Athanasius, born in Trebizond and patronized by…

Athanasius, born in Trebizond and patronized by Michael Maleinos, had studied at Constantinople and become famous there as Abraham, a fervent preacher who holds great authority with Michael's nephew, Nikephorus Phokas.

Ill at ease with the lax morals of the monks living in the capital, Abraham had changed his name to Athanasius and joined the monks at Mount Kyminas in Bithynia.

He had relocated in 958 to Mount Athos.

He has helped defend the hermits, or sketes, here against the Saracens, and also started to incorporate the sketes already there into what will eventually become known as the Great Lavra, which Athanasius builds with the financial assistance of Nicephorus.

This monastery, dedicated in 963, is still in use today, and is often referred to by people of the area simply as "Lavra", or "The Monastery".