NICHOLAS, the holy New Martyr and athlete of Christ, was born in Metsovon of Epirus of pious parents. While still rather young he left his village for Trikala in Thessaly, where he found a job with a baker.
After a year or so, several Moslems coerced him to deny Christ through chickanery, promises and by threats and slander. Alas! After this happened he moved back to his home town to resume a Christian life. A year later he loaded his horse with pine wood and went with certain of his countrymen to Trikala to sell their loads. There he passed by a Turkish barber (who was the aforementioned baker's neighbor) who took hold of Nicholas, dragged him aside and criticized him severely for becoming a Christian again. Nicholas panicked and gave him the whole load of wood and implored the barber not to expose him. The barber told Nicholas that he would say nothing if he promised to bring him a load of wood every year for the rest of his life. Nicholas quickly agreed, and every year he brought wood to the barber.
However, Nicholas regretted the pact he had made, and did not wish to give him wood anymore. Instead he made up his mind to give up his life in order to repudiate his previous denial of Christ. Straightway he went to his spiritual father and disclosed his intention. But he tried to prevent Nicholas, advising him to abandon this plan for perhaps he would be unable to endure the tortures and would fall a second time. He reminded Nicholas of the Lord's words: ...the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).
Undaunted, the blessed one remained firm in his intention, saying that he based his hope on the Lord to strengthen him to bravely withstand the scourgings which he would undergo for His love, and to remain unshakeable in his faith, defeating all his enemies and adversaries. Therefore, beholding blessed Nicholas’ fervor and the eagerness which he possessed for martyrdom, he sustained the lad with many exhortations and blessings and then dismissed him.
With such an iron will and resolve the Saint traveled to Trikala, where the barber seized him by the throat and defiantly demanded:
“Faithless one, where is the wood you promised me!”
Nicholas looked him in the eye, saying:
“I owe you nothing.”
The Turk was incensed at this and cried in a loud voice, denouncing Nicholas. Consequently many Turks ran over to learn what was the matter. As a result, they immediately arrested the righteous one and viciously struck and shoved him all the way to court. In court they testified that he had renounced Christianity and accepted their religion. Under questioning the Martyr 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.”
Being therefore unable to compel him either by flatteries or threats to comply with their will, they beat the holy Martyr with rods for many hours. Afterwards he was flung into a dark prison where he was given neither food nor water but only tortured more. This the Martyr patiently endured, not only with a brave mind, but even with great joy.
Since the Martyr stood firm in the Faith of Christ, they brought him from prison for a second appearance before the judge. Again Nicholas professed loudly and clearly that Christ is true God, that he believed in Him and under no circumstances would he deny Him. The judge was convinced of his irretractable belief and ordered a huge fire to be lit in the middle of the marketplace. Nicholas was to be thrown into the flames. Therefore the holy Martyr was escorted to the place of execution and cast therein, glorifying God. He surrendered his spirit on May 16, 1617.
A potter who was moved by piety went by night to the place to find the holy relics. He saw Hagarenes 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 Varlaam 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 by only its [the relic] presence and consolation, the plague quickly ceased. 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 occurred 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 locations, one of which is at Ioannina, where there is found one-half of the palm of the Saint's hand. By St. Nicholas’ salutary intercessions, may we be rescued from every necessity and affliction. Amen.
*This Monastery is situated at Meteora within the District of Stagon near Kalambaka, and is built on tall and precipitous geological rock formations.
Taken from The New Martyrs of the Turkish Yoke, Translated by Leonida J. Papadopulos, Georgia Lizardos (Mother Mariam), and others. Copyright 1985. All rights reserved.
Note: Another source indicates that St. Nicholas left home at an early age because his parents had died while he was still quite young. It also states that St Nicholas was but twenty-six years old when he gave his life for Christ.
Archbishop Gregory P.O. Box 3177 Buena Vista, CO 81211-3177 USA Email: ArchbishopGregory@starband.net
Copyright 2005.
