When is Nicephorus’s name day?

Nicephorus can be celebrated on 5 feasts in the Orthodox calendar. People keep the feast of the saint they were named for, or the one their family has always kept.

Every feast on which Nicephorus is celebrated

The saints behind the name

• 

  Nicephorus

  February 9, Martyr, Νικηφόρος

  St. Nicephorus was a Christian of Antioch in the third century, remembered for a martyrdom born of humility. He had quarreled with a priest named Sapricius, and though Nicephorus repeatedly sought forgiveness, the priest refused to be reconciled. When persecution came, Sapricius was led to execution as a confessor, yet, devoid of love, he denied Christ at the last moment.

  Name days: Nikiforos, Nikiforis, Nicephorus

• 

  Nikephoros of Constantinople

  March 13, Hierarch, Νικηφόρος

  St. Nikephoros was Patriarch of Constantinople in the early ninth century, during the second wave of iconoclasm. A learned defender of the veneration of the holy icons, he stood against the emperor Leo the Armenian, and for his faithfulness he was deposed from his throne and driven into exile, where he spent his remaining years in prayer and writing until his repose.

  Name days: Nikiforos, Nikiforis, Nicephorus

• Nikephoros of Chios

  May 1, Venerable, Νικηφόρος ο Χίος

  Nikephoros was born on Chios in the eighteenth century and became a monk at the Nea Moni of the island. A learned man, he taught in the school of Chios and was a close friend of Saint Athanasios of Paros and Saint Makarios of Corinth, sharing their zeal for the frequent reception of Holy Communion and the Church's traditions.

  Name days: Nikiforos, Nikephoros, Nicephorus, Nikifor

The other feasts are listed in the table above, each with a link to the saint’s life.

Also celebrating with Nicephorus

These names share the feast, many of them other forms of the same name:

Nikiforos, Nikiforis, Nikephoros, Nikifor

What to say on a name day

The Greek wish is Χρόνια Πολλά (Chronia Polla), “many years.” A call or a short message on the day is what people remember. See name day wishes you can send and what a name day is.