Translation of the Relics of St Nicephorus of Constantinople (846)

The translation of the relics of Saint Nicephorus of Constantinople. Saint Nicephorus was a court official of the Empress Irene (797–802). After he was tonsured a monk, in 806 the father, distinguished by his piety, was chosen patriarch. After the iconoclast Emperor Leo the Armenian (813–820) came to the throne, Saint Nicephorus, a firm defender of the veneration of icons, was exiled to the island of Proconnesus, where he died in 828.

In 846 the incorrupt and fragrant holy relics of Patriarch Nicephorus were uncovered and translated to Constantinople. The holy relics lay for one day in the church of Saint Sophia, and were then carried to the church of the Holy Apostles. The saint’s hand is kept on Athos, in the monastery of Hilandar.

Saint Nicephorus left us three works denouncing the iconoclasts.

The Church also commemorates Saint Nicephorus on 2 June.