Cosmas of Aetolia

Saint Cosmas of Aetolia
Icon of Saint Cosmas
Equal to the Apostles and Teacher of the Greek Nation
Born	c. 1714 Aetolia
Died	24 August 1779 Kolkondas, Pashalik of Berat in the Ottoman Empire, now in Fier District, modern Albania
Venerated in	Eastern Orthodox Church
Canonized	20 April 1961
Major shrine	Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens
Feast	24 August

Cosmas of Aetolia, sometimes Kosmas of Aetolia or Cosmas/Kosmas the Aetolian or Patrokosmas "Father Cosmas" (Greek: Κοσμάς Αιτωλός, Kosmas Etolos; born between 1700 and 1714 – died 1779), was a monk in the Greek Orthodox Church.

Saint Cosmas, the "Equal to the Apostles," was officially proclaimed a Saint by the Orthodox Church of Constantinople on 20 April 1961. His feast day is celebrated on 24 August, the date of his martyrdom.

Cosmas was born in the Greek village Mega Dendron near the town of Thermo in the region of Aetolia. He studied Greek and theology before becoming a monk after a trip to Mount Athos where he also attended the local Theological Academy.

After two years Cosmas left Athos. He studied rhetoric in Constantinople for a time. In 1760 he was authorized by Patriarch Serapheim II (who had marked anti-Ottoman tendencies) to begin missionary tours in the villages of Thrace – later extended to what would form the areas of both West Greece and Northern Greece. The Patriarch had been reportedly worried at the increasing rate of Christians converting to Islam in these areas.

Over sixteen years, Cosmas established many church schools in villages and towns. He called upon Christians to establish schools and learn Biblical Koine Greek, that they might understand the Scriptures better and generally educate themselves.