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Our father among the saints [[saint]]s '''Nicephorus Iof Constantinople''' (, also ''Nikephoros''), and the [[Confessor]], was the [[Patriarch]] of Constantinople from 806 to 815 during the era of [[iconoclasm|iconoclastic]] disputes during the early ninth century. His [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[June 2]], and the [[Translation (relics)|translation ]] of his [[relics]] from Prokonnis to Constantinople on [[March 13]].

{{stub}}St. Nicephorus was born about 758 . He was well educated. His father, Theodore, was secretary to the emperor [[Constantine V]] Copronymus, a iconoclast. Theodore, however, was an iconodule and came into conflict with the emperor who removed him from his position and then had him scourged and tortured before banishing him. Thus, Nicephorus grew up with his father's example of defending the veneration of the images before his eyes.  When Constantine VI and [[Irene of Athens|Irene]] came to the imperial throne and restored the use of sacred images in churches, Nicephorus came to their notice and soon obtained their favor and died was placed in 828his father's former position. He distinguished himself greatly by his zeal against the Iconoclasts. He also was secretary to the [[Seventh Ecumenical Council]]. After the death of [[Patriarch]] [[Tarasius of Constantinople]] on [[February 25]], 806, no one was found more worthy to succeed him than Nicephorus. Like To give an authentic testimony of his faith, during the time of his consecration he held in his namesake hand a treatise he had written in defense of holy images, and fellow-historian Gregoras five centuries laterafter the ceremony was concluded, he sacrificed his position laid it in back the [[altar]] as a pledge that he would always maintain the tradition of the Church. Over the following years, emperor Constantine was blinded, Irene banished, emperor Nicephorus I, her successor, had fallen before the Bulgarians, emperor Michael I was driven from the throne, and, in 813, Leo the Armenian became emperor. He was an iconoclast. Leo began a campaign to suppress the veneration of the [[icon]]s and to persuade Patr. Nicephorus to approve their removal. But, the patriarch did not bend. Forseeing the defense storm gathering, Patr. Nicephorus and several [[bishop]]s and [[abbot]]s spent most of Orthodox doctrine against their time in [[heresyprayer]] . Soon, emperor Leo, with certain Iconoclastic bishops, sent for Patr. Nicephorus and his fellow-bishops. They obeyed the summons to the palace, but entreated the emperor to leave the government of the Orthodox conscience against dictation Church to her pastors. In a rage Leo drove them from his presence. Later, the iconoclast bishops assembled in the stateimperial palace and directed Patr. His patriarchate (806-815) was markedNicephorus to appear before them, to which he responded, "Who gave you this authority?" Saying he would obey only to one of the other patriarchs.  The iconoclastic bishops proceeded to pronounce against him a sentence of [[deposition]] and terminatedthe holy pastor, after several attempts had been made secretly to take away his life, was sent by the reaction instigated by emperor into banishment. Michael the Stammerer, who succeeded Leo V against the restoration Armenian, in 820, also favored the iconoclastic faction, and continued to harass S. Nicephorus, who died in exile, on [[June 2]], 828, in the [[monastery]] of veneration St. Theodore. By order of religious imagesthe empress [[Theodora (9th century empress)|Theodora]], his body was brought to Constantinople with great pomp, on [[March 13]], 846.  His principal works are three writings against iconoclasm.

*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewerFeastSaintsLife.asp?FSID=100792 Translation of the relics of St Nicephorus the Patriarch of Constantinople] ([[OCA]])