May 17. Nikolaos new Martyr Metsovo biography.
The New Martyr Nikolaos, was born to poor but faithful
parents at the end of the 16th century in Metsovo, Ipiros.
When he was young, he went to Trikala, Thessaly, where he worked in a Turkish bakery. There he was
forced to become a muslim.
Upon his return to Metsovo, Nikolaos led a Christian
life. However, poverty and the difficult living conditions forced him to go to
Trikala again to sell pine wood. There he was seen by a Turkish barber with
whom Nikolaos had made an agreement to give him a load of pine wood every year
so that he would not betray him to the Turkish authorities for denying to
become muslim. Upon returning to Metsovo, Nikolaos made his final decision
never again to compromise on matters of faith and if necessary, even to
sacrifice his own life.
Haring received the blessing of his spintual father,
Nikolaos once again went to Trikala. This time to bear «the testimory of
Jesus Christ» (Apoc. 1,2). There he was arrested by the Turks and condemned
with the crarge of having denied to become a muslim. When he was threatened by
the Turks, he answered: I was born a christian, I am a christian and I wish
to die as a christian. The Turkish court finally condemned him to death by
burning. Thus, Nikolaos was burnt by fire on 17th May, 1617 in the central market
of Trikala.
Nikolaos᾿ skull, which was miraculously preserved, was
dedicated to the Holy Monastery of Varlaam at Meteora. To this day, it gives
off a sweet fragrance aud performs miracles.
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