Discovery of the Skull of Saint Nicholas of Metsovo

St. Nicholas Basdanis (Feast Day - May 17 and November 28)

Saint Nicholas Basdanis the New Martyr of Metsovo, when urged by the Turks to deny his faith in Christ and accept Islam, responded: "I was born a Christian, I am a Christian, and a Christian I wish to die. Therefore, I will never deny my faith, no matter how many martyrdoms I am subjected to." Unable to compel him, the Turks had St. Nicholas thrown into the flames, while he glorified God. He surrendered his spirit on May 17, 1617.

A potter who was moved by piety went by night to the place to find the holy relics of St. Nicholas. He saw Turks keeping vigil guarding the relics, gave them a sum of money, and took the sacred head of the Martyr, which was slightly damaged by the fire. He returned to his home and concealed the skull in a place inside the wall for fear of the Turks. Only the members of his household were aware of the secret. With the passage of time the potter died and the precious head remained hidden. Eventually the potter's house was purchased by another Christian named Melandros.

Every year in the evening of the day when the Saint accomplished his martyrdom, Melandros would notice a bright light emanating from a certain part of the wall. He was amazed at this wonder. He received a divine revelation in his sleep, disclosing that at the place the light appeared was hidden the holy skull of Nicholas the Martyr. Wherefore, Melandros opened the wall and discovered the relic. Aware of his unworthiness to possess such a treasure in his house, he went to the Monastery of Barlaam at Meteora where his brother was a monk and offered it in their parents' memory. There the head of the holy New Martyr Nicholas, which brings about countless miracles, may be found to this day. We wish to report a few so that you may believe the others.

Once a plague struck Trikala and many died each day. Yet only by the presence and consolation of the holy relic did the plague quickly cease. Similarly, in the village of Distata the inhabitants suffered the same scourge, but they were also delivered by his holy head. Even those of Kalarritai were visited by sickness; and they too were immediately saved by its presence. By the grace of the holy skull locusts were destroyed throughout the countryside and all the fruit preserved unharmed. Both the Christians and the Turks were ecstatic about this miracle, for it occured not only once or twice but many times, even to this day. Not only the above mentioned type of healings took place, but incurable diseases were wondrously cured in every place that he was invited. Indeed, this and many more occurred.

The martyric relics are to be found at several location, one of which is Ioannina, where there is found one-half of the palm of the Saint's hand. Through St. Nicholas' intercessions, may we be rescued from every affliction and receive every necessity. Amen.

HYMN OF PRAISE: SAINT NICHOLAS THE NEOMARTYR

By St. Nikolai Velimirovich

Nicholas the martyr, for Christ suffered

And by painful patience, overcame the devil;

And to deny his Savior, the hero did not want,

But glorified God as long as he had a voice;

And in his heart, he glorified Him when his voice gave out

And for greater sufferings, from his enemies begged.

Cruel as wolves, the Turks beat him,

Every inhuman suffering, they put him through.

And finally, his holy head, they beheaded.

Into the green grass, the head rolled,

The saint's head, with light radiated;

And a Christian in silk, wraps this head

And in church he brought it, for many, to be a remedy,

The disfigured to heal, the blind and the insane.

On all sides, God punished the unbelievers,

And the faithful Nicholas, eternally glorified.

Church of St. Nicholas of Metsovo in Metsovo

Barlaam Monastery in Meteora

Holy New Martyr Nicholas Basdanis of Metsovo (+ 1617)

St. Nicholas Basdanis (Feast Day - May 17 and November 28)

Verses

You escaped the fire of gehenna all-blessed one,
By enduring the fire right-minded Nicholas.

Metsovo on the borders of Epiros and Thessaly was the birth place of St. Nicholas the New Martyr, often known as "St Nicholas the Vlach". The Pindos Mountain range in Central Greece has long been home to the Vlachs, a mainly Romanian speaking minority who have always lived at peace with their Greek speaking neighbors. Staunchly Orthodox, only a few Vlachs converted to Islam during the long centuries of Ottoman domination. At one point of his life this St Nicholas joined that small community of Vlach Muslims.

The Basdanis family were one of the poorer families of Metsovo, a prosperous town on an important trade route across the Pindos Mountains. By reputation they were devout and hard working Orthodox Christians, it is likely that they spoke Greek and the local Vlach dialect. At a young age Nicholas was sent to Trikala to work, here he was employed by a baker in a mainly Muslim area. Quite naturally, he made many friends amongst the Muslim community of Trikala -- people of his own age and others who frequented the well known bakery.

Certain influential and well educated Turks took an interest in this bright young man; they helped him in many ways and over a period of time they persuaded Nicholas that it was to his advantage to become a Muslim. Flattered by their attention and dazzled by the prospect of becoming associated with the elite of the ruling community he finally converted to Islam. It is recorded that the Saint was immediately struck by remorse and that he secretly left for Metsovo, his home town. Here he reverted to Christianity and took up a life of striking repentance and prayer.

Nicholas was warmly welcomed back by his family and relatives but, being very poor, they were unable to support him for very long. He soon came out of hiding and found a job that also involved him transporting pine woodtorches to Trikala. On one such journey he was inevitably recognized by a Turkish barber, an old acquaintance, who noticed that Nicholas was no longer dressed as a Muslim. This man threatened to denounce him to the authorities unless Nicholas agreed to bring him a certain quantity of pine wood torches once a year. Nicholas, knowing that the penalty for apostasy from Islam was death, left all the merchandise that he had brought to sell for his employers in Trikala with the barber and agreed to come back a year later with more.

Back in Metsovo the Saint had time to think things over. He consulted his spiritual director and after many discussions they agreed that he neither should nor could give in to blackmail. Nicholas himself was convinced that he was now prepared to make public his reversion to Christianity and face the consequences. After much prayer and discussions with the monks of the Meteora Monasteries, his spiritual director also agreed and gave the Saint his blessing.

On the appointed day Nicholas returned to Trikala to meet the Turkish barber. He refused to hand over any pine wood and invited the barber to turn him in to the authorities. Outraged, the barber dragged him before the Muslim judges. Nicholas fearlessly spoke out before the judges and the many Turks who soon gathered about. In the face of promises and threats he insisted that he had been born a Christian and so desired to die one too.

Nicholas was beaten by the mob and thrown into the castle dungeons. Here he was tortured and starved but steadfastly refused to give in. Eventually the authorities decreed that he should be burnt in the central square of Trikala. The sentence was carried out on May 17, 1617. The Saint died, praying in the flames before the assembled citizens of Trikala.

A certain potter bribed the Turkish guards for a portion of the Saint's relics. The New Martyr was soon famous across the region and numerous miracles were attributed to his intercessions. The healing properties of the few surviving relics ensured a steady flow of pilgrims from all parts of Epiros and Thessaly. These are now shared between the Varlaam Monastery of Meteora, the Eleousa Monastery on an island in Lake Ioannina and the Monastery of the Dormition in Metsovo.

The people of the Pindos Mountains revere the Saint as their special patron. In his home town, Metsovo, a church was dedicated to him in 1800 and another was erected on the site of the family home in 1959. Others can be found in the Trikala region, at Tyrnavo and as far away as Artemis in Attica. Nicholas Carcase published the Life and Office of the Saint in Venice in 1767.

The Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate formally canonized Nicholas Basdanis as a saint of the Universal Church on November 28, 1988. He is commemorated on this date and on that of his martyrdom - May 17.

Source

Apolytikion in the First Tone

Offspring of Metsovo and boast of Trikkala, the imitator and of the same manner as the Martyrs of old, let us the faithful honor Nicholas, the new Athlete of the Savior, who rescues from all kinds of dangers, those who cry out with faith: Glory to Him Who gave you strength, glory to Him Who crowned you, glory to Him Who works through you all manner of healings.

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone

As a newly-illumined star, you brilliantly contested, in these latter years; a Martyr of the Church of Christ, you have shown yourself to be Nicholas, wherefore she praises your divine contest.

Megalynarion

Rejoice divine offspring of Metsovo, rejoice helper and aid of Trikkala, rejoice you who grants the grace of healing, thrice-blessed Nicholas, to those who hasten to you.