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Our venerable and God-bearing Father '''Nikephoros of Chios''' (1750-1821; also ''Nicephoros, Nicephorus, Nikephorus'') is the spiritual son and disciple of [[Macarius of Corinth]] who is was known for his holy life and character, being known as a [[saint]] even during his lifetime. His [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[May 1]].
==Life==
St. Nikephoros was a [[hieromonk]] born around 1750 in the town of Kardamyla, in the northeastern part of the famous Aegean island of [[Metropolis of Chios|Chios]]. As a child he fell seriously ill with a contagious disease. His parents vowed that if he survived he would be given as a monk to the monastery of [[Nea Moni]]. He was educated in Chios, taught and wrote in Chios, led a life of spiritual endeavor there. He loved Chios as his fatherland, and as a place where piety and learning were flourishing. For this reason, and because no occasion arose for him to leave the island, he remained within its confines throughout his lifetime.
:''Although St Nicephorus probably reposed in the summer of 1821, his Feast Day is designated as May 1. He died in a home near the church of St Paraskeve, where he sometimes stayed overnight when he was unable to get back to Resta. His body was brought back to Resta, and was placed in a grave where both St [[Athanasius Parios|Athanasius Parius]] and the monk Nilus had once been buried. The holy [[relics]] of St Nicephorus were uncovered in 1845 and brought to the metropolitan church of Chios. Many years later, the Guild of Tanners asked for the relics and placed them in the church of St George. In 1907, an [[icon]] of St Nicephorus was painted, and a church service was composed in his honor.''<ref>[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=101262 Venerable Nicephorus of Chios] ([[OCA]])</ref>
