Martyr 3rd century

Martyr Nikephoros of Antioch

died c. 260

Also known as Nicephorus of Antioch in Syria

A layman of Antioch who, reconciling with the priest Sapricius after a bitter quarrel, received the crown of martyrdom in his place when Sapricius, refusing to forgive, denied Christ at the last moment; martyred under Valerian.

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February 9

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The Holy Martyr Nikephoros of Antioch

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Life

Nikephoros of Antioch was a layman of the Syrian city of Antioch who was put to death for confessing Christ during the persecutions of the mid-third century. His commemoration is preserved chiefly for the circumstances surrounding his death, in which he received the martyr's crown that another man had forfeited by refusing to forgive.

According to his synaxarion, Nikephoros had been the close friend of a learned presbyter named Sapricius, but the two fell into a bitter quarrel and their friendship turned to enmity. When persecution broke out, Sapricius was arrested, confessed Christ under torture, and was condemned to beheading; yet, having refused all of Nikephoros's repeated pleas for reconciliation, he lost heart at the place of execution and agreed to sacrifice to the idols. Nikephoros thereupon confessed Christ before the executioners and was beheaded in his stead.

Timeline 4 moments Read Hide

mid-3rd century Friendship and quarrel with Sapricius A layman of Antioch in Syria, Nikephoros was bound in close friendship with the presbyter Sapricius until a disagreement turned their affection into mutual hatred.
before the persecution Repeated appeals for forgiveness Having repented, Nikephoros sought reconciliation many times, both through mutual friends and in person, but Sapricius refused to forgive him.
253-260 Persecution under Valerian and Gallienus During the persecution of Christians under the emperors Valerian and Gallienus, Sapricius was among the first brought before the court. He confessed himself a Christian, endured tortures, and was condemned to death by the sword.
c. 260 Martyrdom of Nikephoros As Sapricius was led to execution he refused Nikephoros's final plea for forgiveness; losing courage at the last moment, he agreed to offer sacrifice to the idols. Nikephoros then openly confessed Christ and was beheaded in his place.

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The quarrel and the martyrdom

The sources name Sapricius as a presbyter of Antioch and Nikephoros as a layman, describing the two as so close that they were considered as brothers before a disagreement turned their love into enmity. After a time Nikephoros came to himself, repented, and more than once asked Sapricius to forgive him, sending mutual friends as intermediaries and at length going to him in person; Sapricius remained adamant.

When the emperors Valerian (253-259) and Gallienus (260-268) began to persecute Christians, Sapricius was among the first summoned before the court. He firmly confessed his faith, underwent tortures, and was sentenced to be beheaded. As he was led out, Nikephoros implored him once more, by tradition addressing him as a martyr of Christ and begging forgiveness for any wrong; Sapricius would not relent.

The synaxarion relates that, his heart hardened, Sapricius was abandoned by divine grace and was not permitted to receive the martyr's crown: at the place of execution he was suddenly seized with fear of death and agreed to sacrifice to the idols. Nikephoros at once confessed Christ before the executioners and asked to die in his stead. He was beheaded, and is remembered as having taken up the crown that Sapricius had cast away. His commemoration is preserved as a lesson on the necessity of forgiveness and love.

Notes

His life is a celebrated lesson on the necessity of forgiveness and love.

Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org)