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{{cleanup}}Our father among the [[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]].
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==Life==St. Nicephorus was born about 758 and died in 828. Like his namesake and fellow-historian Gregoras five centuries laterHe was well educated. His father, Theodore, he sacrificed his position in was secretary to the defense of Orthodox doctrine against emperor [[heresyConstantine V]] Copronymus, a iconoclast. Theodore, however, was an iconodule and came into conflict with the Orthodox conscience against dictation emperor who removed him from the statehis position and then had him scourged and tortured before banishing him. His patriarchate (806-815) was markedThus, and terminated, by the reaction instigated by Leo V against Nicephorus grew up with his father's example of defending the restoration of veneration of religious the imagesbefore 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 was placed in his 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. To give an authentic testimony of his faith, during the time of his consecration he held in his hand a treatise he had written in defense of holy images, and after the ceremony was concluded, he 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 storm gathering, Patr. Nicephorus and several [[bishop]]s and [[abbot]]s spent most of their time in [[prayer]]. 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 Church to her pastors. In a rage Leo drove them from his presence. Later, the iconoclast bishops assembled in the imperial palace and directed Patr. Nicephorus 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 the holy pastor, after several attempts had been made secretly to take away his life, was sent by the emperor into banishment. Michael the Stammerer, who succeeded Leo the 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 St. Theodore. By order of the 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. ==Hymns==[[Troparion]] ([[Tone]] 3) [http://www.oca.org/FSTropars.asp?ID=101581]:Your inspired confession gained victory for the Church,:O holy [[Hierarch]] Nicephorus.:You suffered unjust exile through reverence for the [[icon]] of God the Word.:O righteous Father,:Pray to Christ our God to grant us his great mercy! Troparion (Tone 4) [http://www.oca.org/FSTropars.asp?ID=101581]:Christ the Truth of All has shown you to your flock as a model of faith,:An image of [[meekness]] and a teacher of [[abstinence]].:You attained [[heaven]] through [[humility]]:And acquire riches through poverty.:O holy Father Nicephorus,:Intercede with Christ to save our souls. [[Kontakion]] (Tone 4) [http://www.oca.org/FSTropars.asp?ID=101581]:You received from God the victor's crown;:Now save those who faithfully honor you:As a hierarch and teacher of Christ! {{start box}}{{succession|before=[[Tarasius of Constantinople|Tarasius]]|title=[[List of Patriarchs of Constantinople|Patriarch of Constantinople]]|years=806 – 815|after=[[Theodotus I of Constantinople|Theodotus I]]}}{{end box}} ==Source==*[http://www.archive.org/stream/livesofsaints03bariiala/livesofsaints03bariiala_djvu.txt The Lives of the Saints - UCLA Library Vol 3] ==External links==*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsLife.asp?FSID=100792 Translation of the relics of St Nicephorus the Patriarch of Constantinople] ([[OCA]])*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=101581 St Nicephorus the Confessor the Patriarch of Constantinople] (OCA)*"Nicephorus" in ''New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge'', Vol. VIII, pp. [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc08/Page_158.html 158]-[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc08/Page_159.html 159] at the Christian Classics Ethereal Library*[[w:Ecumenical Patriarch Nikephoros I of Constantinople|''Ecumenical Patriarch Nikephoros I of Constantinople'' at Wikipedia]] [[Category: Saints]][[Category:Byzantine Saints]][[Category: Patriarchs of ConstantiopleConstantinople]][[Category: Bishops]][[Category:9th-century bishops]][[Category:9th-century saints]] [[ro:Nichifor I al Constantinopolului]]
