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Saint
Achilles
Venerable Achilles the Confessor (5th C)
New Calendar January 17 Old Calendar January 30
Why they are a saint
Saint Achilles (Akhillás) was an anchorite of the desert during the V century. Saint Νikόdēmos of the Holy Mountain writes: "It is said of Saint Achilles in the Evergetinós that he once went to Abba Isaiah, and found him eating something which he had mixed with salt and water on a plate. Venerated as a confessor who suffered for openly professing faith in Christ.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Achilles as a patron when they bear the name Achilles at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on January 17. As a monastic, he is also asked for help in prayer, fasting, and repentance.
Prayer
O holy Achilles, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.