The Hieromartyr Athanasius of Brest, born around 1597 in Belarus to a devout Christian family named Philippovich, was deeply rooted in theological and historical learning, as revealed through his preserved diary. In his early years, he worked as a tutor in Polish merchant households. In 1627, he embraced monastic life under Igumen Joseph at the Vilna Monastery of the Holy Spirit and was ordained a hieromonk in 1632. He soon became the head of the Duboisk Monastery near Pinsk. With the blessing of the Theotokos, Saint Athanasius played a vital role in reviving Orthodoxy in Russian lands taken by the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Between 1638 and 1648, he served as igumen of the Bretsk-Simeonov Monastery, where he faced severe persecution from both Uniate supporters and civil authorities, including multiple imprisonments. Despite being brought before a religious tribunal in Kiev, he was acquitted and returned to his monastery. For a decade, he endured hostility and injustice while remaining unwavering in his defense of Orthodox Christianity. Ultimately, he was sentenced to death for opposing the Unia and was martyred during the night of September 4–5, 1648. His relics were uncovered on July 20, 1679, affirming his legacy as a steadfast defender of the faith.

Troparion — Tone 2

Blessed are you, our Father Athanasios, / for you lived by faith, standing vigilantly for the holy Orthodox Faith, / always singing the Akathist Hymn to the Most Pure one with humility, / ordering everyone not to profane the holy Orthodox Faith, you testified to its truth, suffering even unto death. / Honoring your holiness, we cry out to you with boldness: / "O Hieromartyr Athanasios our Father, you are our boast and adornment."

Kontakion — Tone 4

By your life, Athanasios, you were revealed as an ornament of the monastic life and adornment of the martyrs; / and as a most radiant sun you shone forth on the Orthodox people. / Therefore, Christ has enriched you with the gift of working miracles, / so that honoring your memory, we may call out to you: / "Remember your flock in your prayers, O Venerable one."