Nicephoros

Nicephoros was the friend of a priest called Sapricius. However, shortly before Sapricius was outed as a Christian during the persecution of Valerian, their friendship failed bitterly. Nicephoros tried to reconcile with his friend both in person, and through intermediaries, but Sapricius would have none of it. Sapricius was seized by the authorities, and was being tortured. Nicephoros heard of this, and sent intermediaries to Sapricius begging his forgiveness. But his friend still refused to forgive him. As Sapricius faced beheading, Nicephoros tried one final time to be reconciled with his friend, and met him on the way to his execution, prostrated himself before him and begged his forgiveness; but Sapricius was obstinate to the very end.

Sapricius’ refusal to follow one of the central teachings of the faith meant that his suffering and immanent martyrdom would be meaningless – because the simplest act, the most meaningful act of reconciling with his friend and neighbour went unfulfilled. As such – he was abandoned – his confidence slipped away – and in order to save his own life, he told his executioners he would sacrifice to the gods. Nicephoros on the other hand, confessed his faith in Christ, and was immediately beheaded in Sapricius’ place – receiving the martyr’s crown that Sapricius cast aside.

The hagiography of Nicephoros is interesting, falling as it does this year, just after Forgiveness Sunday. Nicephoros’ story is a multi-layered one. At first glance it addresses the teaching on forgiveness so prevalent in the Gospels; and falling, as it does this year just after Foregiveness Sunday, it is a highly relevant story. Nicephoros sought to be reconciled with his estranged friend before the persecution broke out, and once he learned of Sapricius’ impending death, that desire for forgiveness became all the more pressing. Forgive one another as God has forgiven you.

There is another avenue of interpretation – not entirely un-related; this time focussing on the actions of Sapricius, rather than Nicephoros. Jesus criticised the religious leaders of his day for their fastidious attention to points of law and custom that, on the scale of what is important, and what is not important, don’t even rate. “You pay tithes of mind and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. But these you should have done without neglecting the others. Blind guides, who strain ou the gnat ans swallow the camel!” (Mt. 23.23-24). Here we find Sapricius bearing witness to Christ as a confessor, while simultaneously not bearing witness to the core of the faith itself: to love God, to love one’s neighbour, and to forgive as one has already been forgiven.

Finally the story serves as a warning. Sapricius’ bravery and boldness in the face of persecution and death slip away as he remains obstinate before Nicephoros’ simple request to be forgiven. Thus, through his hardness of heart in the face of this, the simplest, and quietest of Christian acts – forgiving his estranged friend Nicephoros, Sapricius’ bold “confession” of his faith is rendered meaningless. And he is now remembered not as a martyr or confessor, but as a fool, and a traitor.