REMOVAL OF THE RELICS OF NICEPHOROS, PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE
March
13th
Saint Nicephorus was a dignitary at the court of the
empress Irene (797-802), and then after receiving monastic tonsure, he became
known for his piety. In the year 806 he was elevated to the patriarchal throne.
The saint was a zealous defender of the holy Icons. When the Iconoclast emperor
Leo the Armenian (813-820) came to rule, the saint in 815 was exiled to
Prokonnis, where he died in the year 828.
In the year 846 the holy relics of Patriarch Nicephorus were opened, and were
found incorrupt and fragrant. They transferred them from Prokonnis to
Constantinople and placed them for one day in Hagia Sophia, and then transferred
them to the Church of the Holy Apostles. The saint's hands are preserved in the
Hilandar monastery on Mount Athos.
The saint left behind three writings against Iconoclasm. The main Feast of St
Nicephorus is celebrated on June 2, but today we commemorate the finding and
transfer of his holy relics.
Source:
OCA
