Orthodox · 3rd century
Martyr Nicephorus of Antioch in Syria
Commemorated: February 22 (February 9, Old Style)
Life
Nicephorus was a layman of Antioch in Syria and so close a friend of the priest Sapricius that people took them for brothers. The two quarrelled and became bitter enemies. Nicephorus repeatedly sent friends to ask for forgiveness and at last went himself and fell at the priest's feet, but Sapricius would not forgive him.
During the persecution of Valerian and Gallienus (c. 257), Sapricius was arrested and tortured for his faith, but at the place of execution he lost courage and agreed to sacrifice. Nicephorus begged him not to deny Christ, then declared that he too was a Christian and asked to die in his place. The governor released Sapricius and had Nicephorus beheaded on 9 February.
Places
- Place of birth: Antioch
- Place of death: Antioch
Retold briefly in our own words from: the Lives of the Saints by St Dimitry of Rostov (1902–1916).
The commemorations of the day: Ponomar (ponomar.net), CC BY-SA 3.0.
Places and years: Wikidata (CC0), each saint matched by hand.