St. Peter the Athonite

Peter was a Byzantine soldier taken prisoner by the Arabs who promised St. Nicholas he would become a monk if freed. Released, he went to Rome and then sailed east, and the Theotokos led him ashore on Athos. He lived alone in a cave for fifty years, tempted by demons and fed on manna. A hunter found him at the end of his life. He is honoured as the first hermit of the Holy Mountain.

• Feast: June 12 (New Calendar)
• Lived: 9th century
• Place: Mount Athos