The modern city was founded by refugees from 25 villages in Eastern Thrace and 7 villages in Asia Minor, the Smyrna region. The refugees moved to Agios Athanasios from October 1922 to 1924. The first refugees settled in Chiflik (Ottoman area designation) Kavakli in October 1922. The first 25 families came from Kermeni in Eastern Thrace. In addition to Kavakli, the area also included Paliocopi, Tsalkato, Kouloupantza and Tsalikovo. Around 1850 the tenants built the small church of St. George, the oldest building in the city. The first refugees were housed in the few poorly built houses, in the camps and in the stables of Kavakli. By autumn 1924 around 600 families, i.e. around 2,800 residents, had settled. The first name of the city was Perintus, after the ancient city in Eastern Thrace. In 1928 the city was named Agios Athanasios. The people were farmers and ranchers and they have never forgotten the customs of their homeland. Today Agios Athanasios is a modern, beautifully developed city with three kindergartens, two elementary schools, a grammar school and a vocational school.
Source: according to Wikipedia