Nicholas of Trebizond

Nicholas of Trebizond was a bishop killed in Pontus on 14 February 1920, at the age of sixty-⁠six, after the Turks arrested and tortured him. He is venerated as a new hieromartyr by the Pontic faithful, and has no known canonization. He is commemorated on 14 February.

He was born in Trebizond and as a youth moved with his parents to the small town of Katigogi in the region of Amaseia and Amisos. At eighteen he disguised himself and fled from his siblings to go to a monastery in Jerusalem, burning with longing for the monastic life, but he did not succeed, and his siblings forced him to marry. His wife soon died, leaving him with two children; one died of illness and the other was taken by a relative. Left alone, he was able to fulfil his spiritual longing.

Long hours of study damaged his eyes, and he moved to Constantinople. There he learned the art of medicine, to the benefit of many who were ill. Later he became a monk and was given the gift of foresight. Bishop Euthymios of Zela recognised his great virtues and ordained him bishop for the villages around his region. When his disciples asked why he never stopped working, he answered: "I fear, my children, the Prophet's words: Cursed is he who does the Lord's work carelessly."

After four or five years of shepherding his flock, he was arrested by the Turks as an infidel. Pious Christians found a way to free him, but he refused, because an angel of the Lord had told him to walk the path of martyrdom with joy. After various tortures he gave up his soul on 14 February 1920. After his death many miracles were reported through his prayers.