Encomium on Behalf of Saint Nikephoros the Leper (Elder Eumenios Saridakis)

When Saint Nikephoros the Leper reposed on January 4th 1964, Father Eumenios Saridakis, who was then known as Father Sophronios, wrote a moving encomium that is full of grace, which can be read below, and every year on the same day, he did a memorial service in his honor and served everyone tiropita.

Encomium on Behalf of Saint Nikephoros the Leper

If pain, sorrows and trials are taken away from the life of the people, sanctity would only belong to the Angelic orders. This truth, which is self-evident in our Orthodox faith, was well recognized by the departed to the Lord on the 4th of January 1964 Father Nikephoros Tzanakakis, who was known as Nicholas in the world. He was born in Hania in 1887 to pious parents, and, having been infected with the disease of leprosy, he did not consider it to be a curse, but as a special favor from heaven and a personal calling from the director of the contests Christ. For this reason at the age of 17 he departed from his particular homeland in order to go venerate the Holy Land, especially the Place of the Skull, where pain became sanctified and Golgotha became a symbol to those who have overcome sorrows and the adversities of life. From there, from the inexhaustible ocean of his bravery and endurance, he drew courage and patience to hold up high, very high, his own cross for 52 whole years.

"Saint Nikephoros Came To Comfort Me in My Pain" (Elder Eumenios Saridakis)

There was a certain woman who took care of Elder Eumenios Saridakis the last year of his life. According her testimony, on January 4th that year, which had been the day of the repose of Saint Nikephoros the Leper, the Elder was in a lot of pain. Suddenly, at one point, she heard the Elder say: "And I also love you very much." When she later asked him to tell her who he was speaking with, Father Eumenios replied: "Saint Nikephoros celebrates today, and he came to see me. He told me that he loves me very much and he came to comfort me in my pain."

 

 

When Saint Nikephoros the Leper Appeared and Banished Away the Sadness of Elder Eumenios Saridakis

After the repose of Saint Nikephoros the Leper, Elder Eumenios Saridakis was sad, which led to the following miracle, as testified by Elder Eumenios himself:

"Once, when I was very sad, I saw my door open and Father Nikephoros entered. He stood over me and said: 'Come now, blessed one, do not be sad, do not cry,' and he began to caress my head. And, the more he caressed me, the more the air increased. The air of the Holy Spirit increased, till it entirely filled me, filled me with breath, with air that came out of the caress of his hand, and my sadness vanished."

 

 

When Saint Nikephoros the Leper Appeared and Saved Elder Eumenios Saridakis from Certain Death

One night, many years after the repose of Saint Nikephoros the Leper, Elder Eumenios Saridakis shut the doors and window in his cell and emptied a large can of strong insecticide, because of the many mosquitos inside, and he fell asleep, not understanding the danger his life was in by inhaling the poison without ventilation.

Elder Eumenios would not have woken up if Saint Nikephoros had not appeared to him and woken him, grabbed him by the hand, and led him outside of his cell.

Couple Fulfills Vow to Saint Nikephoros the Leper for Saving the Life of Their Child

This past week Metropolitan Joseph of the Princes' Islands, from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, visited the Pilgrimage Church of Saint Nikephoros the Leper, which is located at the place the Saint was born and raised in Sirikari, Kissamos. He went their to fulfill his own personal vow to the Saint and celebrated the Divine Liturgy as a priest. At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Amphilochios of Kissamos introduced a young family for whom Saint Nikephoros performed a miracle and they came to the shrine to fulfill their vow to the Saint. He shared the following:

Father Ananias Koustenis Has Died Due to Complications With the Coronavirus

 

 

I almost hate to say what I'm about to write so soon after his repose, because it's going to sound like an "I told you so" comment, but I'm going to say it mainly because if you search the name "Ananias Koustenis" on the internet in English, this is by far the most popular story told about him.

In March 2020 a video began to circulate (which has now been removed by YouTube for violating its rules on spreading unverified information on covid-19, see here) of Father Ananias Koustenis "revealing" to the Orthodox world a "sure protection and cure" for the coronavirus. I can't remember all the details, but apparently an older gentleman from Greece said that Saint Nikephoros the Leper told him through a vision not to be afraid of the new virus (coronavirus), because he would protect and heal all those who have faith and turn to him in prayer.

Saint Anthimos and the Healing of a Member of Parliament in Chios

 

Saint Nikephoros the Leper (1890-1964), the spiritual child of Saint Anthimos of Chios, narrated the following about him:

"Then Mr. Rodocanachi, an MP and senator of Chios, fell ill and approached death. His son-in-law was the doctor Mr. Kountouras. He and other doctors in the country could not figure out his illness.

However, his daughter, Mr. Kountouras's wife, had great faith and reverence for our holy Elder and persuaded her husband Mr. Kountouras to have our holy Elder go to the home, and he went.

Testimony of a Student of Athoniada on Mount Athos Regarding an Appearance of Saint Nikephoros the Leper

 

 

My name is Leon Georgios, I am 22 years old and a graduate of Athoniada Ecclesiastical Academy of the Holy Mountain.

I wanted to tell you, with the fear of God, about a miraculous event which happened to me not long ago with the most revered Venerable Nikephoros.

One night, as I went to do my prayer rule in the church of the School, as I offered veneration, I saw in a stall a monk, who was praying with a very large prayer rope.

The Lovokomeio of Chios (The Leper Colony Where Saint Anthimos Served and Saint Nikephoros Was Treated)

 

 

The Lovokomeio of Chios is the oldest Leper Colony in Greece with a continuous presence of about six centuries, dedicated to the treatment of leprosy patients. It is referred to as the "cleanest" and the most "well managed institution" which provided comfort and complete medical care to its patients.

The Genoese founded the Lovokomeio in Chios probably in 1378, in the area of Sifi, in the valley of Ypakoi, which had taken this name from the Byzantine-era Church of Panagia Ypakoi, or Panagia tis Epikou, in order to limit the spread of leprosy which harmed their commercial and financial interests. The spread of the disease on the island is known from the tenth century due to its central position in the sea communication routes in the Aegean region.

The House Where St. Nikephoros the Leper Was Born and Raised

The hometown of Saint Nikephoros the Leper is Sirikari, a small mountain village located in western Crete, in the regional unit of Chania. His home still exists and is often visited by pilgrims. Since his canonization the house has been renovated and turned into a shrine. Nearby a church was also built dedicated to him, which was consecrated on October 2, 2018.

The Church of the Holy Unmercenaries in Aigaleo and its Association with St. Nikephoros the Leper

Saint Nikephoros the Leper lived the last years of his life and died at the Western Attica General Hospital Agia Barbara in Aigaleo west of Athens, which had a leprosy center. He was blind and nearly paralyzed at the time. There he had his monastic cell, attended services and chanted at the Church of the Holy Unmercenaries, and there he was buried in the cemetery set aside for lepers. At that time Elder Eumenios Saridakis, who had been a patient at the hospital after coming down with leprosy but was eventually healed there and decided to stay and serve the lepers, also had a cell next to that of Saint Nikephoros, and he was the celebrant priest at the Church of the Holy Unmercenaries. Today the Church of the Holy Unmercenaries has icons of Saint Nikephoros, a portion of his relics, his monastic cassock, and his monastic schema.

The Monastic Cell of St. Nikephoros the Leper in Attica

St. Nikephoros in his cell shortly before his repose.

Saint Nikephoros the Leper lived the last years of his life and died at the Western Attica General Hospital Agia Barbara in Aigaleo west of Athens, which had a leprosy center. There he had his monastic cell, attended services and chanted at the Church of the Holy Unmercenaries, and there he was buried in the cemetery set aside for lepers. At that time Elder Eumenios Saridakis, who had been a patient at the hospital after coming down with leprosy but was eventually healed there and decided to stay and serve the lepers, also had a cell next to that of Saint Nikephoros, and he was the celebrant priest at the Church of the Holy Unmercenaries. Though the cell of Elder Eumenios still exists, the cell of Saint Nikephoros no longer exists, but there is a small shrine at the spot where the cell once was. 

The First Grave and Reliquary of St. Nikephoros the Leper

Saint Nikephoros the Leper lived the last years of his life and died at the Western Attica General Hospital Agia Barbara in Aigaleo west of Athens, which had a leprosy center. There he had his monastic cell, attended services and chanted at the Church of the Holy Unmercenaries, and there he was buried in the cemetery set aside for lepers. At that time Elder Eumenios Saridakis, who had been a patient at the hospital after coming down with leprosy but was eventually healed there and decided to stay and serve the lepers, also had a cell next to that of Saint Nikephoros, and he was the celebrant priest at the Church of the Holy Unmercenaries. When the body of Saint Nikephoros decomposed, Elder Eumenios gathered his relics and placed them in the yellow metal box pictured above, which served as his first reliquary. The cemetery for lepers where the Saint was buried no longer exists, but on the spot where the Saint was buried today it is a public court for sports as pictured below.

I Met Saint Nikephoros the Leper in 1961

Father Nikephoros, Spiritual Fighter and Guide

By Archimandrite Nikodemos Yiannakopoulos

I met Father Nikephoros in the year 1961 at the Hospital of Infectious Diseases, which was then a Leper Colony. We went, as a companionship of young people then, with the Deacon and later Metropolitan of Chalkida, Nicholas Selentis. He encouraged us to bring some joy to our socially isolated brothers, to embrace them, eat with them from their own plates, and to commune after them.

One of them was Father Nikephoros. The marks of the disease were clear on him. He was blind, mutilated and physically worn out. It could be immediately discerned however, that underneath the sick body was spiritual power, divine zeal, and an endless love and peace that entirely pierced you.

Church of Saint Nikephoros the Leper Consecrated in the Town of His Birth

On 2 October 2018 the consecration of the Church of Saint Nikephoros the Leper took place in his hometown of Sirikari, a small mountain village located in western Crete, in the regional unit of Chania, Greece. It is part of the municipality of Kissamos. The consecration was officiated by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus, Archbishop Irenaeos of Crete, as well as representative Bishops and Clerics from throughout the world. The church is located a short distance from the house the Saint grew up in, which was recently restored and has become a place of pilgrimage.

3 Greek Orthodox Shrines Dedicated to Saint Nikephoros the Leper

1. Church of Saint Nikephoros the Leper in the village of Emporio on the island of Santorini.

It was consecrated on June 21, 2014 and is the first church dedicated to Saint Nikephoros the Leper.

Saint Nikephoros the Leper Resource Page

St. Nikephoros the Leper (Feast Day - January 4)

Synaxarion of Saint Nikephoros the Leper 

 

Venerable Nikephoros the Leper (1890-1964) 

 

Encomium on Behalf of Saint Nikephoros the Leper (Elder Eumenios Saridakis)

 

Venerable Nikephoros the Leper: Hymns and Photos 

 

The House Where St. Nikephoros the Leper Was Born and Raised

 

The Lovokomeio of Chios (The Leper Colony Where Saint Anthimos Served and Saint Nikephoros Was Treated) 

 

Short Film: "Maria of 11" (2018)

 

The Monastic Cell of St. Nikephoros the Leper in Attica

  

The Church of the Holy Unmercenaries in Aigaleo and its Association with St. Nikephoros the Leper 

 

The First Grave and Reliquary of St. Nikephoros the Leper

  

Miracles of Saint Nikephoros the Leper

 

An Eye-Witness Account of Miracles by St. Anthimos of Chios 

 

When Saint Nikephoros the Leper Appeared and Saved Elder Eumenios Saridakis from Certain Death

 

When Saint Nikephoros the Leper Appeared and Banished Away the Sadness of Elder Eumenios Saridakis

 

Saint Nikephoros the Leper and the Deacon Who Secretly Imagined Becoming Patriarch

 

Testimony of a Student of Athoniada on Mount Athos Regarding an Appearance of Saint Nikephoros the Leper 

 

A Wondrous Appearance of Saint Nikephoros the Leper in Athens in 2019  

Saint Nikephoros the Leper, a Spiritual Struggler and Guide

I Met Saint Nikephoros the Leper in 1961 

 

I Knew St. Nikephoros the Leper (video) 

 

Couple Fulfills Vow to Saint Nikephoros the Leper for Saving the Life of Their Child

 

Saint Nikephoros the Leper Is Canonized By the Ecumenical Patriarchate 

 

Russian Church Includes Sts. Prophyrios and Nikephoros in Church Calendar 

 

First Official Celebration of St. Nikephoros the Leper 

 

The First Church Dedicated to St. Nikephoros the Leper 

 

3 Greek Orthodox Shrines Dedicated to Saint Nikephoros the Leper 

 

Church of Saint Nikephoros the Leper Consecrated in the Town of His Birth 

 

Saint Anthimos and the Healing of a Member of Parliament in Chios

 

Saint Anthimos of Chios Resource Page 

 

Saint Eumenios Saridakis Resource Page

 

Spinalonga: The Island of Lepers

 

Father Ananias Koustenis Has Died Due to Complications With the Coronavirus

 

The Last Niece of Saint Nikephoros the Leper Has Reposed

Synaxarion of Saint Nikephoros the Leper

On this day [January 4th], we commemorate our Venerable and God-bearing Father Nikephoros the Leper, who in Chios these latter days persevered in contest and was prominent in asceticism.

Verses

Wearing the schema of a monk Nikephoros,

You became a model of unceasing prayer.

On the fourth of January the leprous flesh 

Of Nikephoros was buried in the earth,

While his all-shining spirit flew off to the heavens.

Our Father Nikephoros, who is all-sacred and wondrous among the saints, had as his homeland the village Serikarion on the great island of Crete, and was born towards the end of the nineteenth century (in the year 1890), from pious parents who were virtuous in the simplicity of their souls and cultivated in faith. When still young he became an orphan, and placed under the care of his paternal grandfather John Tzanakakis.

Russian Church Includes Sts. Prophyrios and Nikephoros in Church Calendar

In its last gathering for 2014, the Holy Synod of the Church of Russia gathered on December 25th under the presidency of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia in the Holy Monastery of Saint Daniel in Moscow.

During the meeting the Holy Synod decided to include in the List of Saints for commemoration both Saint Porphyrios of Kavsokalyva and Saint Nikephoros the Leper.

The First Church Dedicated to St. Nikephoros the Leper

Sacred Metropolis of Thera

June 17, 2014

Romfea.gr

By the grace of God construction work for the Sacred Parish Church of Saint Nikephoros the Leper has been completed in Thera.