Saint
Hilarion the Great
Venerable Hilarion the Great
New Calendar October 21 Old Calendar November 3
Why they are a saint
He was born in Palestine to pagan parents who sent him to Alexandria to be educated. There he learned of the Christian faith and was baptized. Hearing of the fame of St Anthony the Great, he met the great “Father of monks,” and determined to devote himself to the ascetical life. Venerated as a monastic saint, honored for a life of prayer and asceticism.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Hilarion the Great as a patron when they bear the name Hilarion at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on October 21. As a monastic, he is also asked for help in prayer, fasting, and repentance.
Prayer
O holy Hilarion the Great, 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.