Feast Day: May 9th
The Life of Saint Nicholas and his companions, the Monks Saint Gregory, Saint Demetrius, Saint Evodius, Saint Theodore, Saint John, Saint Michael, Saint Pancratius, Saint Panteleon, Saint Christopher, Saint Emilian and the Nuns Saint Irene and Saint Pelagia: One evening, while in Prayer, the Angel of the Lord appeared and announced to Saint Nicholas that his disciples would soon be Martyred for Christ…
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Prayers
Apolytikion – 4th Tone: As the free physician of the sick, and the impregnable help of those in dangers, the fervent protector of those in troubles, and the defender of those with all needs, O Righteous-<artyr from the East Nicholas, intercede with Christ God to save our Souls.
Megalynarion: Hail O bright lamp of Vounena, and radiant lamp-bearer of Thessaly, Hail the Righteous-Martyr boast of Andros, and fervent intercessor to Christ, Nicholas.
Saint Nicholas and his soldiers retreated to the village called Vounena, where there were several Hermitages in the steep hills. They settled there living as Monastics in chastity and Prayer.
One evening while he was Praying, an Angel of the Lord appeared and announced to Saint Nicholas that his disciples would soon be Martyred for Christ. Indeed, the enemies captured them, and submitted them to a multitude of torments, urging them to abandon their Faith. but they remained faithful to Christ and their names have thus been written in the Book of Life. The Holy Martyrs are known to be the Monks Gregory, Demetrius, Evodius, Theodore, John, Michael, Pancratius, Panteleon, Christopher and Emilian, and the Nuns Irene and Pelagia.
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Saint Nicholas escaped and continued his Ascetic life in a cave which was covered by an oak tree. But soon he too was also captured, tortured to deny his Faith, and Martyred for Christ. He was tortured for ten days, until he received the Crown of Glory and entered into the Choir of Martyrs.
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Every year on the Saint’s Feast Day (on both the New and Old Calendar) in Vounena, Thessaly, at the Church dedicated to him, at the Saint’s Grave and his place of Martyrdom, a red-colored “blood” Miraculously flows and is gathered by the faithful, causing many Healings by the Grace of Christ.
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