Nicephorus

Holy Martyr Nicephorus of Antioch.

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.

Nicephorus, who had begged his forgiveness even on the road, then confessed Christ himself and was beheaded, receiving the crown the unforgiving priest had lost. His story teaches that martyrdom without love profits nothing. He is commemorated on February 9.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Nicephorus is commemorated on February 9. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on February 22 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Nikiforos, Nikiforis, Nicephorus

Also commemorated on February 9

• Marcellus, Philagrios and Pancratios

  Hierarch, Μάρκελλος, Φιλάγριος και Παγκράτιος

  Hieromartyrs Marcellus of Sicily, Philagrios of Cyprus and Pancratios of Taormina, disciples of the Apostle Peter.

• Romanos of Cilicia

  Venerable, Ρωμανός ο Κίλιξ

  Venerable Romanos of Cilicia, wonderworker, hermit near Antioch.

• Peter of Damascus

  Hierarch, Πέτρος ο Δαμασκηνός

  Hieromartyr Peter of Damascus, ascetic writer of the Philokalia.

• Ammon and Alexander

  Martyr, Άμμων και Αλέξανδρος

  Holy Martyrs Ammon and Alexander, who suffered for Christ.

• Pancratios of the Kiev Caves

  Venerable, Παγκράτιος ο Έγκλειστος

  Venerable Pancratios the Recluse, hieromonk of the Kiev Caves.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.