THE
HOLY MARTYR NIKEPHOROS
February 9th
Του
Αγίου Μάρτυρος Νικηφόρου
The Martyr lived in the city of Syrian Antioch.
In this city lived also the presbyter Saprikios, with whom Nikephoros was very
friendly, so that they were considered as brothers. They quarreled because of
some disagreement, and their former love changed into enmity and hate.
After a certain time Nikephoros came to his
senses, repented of his sin and more than once asked Saprikios, through mutual
friends, to forgive him. Saprikios, however, did not wish to forgive him.
Nikephoros then went to his former friend and fervently asked forgiveness, but
Saprikios was adamant.
At this time the emperors Valerian (253-259) and
Gallius (260-268) began to persecute Christians, and one of the first brought
before the court was the priest Saprikios. He firmly confessed himself a
Christian, underwent tortures for his faith and was condemned to death by
beheading with a sword. As they led Saprikios to execution, Nikephoros tearfully
implored his forgiveness saying, "O martyr of Christ, forgive me if I have
sinned against you in any way."
The priest Saprikios remained stubborn, and even
as he approached death he refused to forgive his fellow Christian. Seeing the
hardness of his heart, the Lord withdrew His blessing from Saprikios, and would
not let him receive the crown of martyrdom. At the last moment, he suddenly
became afraid of death and agreed to offer sacrifice to idols. In vain did St.
Nikephoros urge Saprikios not to lose his reward through apostasy, since he
already stood on the threshold of the heavenly Kingdom.
St. Nikephoros then said to the executioner, "I
am a Christian, and I believe in our Lord Jesus Christ. Execute me in place of
Saprikios." The executioners reported this to the governor. He decided to free
Saprikios, and to behead Nikephoros in his place. Thus did St. Nikephoros
inherit the Kingdom and receive a martyr's crown.
Source:
OCA
