The Life of Saint Nikon: Text, translation, and commentary

by Denis F. Sullivan

English, Greek

314 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Anatolikon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you tired of dull miracles like giving sight to the blind or making the lame walk? Well, look no further than the 'Life of St Nikon' to read about the most vengeful saint from the Byzantine world. Born in the Byzantine east, the career of Nikon spanned the second half of the tenth century, with the saint leaving home in the Armeniakon in his youth, going to preach on Crete after its reconquest by Nikephoros II Phokas, and eventually settling in Greece where he proceeded to unleash his wrath against just about anyone. Prominent locals are being unwilling to drive the Jews out of town? Kill them. Provincial official wants to convert one of your monastery's outlying menoikeia into an inn? Kill them. Someone stole some oil from the monastery? Make them vomit until their guts are about to come out. Boundary dispute with a neighbour? Appear miraculously and kill him.