An ascetic monk and wonderworker commemorated on June 6; details are sparse.
Our Venerable Father Attalus the Wonderworker
Venerable Attalus the Wonderworker was an ascetic monk venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Church and commemorated on June 6. The surviving record of his life is sparse: the synaxarion preserves an account of his monastic discipline and his gift of wonderworking, but transmits no dates, no monastery, and no firm century, so the period in which he lived remains uncertain.
According to the synaxarion, Attalus renounced the world and its concerns, took up the monastic life, and devoted himself to every form of ascetic labor.
The synaxarion describes Attalus as a monk given to extreme austerity, occupying himself with fasting, vigils, and other strenuous toil. He is said to have eaten only once every two or three days, and often only once in five days.
His rest was equally severe: by the account he never lay down on his side to sleep, but took only the little sleep he allowed himself while sitting or standing, enough to relieve the weakness of the body.
Through these labors, the synaxarion relates, Attalus received much grace from God and was enriched with many miraculous works, which earned him his title as a wonderworker.
The tradition holds that his compassion and his miracles extended not only to people but also to animals.
As his death approached, the synaxarion recounts, Attalus asked those attending him to give him a last embrace in Christ, and he surrendered his soul to God. A synaxarion verse plays on his title, calling him a wonderworker both in life and after his repose.
Century uncertain.