NICEPHOROS THE MARTYR AND HIERMARTYR PETER DAMASCENE

FEBRUARY 9

NICEPHOROS THE MARTYR. In third century Antioch, Syria, Nicephoros was a layman and Saprikios was a priest, and they were friends. However, once after a disagreement, they refused to speak to each other. With humility, Nicephoros later tried to accept the blame, but the priest was unmoved. Saprikios was later arrested during a persecution and sentenced to die. Nicephoros waited along the path to the execution and begged for the priest's forgiveness, but his heart was hardened. Seeing this, God took away his martyr's crown. Saprikios denied Jesus and escaped execution. Even so, Nicephoros urged the priest not to deny his faith. Finally Nicephoros told the executioner that he would take the priest's place, and he was beheaded.

HIEROMARTYR PETER DAMASCENE: This particular Peter, as there were two, was an ascetic. It was said that he collected wisdom, like a bee does honey. He never owned a book, however, and was forced to borrow everything that he read. As a bishop of Damascus, he spoke out so forcefully against Islam that the Arabs cut off his tongue and sent him to exile in Arabia. Through a miracle, he was still able to preach the gospel, and he converted many there. He did write a book on the spiritual life. He wrote of the general and particular gifts of God, the general being the four elements, as well as His works revealed in the gospel. The particular gifts sent to each man, though they seem dramatically opposed, are all sent for salvation. Wealth for mercy, poverty for patience, health for helping, and feebleness for humility. His life ended in martyrdom.

OTHER SAINTS COMMEMORATED TODAY: Hieromartyr Markellos, Bishop of Sicily; Hieromartyr Philagrios, Bishop of Cyprus; Hieromartyr Pangratios, Bishop of Taormina; Sts. Aemilianos and Bracchio of Gaul.


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