St. Nikephoros the Leper, who died in 1964, has appeared to certain faithful, saying that the Lord is with us during the coronavirus, and not to worry. Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America writes:
"Already reports are coming in that the Archangel Michael has appeared to many people promising them his powerful help. Also, the newly-glorified Saint Nikephoros the Leper has appeared in Greece to a pious Orthodox serviceman and assured him that he will intercede for all who ask his prayers to be protected and healed from the Corona virus."
Father Ananias Kousteni relates the Saint's appearance to him in this video in Greek, HERE , reported in english HERE
Below are some selected hymns from the service of the Saint, the entire Paraklesis can be purchased HERE .
May St. Nikephoros intercede for us all.
Doxastikon of the Stichera in the Plagal of the Second Tone
The lover of piety, the fighter of the good fight, the cornerstone of patience, come let us honor the venerable Nikephoros together. For he passed through the fire and water of the scourge of leprosy, and passed on to joyous abundance. And in the furnace of trials you were shone to be bronze, shining more than gold, bestowing upon all souls the saving joy.
Doxastikon of the Aposticha in the Plagal of the First Tone
The heavenly ladder raised up through divine virtues, Nikephoros the heavenly-minded, who was reared well through the godly-wise instruction of the great teacher Anthimos. In struggles of righteousness, you were sanctified on the island of Chios in these latter years, and were shown forth unspeakably shining with sacred wonders for the whole church. With him [St. Anthimos], entreat Christ to make us also worthy of divine illumination in His Kingdom, as an incomparably compassionate Father.
Apolytikion in the First Tone
Nikephoros the Venerable, through his struggles with leprosy, and his manliness in asceticism, astonished the Angels, for suffering as another Job, he endured, glorifying God, and now he is crowned with glory by Him, with wonders of discernment. Hail, O guide of monastics, hail, O covering of light, hail to you, from whose Relics pour forth joyous fragrance.
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
As the bravest athlete of steadfastness, and the greatest diamond of patience, who was tried by the turmoil of affliction, and thus were glorified by God, let us honor Nikephoros the Leper, and crying out to him: hail, O namesake of victory.
Oikos
You were shown steadfast in asceticism, O Nikephoros, and endured the pain of leprosy. And therefore in every manner you offered thanksgiving to Him, bringing forth praises from a clean heart, O God-bearer. Therefore we, inspired by your piety, in fervor cry out to you these words:
Hail, O strength of continence,
Hail, O Atlas of endurance.
Hail, you who endured the pain of the flesh with manliness,
Hail, you who came to know the beauty of the spirit in wisdom.
Hail, the type of the righteous, and diagram of monastics,
Hail, the guide of the faithful in divine virtues.
Hail, the pillar of light enlightening creation,
Hail, the lamp of the Church that gladdens souls.
Hail, the boast and beloved son of Crete,
Hail, the glory of Chios, and disciple of Anthimos.
Hail, you who through leprosy were purified more than gold,
Hail, you who kept faith towards Christ, your Bridegroom.
Hail, O namesake of victory.
Synaxarion
On the fourth of this month (January), we commemorate our Righteous and God-bearing Father Nikephoros the Leper, who struggled with endurance on Chios in these latter years, and was made honorable in asceticism.
Verses
You wore the schema of Monks, O Nikephoros,
Becoming a type of ceaseless prayer.
On the fourth of January, the leprous flesh of Nikephoros was buried,
While his all-radiant soul passed to the heavens.
Doxastikon of the Praises in the Plagal of the First Tone
The most-sacred treasury of the All-Holy Spirit, more pure in virtues than snow, with Christ's meekness and humility of heart, the beloved friend, let us magnify Nikephoros. For in his soul he magnified the Lord, and chanted His sweet words by heart ceaselessly, becoming a mouth of consolation to all. Therefore, he was rightly honored by Christ, with the unspeakable fragrance of his Relics, ever gladdening those who venerate them, and who glorify his all-festal memory.
Megalynarion
Come, O divine, Christ-loving multitude, let us adorn the friend of Christ, Nikephoros the Leper, with hymns of praise, as the perfect struggler of divine steadfastness.
