Saint
Nicephoros, Patriarch of Constantinople (Transfer of Relics, 846).
Priest
Martyr Puplios, Bishop of Athens (early II Century). Martyrs
Sabinos (+ 287); Africanus, Publius and Terence
(III); Alexander (+ c. 305-311); Christina
of Persia (IV). Monk Aninos the Presbyter.
Moldova
Icon of the Mother of God.
Saint
Nicephoros was a dignitary at the court of the empress Irene
(797-802), and then accepting monasticism, he became known for
his piety. In the year 806 he was elevated to the patriarchal
throne. The saint was a zealous defender of Icon-Veneration. When
the Iconoclast emperor Leo the Armenian (813-820) came to rule,
the saint in 815 was exiled to the Island of Prokonnis, where
he died in the year 828.
In
the year 846 the holy relics of Patriarch Nicephoros were opened,
undecayed and fragrant. They transferred them from Prokonnis to
Constantinople and placed them for one day in the church of Saint
Sophia, and then they transferred them to the church of the Holy
Apostles. The hands of the saint are preserved in the Khilendaria
monastery on Mount Athos.
The
saint left behind three writings, directed against Iconoclasm.
The memory of Saint Nicephoros is celebrated also on 2 June.
The
Holy Martyr Sabinos suffered in Egypt in the year 287.
The
Holy Martyrs Africanus, Publius and Terence suffered in the
III Century at Petrium. Their memory is celebrated also on 10
April.
The
Holy Martyr Alexander was a presbyter in the city of Pidna,
not far from Soluneia (Thessalonika). The saint converted many
pagans to Christianity by his preaching. During the time of the
persecution against Christians under the emperor Maximian Galerius
(305-311), Saint Alexander was subjected to fierce tortures, and
then beheaded.
The
Holy Martyress Christina of Persia was scourged to death for
confessing her faith in Christ, during the IV Century.
The
Monk Aninos the Presbyter -- the account about him is located
under 18 March.
The
Priest Martyr Puplios, Bishop of Athens, living at the beginning
of the II Century, was a successor of the PriestMartyr Dionysios
the Areopagite (Comm.
3 October).