Athanasios Parios was an influential Greek hieromonk, theologian, and philosopher who lived from 1722 to 1813. Born in the village of Kostos on Paros, he pursued extensive studies in Smyrna, Mount Athos, and Corfu. He was a prominent figure of the Modern Greek Enlightenment and served as the second leader of the Kollyvades Movement. Throughout his career, he held several teaching positions, including directing the school on Mount Athos and leading the school in Chios. He is recognized as a saint by the Orthodox Church.
Life and career
After his early education on Paros, Athanasios studied in Smyrna before moving to Mount Athos to learn from Neophytos Kausokalyvites. Following a period of teaching in Thessaloniki, he returned to the Athonite Academy as its director. Although he was briefly excommunicated by the Patriarchate in 1776, he was later restored to the priesthood in 1781. He spent his final decades as the principal of the school in Chios, eventually passing away in a cell on Mount Athos.
Works and legacy
As a prolific writer and hymnographer, he produced various theological and philosophical texts, including works on metaphysics and textbooks for religious study. He also authored biographies of several saints. While his ideas were seen by some contemporaries as a defense against certain Western European philosophies, he remains a significant historical figure. He was canonized as a saint in 1995 and is commemorated annually on June 24.