Holy Hieromartyr Nikon the Bishop and His 199 Disciples (+251)

The holy Hieromartyr Nikon the Bishop and his 199 disciples (+251). The Hieromartyr Nikon was born in Naples. His father was a pagan and his mother a Christian. Nikon, a follower of his father’s religion, was a soldier and was distinguished by extraordinary bravery and strength. Once Nikon and his detachment were surrounded. In mortal danger, the warrior remembered his mother’s Christian instructions, made the sign of the cross, and promised the Lord that he would be baptised. Saved from certain death, Nikon returned home and, on his mother’s advice, went to look for a priest. Because of the persecution of that time it was very hard to find a presbyter. Saint Nikon reached the island of Chios, climbed a high mountain, spent eight days in fasting and prayer, and besought the Lord to help him. An angel appeared to him and showed him the way. Saint Nikon made for Mount Ganos, where monks were in hiding. Baptised by Bishop Theodosius, Nikon was tonsured a monk. Three years later the Lord revealed to the bishop that he should consecrate Nikon, who was distinguished by virtue, as bishop, and that the brotherhood should then move to Sicily. Theodosius carried out the will of God and died. After the bishop’s death Saint Nikon set out for Sicily with 190 brethren. By the will of God Nikon found himself in his native Naples and arrived in time to find his mother dying. His mother spent the last days of her life beside her son and died in prayer.

Everyone in the city heard of Saint Nikon’s arrival. Nine warriors who had fought beside him came to the holy father. After talking with the bishop the soldiers were baptised and went with him to Sicily. Saint Nikon and the brethren settled in a desert place near the river Asinus.

Some years later the persecution of Christians began again. Quintian, the governor of Sicily, was told that a bishop with a numerous brotherhood was living not far off. The 199 monks were seized and beheaded, while Saint Nikon was set aside for torture. The saint was thrown into fire but remained unharmed; he was harnessed to wild horses, but they would not move from the spot. He was beheaded, and at last the holy hieromartyr’s body was thrown out for the beasts to tear apart.

In those parts a shepherd possessed by evil spirits used to wander about. When he came near the body of Saint Nikon, the possessed man fell to the ground and the evil spirit came out of his body. The healed shepherd told the local inhabitants of this miracle. The Bishop of Messina buried the Hieromartyr Nikon and his disciples with honour.