Nikephoros of Crete

Holy New Martyr Nikephoros of Crete was born in 1802 in the town of Kritsa in Merambello, Crete, the son of Tzanis. He married a Muslim woman, Fetma, and they had two sons. Nikephoros renounced the faith and became a Muslim with the name Ibrahim. By God's providence he came to himself and repented of his lapse, and from then on lived as a Christian.

His wife noticed the change and denounced him to the authorities. Nikephoros was arrested and taken to Candia (Heraklion) before the governor of Crete, Mustafa Pasha. The case was referred to the religious court, where the saint boldly confessed his faith in Christ and was condemned. He was hanged in 1832, aged thirty, and received the unfading crown of glory.

The Greek calendar (new style) commemorates him on 11 January. A verse says that, come from the green land of Kritsa, he now lives in heaven among bodiless minds.