Martyr Nikon and his 199 Disciples (261 A.D.)
March 23/April 5
Venerable Martyr Nikon was born in Naples. His father was a pagan, and his mother was a Christian. As he grew up, Nikon remained a pagan. He served as a warrior and was known for his extraordinary bravery and strength. Once, Nikon and his squad were surrounded by enemies. In mortal danger, he remembered his mother's Christian teachings, made the sign of the cross over himself, and prayed to God, promising to get baptized if he was saved. He escaped certain death and, upon returning home, sought a priest to baptize him, a difficult task during times of persecution.
By boat, Saint Nikon reached the island of Chios, climbed a high mountain there, and spent 8 days in fasting and prayer, asking the Lord for help. In a dream, an Angel of God appeared to him, showing him the way. Saint Nikon went to Mount Ganos, where many monks, led by Theodosius, the Bishop of Cyzicus, were hiding. From the bishop, Saint Nikon received the Sacrament of Baptism and the Angelic Habit.
Having settled in a cave church, Saint Nikon became an example for all the brethren. After three years on the mountain, the Bishop was revealed by an Angel to consecrate Venerable Nikon to the bishopric and ordered him to relocate with all the monks to the Sicilian region. Bishop Theodosius fulfilled this and, entrusting Saint Nikon with 190 monks, passed away. After burying Bishop Theodosius, Bishop Nikon sailed with the brethren on a ship to Sicily, escaping the approaching barbarians.
By divine providence, Venerable Nikon visited his native Naples. He found his mother still alive and spent the last days of her life with her. Seeing him, she fell into his arms with tears of joy and kissed him. Making a prostration, she said: "I thank Your Most Holy Name, Lord, that You have led me to see my son in the Angelic Habit and in episcopal dignity; and now, my Lord, hear me, Your servant, and take my soul into Your hands." Having prayed this, the righteous woman passed away. Those present glorified God and buried her with psalmody.
News of Saint Nikon's arrival spread through the town, and nine warriors, his former comrades, came to see him. After speaking with the bishop, they believed, were baptized, and followed him to Sicily. Arriving on the island, Bishop Nikon settled with the monks in a deserted place called Gigia, near the river Asinos.
Many years passed, and persecutions against Christians began again. The ruler of Sicily, Quintian, was informed that Bishop Nikon lived nearby with a large brotherhood. All 199 monks were captured and beheaded, but Saint Nikon was left alive to be subjected to torture. He was burned with fire but remained unharmed; tied to wild horses to be dragged across the ground, but the horses did not move. The saint had his tongue cut out, was stoned, and finally, beheaded.
The body of the holy martyr Nikon was thrown to be eaten by beasts and birds. A shepherd, possessed by an evil spirit, walked in that place and, finding the saint's body, immediately fell face down to the ground because the unclean spirit, expelled by the saint's power, threw him down and came out of him with a loud cry: "Woe to me, woe to me, where can I flee from the face of Nikon?"
The healed shepherd told the local residents about this. The Bishop of the city of Messina also learned about it and, together with the clergy, buried the body of the holy martyr Nikon and his disciples.