Memorial Day (transfer of relics) of St. Nicephorus, Patriarch of Constantinople

Among the Orthodox Church holidays there are dates associated with the discovery or transfer of holy relics Such days include March 26 - the Day of Remembrance (transfer of relics) of St Nikephoros, Patriarch of Constantinople Saint Nikephoros was a prominent Christian figure in Byzantium in the second half of the 8th and early 9th centuries During the period of iconoclasm, the Patriarch of Constantinople defended the truth of faith and the holiness of Orthodox icons, for which he fell into disgrace with the ruler Leo the Armenian Not wanting to part with his beliefs, Nikephoros was exiled from Constantinople After 13 mournful years, the patriarch died in exile Despite the sad death of the patriarch, the just cause for which he suffered triumphed The spiritual heritage and feat of Nikephoros were not forgotten, and after 19 years, Patriarch Methodius turned to the pious ruler Theodora with a request to transfer the relics of the saint to the capital of Byzantium The Empress reacted with inspiration to Methodius's proposal; it was decided to rebury the patriarch's remains in the Hagia Sophia, where Nikephoros had previously been in charge of the church department Methodius personally went to the island of Prokonnis, where the righteous saint rested in the monastery of the martyr Theodore When the grave was opened, everyone saw that the relics of Nicephorus remained incorrupt, and a fragrance spread around the body The holy relics of the patriarch were loaded onto a ship and transported to Constantinople, where Theodora and her retinue awaited the procession On March 26, the relics were solemnly brought into the walls of the Constantinople Sophia, and after an all-night vigil they were laid to rest in the Church of the Holy Apostles In popular belief, the Day of St Nikephoros was the beginning of the awakening of the bear from hibernation and the final onset of spring It was considered dangerous to appear in the forest, where one could encounter a hungry, emaciated animal There were also special natural signs that made it possible to predict the weather: - thick fogs promised a stormy summer; - abundant flow of birch sap indicated frequent summer rains; - a sunny day foreshadowed a rich grain harvest; - the north wind blew towards late spring and cold summer, the south wind towards warmth; - the arrival of swans predicted snowfall, and the paws of domestic geese are frosty