Venerable Nikephoros the Leper, a Greek ascetic of the twentieth century who bore leprosy with thanksgiving.
St. Nikephoros the Leper was born in Crete in 1890 and contracted leprosy as a youth. He became a monk and spent decades in the leper colony of Chios and later in Athens, blinded and crippled by his disease, yet radiant with patience, prayer, and joy.
He reposed in 1964 and was glorified as a saint in 2012. Many turn to him for help in illness. He is commemorated on January 4.
Feast day
On the New Calendar, Nikephoros the Leper is commemorated on January 4. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on January 17 of the civil calendar.
Also commemorated on January 4
Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles
Apostle, Εβδομήκοντα Απόστολοι
Joint commemoration of the Seventy Apostles sent out by the Lord.
Apollinaria the Senator's Daughter
Holy Woman, Απολλιναρία
Venerable Apollinaria, who lived in disguise as a monk in the Egyptian desert.
Name days: Apollinaria
Euthymios of Vatopedi and the Twelve Monks
Martyr, Ευθύμιος ο Βατοπεδινός
Abbot Euthymios and twelve monks of Vatopedi, martyred for resisting the union with Rome.
Onouphrios the New of Hilandar
Martyr, Ονούφριος ο Νέος
New Monk-Martyr Onouphrios of Hilandar, martyred on Chios in the nineteenth century.
Theoktistos of Cucomo
Venerable, Θεόκτιστος
Venerable Theoktistos, abbot of the monastery of Cucomo in Sicily.
Name days: Theoktistos, Theoctistus
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