at night to go to Jerusalem. After having adored the places consecrated by the presence of Our Lord, t hey went Jérusalem Holy city where the Cross was lost and subsequently recovered. to Alexandria, where they performed their devotions at the sepulcher of Saint Menas, a famous martyr of that city. Athanasia remained there, and Andronicus went alone to visit the lauras and the deserts of Scetis, in Africa, because women were not permitted to enter them. Having heard of the holiness of Abbot Daniel, he went to find him to consult him on the plan that he and hi s wife had to l'abbé Daniel Spiritual father and advisor to Andronicus and Athanasia. retire to some monastery. This holy man advised him to take Athanasia to the Thebaid, and gave him letters to have her enter that of the Tabennesiotes. Indeed, by virtue of this r ecommend Thébaïde Region of Upper Egypt where Athanasia retired. ation, she was received there, hiding her sex under a man's hab it and under Téhessimides Monastery of the Thebaid where Athanasia was received. the name of Athanasius. Andronicus then returned to the holy abbot, and, having been clothed in the religious habit, he remained with him in his laura. These two spouses lived thus for twelve years separated from one another, practicing holily and with admirable fervor all the exercises of the monastic life.
Vocation and monastic separation
After the death of their children, the couple traveled to the Holy Land and then separated to embrace religious life under the direction of Abbot Daniel.
At the end of this time, without having communicated anything to each other, they each obtained permission from their superiors to make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and they met on the road. Athanasia easily recognized her husband, but he did not recognize her, and took her for a monk from Egypt, so much had her face changed and darkened because of her great austerities. They joined together to continue their journey in company, on the condition, however, that they would keep a profound silence as if they had been alone. Upon their return from Jerusalem to Alexandria, Athanasia, who did not reveal her identity, proposed that they stop there and build a common cell to lead a more penitent life; Andronicus wished first to consult Abbot Daniel, who approved this plan. Thus, these two holy spouses remained together in continual silence, thinking only of heavenly things. The holy abbot did not fail to visit them every time he went to the church of Saint Menas.
Reunion and silent common life
After twelve years, the spouses cross paths without Andronicus recognizing Athanasia; they eventually share a cell in absolute silence.
One day, when he came to see them as was his custom, he found Athanasia at the point of death, and so afflicted that she was melting into tears. 'What! You are weeping,' he said to her, 'instead of rejoicing that the Lord is calling you to Him?' — 'I am not weeping for myself,' replied Athanasia, 'but for my companio Andronic A banker from Alexandria who became a monk and hermit in the 4th century. n Andronicus, whom I will leave in extreme sorrow; that is why I beg you, after my death, to take a paper that you will find under what serves as my bolster, to read it, and then to give it to him.' Then she asked for communion, and, after having received it, she expired peacefully, while the abbot and her husband were saying the prayers for the dying. Immediately after her passing, it was recognized by the reading of her note that she was the wife of Andronicus, to whom she had in no way made herself known during the twelve years she remained with him in the same cell. All the religious who learned of this wonder rendered a thousand thanks to God for having given such great constancy to Athanasia and for having made her, by this means, triumphant over the flesh, the world, and hell. The religious from all the lauras of A lexandria, Alexandrie Place of refuge and study during the persecution. the inhabitants of the city, and the solitaries of Scetis attended her funeral with palms, branches, and burning candles. Her body was buried in the eighteenth monastery. This is how the great number of religious houses that were around Alexandria were distinguished. The abbot would have liked to take Andronicus with him, but divine Providence did not permit it; for, a few days later, he followed his dear Athanasia, beside whom he was buried.
Death and revelation of identity
Upon Athanasia's death, a writing reveals her identity to Andronicus and the community; Andronicus dies shortly after his wife.
Acta Sanctorum Acta Sanctorum Monumental hagiographic collection by the Bollandists. , October 9.
Hagiographic sources
Reference to the Acta Sanctorum for the date of October 9.
Acta Sanctorum, October 9.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.