St Nicolas Mysticus, Patriarch of Constantinople
Commemorated May 16
He was renowned for the rare austerity of his life. The Emperor Leo VI had married four times, and the Patriarch therefore forbade him entry to the church, and the priests who had married him were unfrocked. The Emperor cast the Patriarch out and drove him into a monastery. The delegates of the Roman Pontiff, Sergius III, gave their approval to the Emperor's fourth marriage, but, when the Emperor died, Nicolas was restored to the patriarchal throne and called a Council in 925, at which fourth marriages were in general forbidden to Christians. 'Mysticus' signifies the senior member of the imperial council. This saint was such at first, then a high-ranking courtier, but after this he forsook the vanity of the world and was tonsured. He died peacefully in 930.
Troparion
As a rule of faith and model of tenderness, and teacher of abstinence hath the reality shewn thee unto thy flock; there withal hast thou acquired by humility greatness, by poverty riches; O father hierarch Nicolas, intercede before Christ the God that our souls may be saved.
Kontakion
O divine thunder, spiritual trumpet, planter of faith and cutter off of heresies, great favourite of the Trinity, hierarch Nicolas, standing with the angels before God do ever and unceasingly pray for us all.
Source: Crkveni Kalendar
