Holy Martyr Nicephorus

Life

The life of this martyr shows clearly how God rejects pride and crowns with glory humility and brotherly love. In Antioch there lived two close friends, the learned priest Sapricus and an ordinary, simple citizen Nicephorus. Their friendship somehow turned into terrible mutual hatred. The God-fearing Nicephorus tried many times to reconcile with the priest, but the priest would not consent to this in any way. When persecution of Christians arose, the priest Sapricus was condemned to death and led to the place of execution. The grieving Nicephorus followed Sapricus, begging him along the way to forgive him at least before death, and that they part in peace: "I beg you, martyr of Christ," Nicephorus said, "forgive me if I have sinned against you in anything!" Sapricus would not even turn to look at his adversary, but calmly and proudly walked toward death. But seeing the hardness of the priest's heart, God did not want to accept his martyric sacrifice and crown him with a crown, but secretly withdrew grace from him. And at the last moment Sapricus renounced Christ before the executioners and declared that he would bow down to idols. Thus he was blinded by hatred! Nicephorus begged Sapricus not to renounce Christ. "O beloved brother, do not do this, do not renounce our Lord Jesus Christ, do not lose the heavenly crown!" But all in vain. Sapricus remained in his decision. Then Nicephorus cried out to the executioners: "I too am a Christian, behead me instead of Sapricus!" The executioners reported this to the judge, and the judge ordered them to release Sapricus and to behead Nicephorus. Joyfully Nicephorus placed his head on the block, and was beheaded. And thus he was deemed worthy of the kingdom and was crowned with the immortal crown of glory. This happened in the year 260 during the time of Emperor Gallienus.

From the Hymn of Praise

Eight kinds of knowledge the Damascene enumeratedFor people of spiritual and divine lineage:First: knowledge of sorrows and all temptations,Second: knowledge of the sum of one's transgressions,