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| St. Nicholas of Kokova (Feast Day - August 9 & Thomas Sunday) |
Born in the village of Polydendri in Imathia, then called Kokova, Nicholas was a disciple in spirit of the Holy Hieromartyr Kosmas the Aitolos, who had passed through and preached in his village. At a young age he went to Naousa to work as a tailor. There he found himself in great ruin in 1822.
The young Nicholas was in Naousa when it was captured by the Turks, who entered the city after the great disaster, and led them to Kioski before Ebu Lubut Pasha. One by one the people of Naousa passed in front of the Turkish Pasha who asked their name and what they believed. As soon as they said they were Christians and wanted to die Christians, the executioner's sword beheaded them.
With courage and bravery Nicholas stood before the Turkish Pasha, said his name and declared that he was a Christian and as a Christian he would die. With the same bravery he marched towards martyrdom. The executioner's sword cut off his head and opened the gate of heaven for him. While the headless and lifeless body of the martyr fell on the pile with the bodies of those who had already been martyred, he suddenly got up and holding in his hands the head which had just been cut off of him, he began to march towards the Turkish Pasha. Terrified by the paradoxical event he saw in front of him, the Pasha immediately ordered the unjust slaughter of the innocent to stop.
His memory is celebrated on August 9, but he is also honored together with the other 1240 Neomartyrs of Naousa on Thomas Sunday.
The young Nicholas was in Naousa when it was captured by the Turks, who entered the city after the great disaster, and led them to Kioski before Ebu Lubut Pasha. One by one the people of Naousa passed in front of the Turkish Pasha who asked their name and what they believed. As soon as they said they were Christians and wanted to die Christians, the executioner's sword beheaded them.
With courage and bravery Nicholas stood before the Turkish Pasha, said his name and declared that he was a Christian and as a Christian he would die. With the same bravery he marched towards martyrdom. The executioner's sword cut off his head and opened the gate of heaven for him. While the headless and lifeless body of the martyr fell on the pile with the bodies of those who had already been martyred, he suddenly got up and holding in his hands the head which had just been cut off of him, he began to march towards the Turkish Pasha. Terrified by the paradoxical event he saw in front of him, the Pasha immediately ordered the unjust slaughter of the innocent to stop.
His memory is celebrated on August 9, but he is also honored together with the other 1240 Neomartyrs of Naousa on Thomas Sunday.
Apolytikion. Tone 4. Kanona Pisteos.
You have shown to be an adornment of Martyrs, and boast of those who suffer, having been slain in Naousa, O Nicholas, by beheading, O brave one. For this reason we fervently remember your slaughter, exalting you today: Rejoice thrice-blessed Neomartyr, and intercede to Christ God, that our souls may be saved.
Another Apolytikion. Tone 1. Tis Erimou Polites.
Your honorable head, thrice-blessed one, was cut off near a tree in Naousa, O Nicholas, martyr chosen by God; as you walked towards heaven, you frightened your unjust murderers, and were the one responsible for bringing, O champion, salvation to many, blessed one. Glory to your boldness, wise one, glory to your endurance, glory to your suffering beheading, which you bore.
You have shown to be an adornment of Martyrs, and boast of those who suffer, having been slain in Naousa, O Nicholas, by beheading, O brave one. For this reason we fervently remember your slaughter, exalting you today: Rejoice thrice-blessed Neomartyr, and intercede to Christ God, that our souls may be saved.
Another Apolytikion. Tone 1. Tis Erimou Polites.
Your honorable head, thrice-blessed one, was cut off near a tree in Naousa, O Nicholas, martyr chosen by God; as you walked towards heaven, you frightened your unjust murderers, and were the one responsible for bringing, O champion, salvation to many, blessed one. Glory to your boldness, wise one, glory to your endurance, glory to your suffering beheading, which you bore.