Founders of Nea Moni: Niketas, John and Joseph

Venerable Niketas, John and Joseph, hermits of Chios and founders of the Nea Moni.

Niketas, John and Joseph were hermits on Mount Provateion in Chios in the eleventh century. Tradition relates that they found an icon of the Theotokos hanging in a myrtle tree and, foretelling the rise of Constantine Monomachos to the throne, received from him the means to build the Nea Moni.

The monastery became one of the glories of Byzantine art, and the three founders are honored on May 20.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Founders of Nea Moni: Niketas, John and Joseph is commemorated on May 20. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on June 2 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on May 20

• 

  Lydia of Philippi

  Holy Woman, Λυδία

  St. Lydia of Philippi, the first European convert of the Apostle Paul.

  Name days: Lydia, Lidia

• Thalleleos the Unmercenary

  Martyr, Θαλλέλαιος ο Ανάργυρος

  Holy Martyr Thalleleos the Unmercenary physician of Aegae, beheaded under Numerian.

  Name days: Thalelaios, Thalleleos, Thaleleos, Thallelaeus

• Thalassios the Libyan

  Venerable, Θαλάσσιος

  Venerable Thalassios of Libya, abbot and spiritual writer, friend of Saint Maximos the Confessor.

  Name days: Thalassios

• Alexander and Asterios

  Martyr, Αλέξανδρος και Αστέριος

  Holy Martyrs Alexander and Asterios, converted by Saint Thalleleos and martyred with him.

  Name days: Asterios, Asterius

• Translation of the Relics of Nicholas to Bari

  Saint, Ανακομιδή Λειψάνων Αγίου Νικολάου

  Commemoration of the translation of the relics of Saint Nicholas from Myra to Bari.

• Zabulon and Sosanna

  Saint, Ζαβουλών και Σωσάννα

  Righteous Zabulon and Sosanna, parents of Saint Nina, Enlightener of Georgia.