Tuesday, Cheesefare Week
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hardness of heart, don't walk the walk when it comes to loving our
neighbors and fellow Christians. Sometimes, it takes only a little
urging to get our hearts in the right direction. In the middle of
mourning the loss of a talented choir director enjoyed last Lent, it
was easy to recall other directors who had led and sung other Triod
periods, and to realize that the words we will be singing themselves
soften hard hearts so that even the worst directors cannot be immune
and that there is hope in loving even the harshest among us. So
instead of mourning who I cannot have with us, at present, still we
are engaged in a beautiful act of sound and service. Now the Powers of
Heaven.....Nine sili Nebesni ...
Martyr Nicephorus of Antioch, in Syria, Commemorated on February 9
The Holy Martyr Nicephorus lived in the city of Antioch. In this city
lived also the presbyter Sapricius, with whom Nicephorus was very
friendly, so that they were considered as brothers. They quarreled
because of some disagreement, and their former love changed into
enmity and hate.
After a certain time Nicephorus came to his senses, repented of his
sin and more than once asked Sapricius, through mutual friends, to
forgive him. Sapricius, however, did not wish to forgive him.
Nicephorus then went to his former friend and fervently asked
forgiveness, but Sapricius was adamant.
At this time the emperors Valerian (253-259) and Gallius (260-268)
began to persecute Christians, and one of the first brought before the
court was the priest Sapricius. He firmly confessed himself a
Christian, underwent tortures for his faith and was condemned to death
by beheading with a sword. As they led Sapricius to execution,
Nicephorus tearfully implored his forgiveness saying, "O martyr of
Christ, forgive me if I have sinned against you in any way."
The priest Sapricius remained stubborn, and even as he approached
death he refused to forgive his fellow Christian. Seeing the hardness
of his heart, the Lord withdrew His blessing from Sapricius, and would
not let him receive the crown of martyrdom. At the last moment, he
suddenly became afraid of death and agreed to offer sacrifice to
idols. In vain did St Nicephorus urge Sapricius not to lose his reward
through apostasy, since he already stood on the threshold of the
heavenly Kingdom.
St Nicephorus then said to the executioner, "I am a Christian, and I
believe in our Lord Jesus Christ. Execute me in place of Sapricius."
The executioners reported this to the governor. He decided to free
Sapricius, and to behead Nicephorus in his place. Thus did St
Nicephorus inherit the Kingdom and receive a martyr's crown.