Monday, 23 March 2026

Martyr Nikon and 199 Disciples

Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent

20 days before Pascha · Tone 8 · Liturgy · Lenten Fast

Saints commemorated

Holy Hieromartyr Nicon and his 199 disciples

He was born in Neapolis (Naples) to a pagan father and a Christian mother, and became an officer in the Roman army. Though he was not baptised, his mother had secretly instructed him in the Christian faith. Once, in a battle, his company was completely surrounded by the enemy, and Nikon recalled his mother’s counseling that, whenever he was in trouble, he should make the sign of the Cross and call upon Christ. This he did, and was immediately filled with strength and resolution, so that the enemy’s army was routed. Nikon went home, openly crying out ‘Great is the God of the Christians!’ to the great joy of his mother.

He traveled secretly to Cyzicus in Asia, where the bishop Theodosius baptised him. He then entered a monastery to spend his days in prayer and study. But some years later Theodosius, who was near death, had a vision in which he was told to consecrate Nikon as his successor. He summoned Nikon from the monastery and, to the monk’s amazement, immediately ordained him a deacon, then a priest, then a bishop.

Later, bishop Nikon returned to Italy to preach the Gospel of Christ. In Naples, he found his mother still alive, and remained with her until her death. He then set out with nine disciples, former fellow-soldiers, to proclaim the Faith. Through the Saint’s grace-filled preaching and example, many more disciples were soon added to this number. At that time a great persecution of Christians was underway, and Quintinianus, ruler of that region, seized Nikon and his companions and handed them over to the torturers. One hundred ninety of Nikon’s companions perished under torture. Nikon himself was beaten, flayed, and even thrown from a high cliff, but was miraculously preserved. Finally he was slain by the sword and his body thrown in a field to be eaten by the beasts. A shepherd boy, possessed by a spirit of madness, found the body, fell on it, and was instantly healed. He told his story to some Christians, who found the body and gave it honorable burial. Saint Nikon contested during the reign of the Emperor Decius.

Saint Luke the new martyr of Mytilene

Saint Luke the new martyr was born around 1564 on the island of Lesbos in the village of Adrianoi. Captured as a youth by Turks and forced to convert to Islam, he later escaped to Mount Athos, where he repented bitterly and was reconciled to the Church. Determined to confess Christ openly before those who had compelled his apostasy, he travelled to Mytilene and proclaimed his faith before the Turkish authorities. After cruel tortures, he was hanged on 23 March 1592, sealing his witness with martyrdom. His relics were recovered by Christians and venerated as a source of healing. He is numbered among the new martyrs who suffered under the Ottoman yoke for the confession of Christ.

Saint Pachomius of Nerekhta, abbot

1384

Saint Pachomius of Nerekhta was born around 1325 in Vladimir to the family of a priest, and was given the name Iakov in baptism. Drawn to monastic life from his youth, he entered the Nativity of the Mother of God Monastery in Vladimir, where he was tonsured and later ordained. Seeking deeper solitude, he withdrew to the wilderness near the river Nerekhta in the region of Kostroma. There, on a hill called Sypanovo, he built a chapel and a cell, attracted disciples, and founded a monastery dedicated to the Holy Trinity. He himself painted the icon of the Trinity for the new church. Renowned for humility, prayer, and care for the poor, he reposed in 1384. His relics rest at the Sypanov Trinity Monastery, where many miracles of healing have been recorded.

Venerable Nicon, Abbot of the Kiev Caves

Saint Nicon was a venerable abbot and elder of the Caves Monastery (Pecherskaya Lavra) in Kiev. He lived during the early period of monasticism in Kyivan Rus and was renowned for his ascetic labours, spiritual wisdom, and leadership of the monastic community. Nicon strengthened the traditions of strict monastic discipline and deep prayer within the monastery. His teachings on the spiritual life and his example of humble obedience influenced many monastics. He is remembered as a pillar of the monastic tradition in the East Slavic lands and a guide for those seeking salvation through the monastic life.

Daily readings

6th Hour

weekly cycle

Isaiah — Isaiah 37.33-38.6

³³Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shields, nor cast a bank against it. ³⁴By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD. ³⁵For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake. ³⁶Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.

³⁷So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh. ³⁸And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia: and Esar-haddon his son reigned in his stead.

¹In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. ²Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, ³And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.

⁴Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying, ⁵Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years. ⁶And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city.

Vespers

weekly cycle

Genesis — Genesis 13.12-18

¹²Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. ¹³But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

¹⁴And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: ¹⁵For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. ¹⁶And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. ¹⁷Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. ¹⁸Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.

Vespers

weekly cycle

Proverbs — Proverbs 14.27-15.4

²⁷The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. ²⁸In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince. ²⁹He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. ³⁰A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. ³¹He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. ³²The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. ³³Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known. ³⁴Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. ³⁵The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

¹A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. ²The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. ³The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. ⁴A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.