Following the recent Patriarchal and Synodical Act of Declaration of Sainthood of monk Nikephoros, from the village Sirikari, Kisamos, of the Holy Metropolis of Kisamos and Selinon, the first official celebration of the sacred memory of Saint Nikephoros the Leper was held on Thursday, January 3, 2013 at the Cathedral Church of the annunciation in Kisamos,Crete. His Eminence Archbishop of Crete Irineos presided over the Divine Liturgy with all the Bishops of the island, many Abbots, Presbyters and Deacons.

During the Liturgy Archbishop Irineos, on behalf of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, read the Patriarchal and Synodical Act of Declaration of Sainthood of Saint Nikephroos the Leper and the holy relic of the Saint was placed for worship.

As His Eminence Metropolitan of Kisamos and Selinon  Amphilochios stated: “In a time of a deep crisis of values and institutions, as well as a time of recession, which occurs under the guise of an economic crisis, aiming to put our consciousness to sleep and drug our spiritual atrophy, the presence of Saints and holy figures like this of Blessed Father Nikephoros the Leper come as “morning dew” to cool the unsolicited times, to resurrect hope, to strengthen our faith, to comfort our pains and sufferings.”

The Great Vespers of the First Official Celebration of Saint Nikephoros the Leper