St. Nicholas

Fasting Rules

Meat not allowed Meat Abstain
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Oil not allowed Oil Abstain
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☦ Saints & Commemorations

Translation of the relics of Saint Nikephoros, Patriarch of Constantinople

Translation of the relics of Saint Nikephoros, Patriarch of Constantinople

Saint Nikephoros (Nikēphóros) 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. Saint Nikephoros (Nikēphóros) 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 Nikephoros 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 Saint Nikephoros is celebrated on June 2, but today we commemorate the finding and transfer of his holy relics.

Troparion - Tone 3

Your fragrant relics have been revealed as godly treasure / filled with life for the Church. / On their august translation / we receive the gifts of the Spirit. / Righteous Father Nikephorus, entreat Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.

Kontakion - Tone 1

The choir of patriarchs, honors your holy memory with praises and hymns, O Nikephorus, / for it received your spirit at your translation, O glorious one. / Therefore, today the Church magnifies Christ the King, / glorifying Him as the only Lover of mankind.

Martyr Sabinus (Abibus) of Egypt

The Holy Martyr Sabinus suffered in Egypt in the year 287.

Troparion - Tone 3

Your holy martyr Sabinus, O Lord, / through his suffering has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God. / For having Your strength, he laid low his adversaries, / and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. / Through his intercessions, save our souls!

Martyrs Africanus, Publius, and Terence, of Carthage

Martyrs Africanus, Publius, and Terence, of Carthage

The Holy Martyrs Africanus, Publius, and Terence suffered in the third century at Petrium. Their memory is celebrated also on April 10.

Troparion - Tone 4

Your holy martyrs O Lord, / through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God. / For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries, / and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. / Through their intercessions, save our souls!

Hieromartyr Publius, Bishop of Athens

Saint Publius was Bishop of Athens (after Saint Narcissus) during the second century. He was one of the Seventy Apostles (January 4), and a disciple of Saint Dionysios the Aereopagite (October 3). The God-pleasing hierarch ruled his flock as a good shepherd, and he gave his life for his rational sheep, after he had perfected it by a martyric death Saint Publius was Bishop of Athens (after Saint Narcissus) during the second century. He was one of the Seventy Apostles (January 4), and a disciple of Saint Dionysios the Aereopagite (October 3). The God-pleasing hierarch ruled his flock as a good shepherd, and he gave his life for his rational sheep, after he had perfected it by a martyric death during the persecution of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180).

Troparion - Tone 4

By sharing in the ways of the Apostles, / you became a successor to their throne. / Through the practice of virtue, you found the way to divine contemplation, O inspired one of God; / by teaching the word of truth without error, you defended the Faith, / even to the shedding of your blood. / Hieromartyr Publius, entreat Christ God to save our souls.

Martyr Alexander of Macedonia

The Holy Martyr Alexander was a presbyter in the city of Pidna, not far from Thessalonica. The saint converted many pagans to Christianity by his preaching. During the persecution against Christians under the emperor Maximian Galerius (305-311), Saint Alexander was subjected to fierce tortures, and then beheaded.

Troparion - Tone 3

Your holy martyr Alexander, O Lord, / through his suffering has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God. / For having Your strength, he laid low his adversaries, / and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. / Through his intercessions, save our souls!

Martyr Christina of Persia

The Holy Martyr Christina of Persia was scourged to death for confessing her faith in Christ, during the fourth century.

Troparion - Tone 4

Your lamb Christina calls out to You, O Jesus, in a loud voice: / “I love You, my Bridegroom, and in seeking You I endure suffering. / In Baptism I was crucified so that I might reign in You, / and I died so that I might live with You. / Accept me as a pure sacrifice, / for I have offered myself in love.” / Through her prayers, save our souls, since You are merciful.

Venerable Aninas of the Euphrates

Venerable Aninas of the Euphrates

See March 18 for Saint Aninas' life.

Troparion - Tone 8

By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile, / and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance. / By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe! / O our holy father Aninas, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

Scripture Readings

View scripture readings for this date on OCA.org.

View readings on OCA.org

Liturgical data sourced from OCA.org and orthocal.info