Saint Nikiforos the Leper and Wonderworker

Kontakion 1

The valiant athlete of endurance and of fortitude, the steadfast diamond of great patience and longsuffering, who was tried by the affliction and pains of illness, and who in this way did glorify the Most High God, let us praise and laud the leper Nikiforos, saying unto him: Rejoice, Nikiforos, true namesake of victory.

Ikos 1

Rendering special honor let us chant joyful praises to Saint Nikiforos the Leper for his blameless way of life here on earth and his diligent zeal worthy of heaven’s kingdom, and singing the angelic hymn, “Rejoice,” let us extol him thus:

Rejoice, O vessel of God’s blessing;
Rejoice, O myrrh of wondrous fragrance.
Rejoice, O thriving offshoot of the Church’s vine;
Rejoice, O fully ripened fruit of the Gospel of Christ.
Rejoice, for you heeded the voice of the Lord’s calling;
Rejoice, for you shouldered your cross from childhood.
Rejoice, for through harsh leprosy you were refined like gold;
Rejoice, for thereby purified, you shine whiter than snow.
Rejoice, O unquenchable vigil lamp beaming divine light;
Rejoice, O inexhaustible vessel bearing divine gifts.
Rejoice, O man who greeted all most amiably;
Rejoice, O father who freely imparted sympathy.
Rejoice, O Nikiforos, true namesake of victory.

Kontakion 2

Casting off the oppression of sloth and the darkness of passions, O Saint Nikiforos, you acquired the light of dispassion and were borne on the wings of the Spirit heavenward; thus reaching the habitations there, you sang to God with vigilant mind: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

Of your own free will you drew nigh to Christ from childhood, OSaint Nikiforos; thuswith eagerness and boundless zeal you bore on your shoulders the cross, following Him until the very end unhindered, so now we cry out to you readily:

Rejoice, the Lord’s good faithful servant;
Rejoice, the demons’ overthrower.
Rejoice, diligent student of God’s holy righteousness;
Rejoice, ardent lover of His sacred commandments.
Rejoice, for you described to us the grandeur of Paradise;
Rejoice, for you inherited the heavenly rewards.
Rejoice, indelible seal of temperance;
Rejoice, support of those who struggle for God.
Rejoice, O lantern on a golden lampstand, shining light;
Rejoice, O harp sounding a sweet, harmonious melody.
Rejoice, O Father Nikiforos, every leper’s boast and pride;
Rejoice, O holy God-seer, staff of guidance for the blind.
Rejoice, O Nikiforos, true namesake of victory.

Kontakion 3

Gaining intimacy with the Lord God of all by your vigils and tears, prayers and fasting, you conversed with Him at all times as a man speaks to his closest friend, O blessed one, and chanted to Him with sweet voice the most befitting hymn of angels: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

“For Your love, O my Savior and sweet Benefactor, I bear every harsh pain of my body, in return for Your great sacrifice on the Cross,” thus you cried out, O Saint Nikiforos. And we, offering likewise our devotion to you, cry out thankfully:

Rejoice, O pillar of endurance;
Rejoice, O bedrock of true courage.
Rejoice, unerring guide leading monastics by the hand;
Rejoice, shining example of the true monastic life.
Rejoice, for by ascetic toils you killed the soul-corrupting passions;
Rejoice, for by humility you brought to life the strength of your spirit.
Rejoice, for you did imitate the angelic way of life;
Rejoice, for you did walk the straight and narrow path of Christ.
Rejoice, O book surely inscribed with ardent love for God;
Rejoice, O whip repelling repulsive demons and their guile.
Rejoice, for you consorted with the spiritual dew of Hermon;
Rejoice, for you collected boundless wealth in the spiritual Zion.
Rejoice, O Nikiforos, true namesake of victory.

Kontakion 4

By noetically girding your loins with the belt of austere temperance, O Saint Nikiforos, you put fleshly passions to death, and lived as one fleshless while still in the body; thus imitating the angelic life, you glorified God with the angels, chanting: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Bright and splendid as lightning, full of heavenly glory, you adorn Christ’s Church, O Saint Nikiforos; thus, adorned with a radiant crown of exceptional honor, you lead everyone to marvel at your comeliness, O Leper, and to shout with fervor

Rejoice, O joy and gladness of Cretans;
Rejoice, O adornment of the people of Chios,
Rejoice, for you despised the wearisome encumbrance of the world;
Rejoice, for you put on the heavenly schema of angels.
Rejoice, for the words of your mouth brought consolation to the faithful;
Rejoice, for the opening of your lips set forth excellent teaching.
Rejoice, O faithful worker in the vineyard of the Lord;
Rejoice, O good cultivator of the soil in His field.
Rejoice, you who philosophized on the soul’s pre-eminence;
Rejoice, you who theologized on the grandeur of heaven.
Rejoice, for day and night you offered prayers unto God;
Rejoice, for in all things did you render Him thanks.
Rejoice, O Nikiforos, true namesake of victory.

Kontakion 5

You worked strange signs and wonders through God’s wondrous power, O laudable leper Nikiforos; for indeed, you were seen during prayer lifted up off the ground, standing high in the air, from whence you sang praises to God in the heavens, crying out without ceasing from the depths of your heart. Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Come and let us behold the incredible courage of saint Nikiforos the Leper, who endured the many long years in confinement at Chios’ leper community; and marveling at his great patience, let us cry out to him with fervor:

Rejoice, O Nikiforos, lauded victory-bearer;
Rejoice, O steadfast athlete and trophy-bearer.
Rejoice, for you imitated the contests of Job;
Rejoice, for you persevered in the arena of leprosy.
Rejoice, adornment of the choir of the Church’s new ascetics;
Rejoice, O treader of the path walked by saintly monastics.
Rejoice, for you came to know the treasure of God’s abundant gifts;
Rejoice, for you became rich with the wealth of His heavenly blessings.
Rejoice, for you received the full reward of your good hope;
Rejoice, for you communicate the love of God to all.
Rejoice, for out of Crete you have shone forth throughout the world;
Rejoice, for now you bring to all creation light and joy.
Rejoice, O Nikiforos, true namesake of victory.

Kontakion 6

Considering as gain the pains of your flesh, O most blessed leper Nikiforos, like Job you gave thanks unto God from your heart, glorifying His great mercy and incomparable love for all mankind, chanting ever the hymn of thanksgiving: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

Idle words never came from your lips, holy Father, divinely wise Saint Nikiforos, for you treasured godly silence, only contemplating words of prayer; yet you strengthened the faithful with your good counsel, and now, following heedfully your teachings, we all cry out to you:

Rejoice, O springtime of godliness;
Rejoice, O blossom of truthfulness.
Rejoice, for you made yourself into a holy house of God;
Rejoice, for you received the grace of His heavenly dew.
Rejoice, you who attended fervently to God’s holy commandments;
Rejoice, you who spoke the mystical language of the Scriptures’ wisdom.
Rejoice, for you worthily received imperishable rewards;
Rejoice, for you gloriously dwell in the abodes of the righteous.
Rejoice, for as a guiding staff you took up the Cross of Christ;
Rejoice, for you have finished well the journey of ascetic life,
Rejoice, O friend of Christ and faithful student of the Church;
Rejoice, O prudent disciple of the wise Saint Anthimos.
Rejoice, O Nikiforos, true namesake of victory.

Kontakion 7

On your lips you bore always the words of the Gospel which are truly far sweeter than honey, O divinely wise Father Nikiforos; and as a diligent reader of the Psalter of David, together with him you offered the Lord a joyful ode of thanksgiving, chanting: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

For choice fragrance you offered to Christ precious spikenard: the gift of your heart’s deep compunction. As one wealthy in virtuous tears, your constant companion was joyful mourning and remembrance of death your consolation; so console us now who remember you and daily cry to you with fervor:

Rejoice, O friend of solitude;
Rejoice, O master of temperance.
Rejoice, O river flooding with the wondrous gifts of grace;
Rejoice, O ocean of great depth, brimming with miracles.
Rejoice, for you support those who are shaken by life’s storms;
Rejoice, for you bring joy to those distressed by dreadful trials.
Rejoice, O icon of compassion, inscribed by God’s hand;
Rejoice, O measure most exact of a proper, moral life.
Rejoice, for you conversed with God, as friend speaks unto friend;
Rejoice, for you drew near to His love most intimately.
Rejoice, O model of genuine, precise obedience;
Rejoice, O expert in the blameless conduct of life’s course.
Rejoice, O Nikiforos, true namesake of victory.

Kontakion 8

Of your own accord, Father, becoming a stranger to th world and to all worldly matters, you left to dwell in the Hous of your Lord, whose fatherly sympathy you long experienced and as a son you brought to Him your soul’s great fervor, cryin in gladness: Alleluia

Ikos 8

Leprosy devastated your physical vision, until finally, O Saint Nikiforos, you reached the horrible pain of complete blindness in your earthly eyes; but you saw the surpassing beauty of God, whose likeness you reveal to those who cry out unto you in faith:

Rejoice, O sacred trophy of dignity;
Rejoice, O torch of celebration.
Rejoice, for you strengthen the hearts of the faithful;
Rejoice, for you dispel the darkness of the passions.
Rejoice, for you show us how to walk the straight and narrow path;
Rejoice, for you learned how to ascend and encounter the divine.
Rejoice, O trumpet majestically sounding abroad godly teaching;
Rejoice, O harp melodiously intoning the odes of angels.
Rejoice, O lustrous pearl resplendent in the holy Church;
Rejoice, O wondrous citizen of God’s heavenly Kingdom.
Rejoice, for you sowed bountifully in the house of the Lord;
Rejoice, for you reaped plentifully the spiritual harvest.
Rejoice, O Nikiforos, true namesake of victory.

Kontakion 9

As one rich in mercy and compassion, you strengthened those suffering greatly, O Father, with affection and true sympathy, imparting the treasure of your love to everyone, as a lover of God who loves mankind to whom in psalms of praise you chanted the ode of your tender love towards Him, crying: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

As a rose bright and beautiful, O saint Nikiforos, you budded on the island of Crete, and exuded fragrance throughout all creation with the myrrh of your divine way of life; thus you fill with fragrance the spiritual senses of those who in faith cry to you the following:

Rejoice, O lily of the Church;
Rejoice, O gift of spiritual feasting.
Rejoice, O man adorned with the beauty of the love of Christ;
Rejoice, O monk incorruptibly clothed with the gladness of divine virtues.
Rejoice, for as the psalmist you have drenched your couch with tears;
Rejoice, for you found within yourself the wellspring of rejoicing.
Rejoice, for you kept vigil like a sparrow in the desert;
Rejoice, for you patiently endured struggles in your confinement.
Rejoice, for your life was marked by true detachment from possessions;
Rejoice, for humble-mindedness gave you strength in all situations.
Rejoice, O many-stringed lyre of the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice, O instrument sweetly sounding sacred melodies.
Rejoice, O Nikiforos, true namesake of victory.

Kontakion 10

Leap for joy, isle of Crete, and rejoice as a mother over Saint Nikiforos the Leper, for you offered him to the Lord God as a rational flower of divine aroma, and delighting in his fragrance now, in churches we sing the hymn, rejoicing: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

With what words shall we tell of your steadfast endurance, O leper, Saint Nikiforos? For bearing the cross of your illness without bending under the weight of severe pains, you attained to the joy of the righteous, and with them we cry out to you, rejoicing:

Rejoice, O distinguished among the righteous;
Rejoice, O renowned among ascetics.
Rejoice, O lampstand set on the hilltop, shining light to all;
Rejoice, O holy vigil lamp, well-kept and full of oil.
Rejoice, for wisely you escaped the violent storms of passions;
Rejoice, for readily you reached the calm and peaceful harbor.
Rejoice, O mirror reflecting beams of new and divine light.
Rejoice, O instrument that plays a heavenly harmony.
Rejoice, for you made white the hideous garment of corruption;
Rejoice, for you put on the garment of true exaltation.
Rejoice, for your life was blameless and your manners were sincere;
Rejoice, for your conduct was virtuous and your words benefit all.
Rejoice, O Nikiforos, true namesake of victory.

Kontakion 11

Neither sleep to your eyes nor slumber to your eyelids did you give, blessed Saint Nikiforos; but conversing with God day and night in deep intimacy, you sang hymns unceasingly, persevering in prayers and supplications and crying from the depths of your heart: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

Keeping most conscientiously all God’s commandments as a good, faithful servant, O Father, and having increased the talent He gave you, you heard from the Master, “Enter into Paradise.” And now you hear praises from us also ever extolling as befits you:

Rejoice, O worthy of all praise;
Rejoice, O deserving of great crowns.
Rejoice, O wondrous man among the righteous and holy fathers;
Rejoice, O elect among those who inherit the Lord’s blessings.
Rejoice, for you have guarded well the good inheritance;
Rejoice, for you secured in Eden a lasting residence.
Rejoice, O godly-minded Saint, imitator of the angels;
Rejoice, O pillar of the Church, shining like the stars in heaven.
Rejoice, for you received your fame from the glory which is genuine;
Rejoice, loving communicant of the precious Mysteries of Christ.
Rejoice, for you served God as a son works for his own father;
Rejoice, for you showed obedience to Saint Anthimos, your elder.
Rejoice, O Nikiforos. true namesake of victory.

Kontakion 12

God granted you grace for grace to work miracles abundantly, Saint Nikiforos, and now your prayers heal the sick, and you help with greatest sympathy all those suffering; always granting assistance to everyone who calls upon you, chanting the hymn: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Lies did not pass your lips, not even for your neighbors’ sake, O wise and meek Saint Nikiforos; but in truth you loved all as true brothers, receiving in turn their respect and affection and most reverent admiration, in which spirit we, too, call out duly:

Rejoice, O vessel of God’s grace;
Rejoice, O treasury of His Spirit.
Rejoice, for you were glorified by a wealth of divine graces;
Rejoice, for in turn you gave glory to God and His great mercy,
Rejoice, for leprous was your flesh, but deified through ascetic life;
Rejoice, for unblemished was your soul, achieving sanctity.
Rejoice, you whom choirs of saints received in heaven gloriously
Rejoice, you whom angelic hosts presented unto God the King,
Rejoice, fervent protector of the islands Crete and Chios;
Rejoice, supporter of the city of Alexandria.
Rejoice, O guardian of the Leprosy Treatment Center in Athens;
Rejoice, wise counselor and father of the Elder Evmenios.
Rejoice, O Nikiforos, true namesake of victory.

Kontakion 13

Holy Father, equal to the early ascetics, O Saint Nikiforos the Leper, by your prayers cleanse our souls from the sores and the blemishes of our passions’ leprosy, we pray you, that embracing the fragrant treasure of your holy relics, we might find blessing in your merciful good providence chanting to you a hymn of thanksgiving: Alleluia.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

(Repeat the above Kontakion 13, 3 times)
(Then continue below)

Ikos 1

Kontakion 1

Doxastiko of the Stichera

Come, let us all honor venerable Nikiforos, the lover of godliness, the fighter of the good fight, the cornerstone of patience. For having passed through the fire and water of the agony of leprosy, he emerged into refreshing joy. And having been fired in the furnace of sorrows, he was burnished brighter than gold, and now bestows on our souls the joy which saves.

Old Testament readings:

Wisdom of Solomon (4, 7-15)
Wisdom of Solomon (3, 1-9)
Wisdom of Solomon (5, 15-23, 6, 1-3)

Doxastiko of the Aposticha

With your mind on heaven, you ascended the celestial ladder of the divine virtues, Nikiforos, guided by the godly admonitions of your great teacher, Anthimos, who, in these latter years, sanctified the island of Chios with his struggles for blessedness and who most wonderfully adorned the whole Church with sacred miracles. With him, entreat God, our infinitely compassionate Father, to count us also worthy of divine adornment in His Kingdom.

Dismissal Hymn

Angels were astonished at the efforts of Saint Nikiforos the Leper and at his bravery in his struggles. For he endured his sufferings, glorifying God, Who has now crowned him in glory and distinguished him with miracles. Hail, guide of monastics, hail radiant light, hail to you who pour out the fragrance of joy from your relics.

Akathist to Saint Nikiforos the Leper and Wonderworker

Kontakion 1

Ikos 1

Kontakion 2

Ikos 2

Kontakion 3

Ikos 3

Kontakion 4

Ikos 4

Kontakion 5

Ikos 5

Kontakion 6

Ikos 6

Kontakion 7

Ikos 7

Kontakion 8

Ikos 8

Kontakion 9

Ikos 9

Kontakion 10

Ikos 10

Kontakion 11

Ikos 11

Kontakion 12

Ikos 12

Kontakion 13

Ikos 1

Kontakion 1

Doxastiko of the Stichera

Doxastiko of the Aposticha

Dismissal Hymn