Nikephoros Phokas

Righteous Emperor Nikephoros Phokas, benefactor of the Great Lavra of Athos.

Nikephoros Phokas was a Byzantine general who recovered Crete from the Arabs and reigned as emperor from 963. A friend of St. Athanasios the Athonite, he supported the founding of the Great Lavra on Mount Athos and lived with monastic austerity in the palace. He was murdered in 969 and is remembered by the Greek Synaxarion on this day.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Nikephoros Phokas is commemorated on December 11. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on December 24 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on December 11

• 

  Daniel the Stylite

  Venerable, Δανιήλ ο Στυλίτης

  Venerable Daniel the Stylite.

  Name days: Daniel, Daniil, Dani

• Luke the New Stylite

  Venerable, Λουκάς ο Νέος Στυλίτης

  Venerable Luke the New Stylite of Chalcedon.

• Mirax of Egypt

  Martyr, Μείραξ

  Holy Martyr Mirax of Egypt, who returned to Christ after denying Him.

• Aithalas and Akepsimas

  Martyr, Αειθαλάς και Ακεψεής

  Holy Martyrs Aithalas and Akepsimas.

• Leontios of Achaia

  Venerable, Λεόντιος ο εν Αχαΐα

  Venerable Leontios, ascetic of Achaia.

• Synaxis of All Saints of Georgia

  Saint, Σύναξη Πάντων των Γεωργιανών Αγίων

  Synaxis of all the Saints who have shone forth in the land of Georgia.