Nicholas of Vounena

Holy Martyr Nicholas the New of Vounena in Thessaly, a soldier who became an ascetic and was slain by invaders.

Nicholas was an officer of the Byzantine army stationed in Thessaly in the tenth century. Withdrawing to the forests of Vounena near Larisa, he lived as an ascetic with a small band of companions.

When barbarian raiders overran the region, his companions were killed and Nicholas, refusing to renounce Christ, was pierced with a lance beneath an oak tree. His relics are venerated in Thessaly and he is invoked for healing.

Feast day

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

Also commemorated on May 9

• 

  Isaiah the Prophet

  Prophet, Ησαΐας

  Prophet Isaiah.

  Name days: Esaias, Isaiah

• Christopher the Great Martyr

  Martyr, Χριστόφορος

  Great Martyr Christopher of Lycia, the Christ-bearer, beheaded under Decius.

  Name days: Christophoros, Christoforos, Christopher, Christoph, Christofer, Kristofer

• Hieronymos of Simonopetra

  Venerable, Ιερώνυμος ο Σιμωνοπετρίτης

  Venerable Hieronymos of Simonopetra, elder of Mount Athos and Athens.

  Name days: Ieronymos, Hieronymus, Jerome

• Aquilina and Kallinike

  Holy Woman, Ακυλίνα και Καλλινίκη

  Holy Women Martyrs Aquilina and Kallinike.

  Name days: Akylina, Aquilina, Kalliniki, Callinice

• Epimachos and Gordianos

  Martyr, Επίμαχος και Γορδιανός

  Holy Martyrs Epimachos and Gordianos, who suffered at Rome.

  Name days: Epimachos, Gordianos, Gordian

• Maximos of Jerusalem

  Hierarch, Μάξιμος Ιεροσολύμων

  Saint Maximos the Confessor, Bishop of Jerusalem, who bore the marks of persecution into his episcopate.