Saint
Apollonius
Venerable Apollonius, Ascetic, of Egypt (4th C)
New Calendar March 31 Old Calendar April 13
Why they are a saint
Saint Apollonius, when he was a fifteen-year-old youth, withdrew into the inner Thebaid desert (Lower Egypt), where he spent forty years in monastic struggles. The Orthodox Church commemorates Apollonius on March 31.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Apollonius as a patron when they bear the name Apollonius at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on March 31. As a monastic, he is also asked for help in prayer, fasting, and repentance.
Prayer
O holy Apollonius, 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.