St Nikon the Dry of the Kiev Caves

From the Prologue of Ochrid

As a monk in the Kiev caves he was captured by the Tatars. Three years he spent in captivity, fettered, tortured and mocked. When his kinsmen brought money to ransom him from his master, he refused, saying: Had the Lord willed that I be free, He would not have delivered me into the hands of these lawless ones. Once he told his master that Christ would free him in three days. The Tatar thought that the slave would flee, so he cut the tendons under his knees. But on the third day, truly Nikon was instantly transported by an invisible hand to Kiev. After a certain time that Tatar came to Kiev and recognized in Nikon his former slave, repented and was baptized. And the former master became the obedient follower and disciple of his former slave. Nikon, called the Dry because of the great emaciation of his body, was a great clairvoyant. He reposed peacefully in the Lord on December 11, 1101.

Also commemorated on December 11

Learn about similar saints

Questions

When is the feast day of St Nikon the Dry of the Kiev Caves?
The Orthodox Church commemorates St Nikon the Dry of the Kiev Caves on December 11 on the New Calendar and December 24 on the Old Calendar.
Who else is commemorated on that day?
The Church also remembers St Daniel the Stylite and St Luke the New Stylite.
When is the feast of St Nikon the Dry of the Kiev Caves in 2026?
In 2026, on the New Calendar, it falls on Friday, December 11.

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