Sainted Nicephoros
Commemorated on March 13
Sainted Nicephoros
was a dignitary at the court of the empress Irene (797-802), and then accepting
monasticism, he became known for his piety. In the year 806 he was elevated to
the patriarchal throne. The saint was a zealous defender of Icon-Veneration.
When the Iconoclast emperor Leo the Armenian (813-820) came to rule, the saint
in 815 was exiled to the Island of Prokonnis, where he died in the year 828.
In the year 846 the
holy relics of Patriarch Nicephoros were opened, undecayed and fragrant. They
transferred them from Prokonnis to Constantinople and placed them for one day
in the church of Saint Sophia, and then they transferred them to the church of
the Holy Apostles. The hands of the saint are preserved in the Khilendaria
monastery on Mount Athos.
The saint left behind
three writings, directed against Iconoclasm. The memory of Saint Nicephoros is
celebrated also on 2 June.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.
