Nikon

Holy Martyr Nikon of Sicily and his 199 disciples.

St. Nikon lived in the third century. A soldier's son who came to faith in Christ, he was baptized, embraced the monastic life, and was later made a bishop, gathering many disciples whom he guided in prayer and asceticism. Fleeing persecution, he settled with them in Sicily.

There, during the persecutions of that age, he was seized together with one hundred ninety-nine of his disciples, and all of them were put to death for their confession of Christ, the shepherd suffering last of all. The Church commemorates St. Nikon and his disciples on March 23.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Nikon is commemorated on March 23. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on April 5 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

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

Nikon

Also commemorated on March 23

• Luke of Adrianople

  Martyr, Λουκάς ο Αδριανουπολίτης

  Holy New Martyr Luke of Adrianople, monk of Mount Athos, martyred on Mytilene.

• Dometios the Martyr

  Martyr, Δομέτιος ο Μάρτυς

  Holy Martyr Dometios.

• Pachomios the Anchorite

  Venerable, Παχώμιος ο Αναχωρητής

  Venerable Pachomios the Anchorite, who reposed in peace.

• Nikon of the Kiev Caves

  Venerable, Νίκων των Σπηλαίων

  Venerable Nikon, abbot of the Kiev Caves Lavra.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.