St. Nicholas of Vounena icon

Orthodox icon of Saint Nicholas, the New Martyr of Vounena, Αγ. Νικόλας εν Βουνένοις.

Commemorated; September 5th.

Saint Nicholas the Younger was born in the East to pious and virtuous parents. When he came of age, he enlisted in the Imperial Army with the rank of Duke, training his soldiers to be brave and fearless warriors, but above all he admonished them and taught them to believe in God, to pray, to never wrong anyone, and to ask Christ to give them strength to fight their enemies. However, it was not only external enemies that they had to face, but also various rebellions that were taking place within the Empire. During one such rebellion, Nicholas was sent by Emperor Leo the Isaurian, the Iconoclast, to subdue the rebels and restore peace and stability.

During this operation, he witnessed the unjust spilling of human blood and the loss of souls. Fearing that he too might lose his life, but above all his soul, he withdrew with twelve of his soldiers to Vounena in Thessaly, where several ascetics lived, and there they lived an ascetic life of fasting, vigils, and unceasing prayer. When the Avars arrived in Thessaly, spreading death and destruction in their barbaric passage, they captured Nicholas and his soldiers and slaughtered them

They tried to persuade Nicholas with promises and flattery to renounce his faith, but they did not succeed. After piercing him with his own spear, they cut off his holy head on May 9, 720 AD, and his youthful blood watered the Thessalian soil abundantly. The Avars left the saint's body at the site of the massacre, where many years later it was found intact and fragrant by a lord named Euphemius, who was cured of the leprosy he suffered from. After burying it, he built a church there in the name of the Holy Martyr.

From the trees to which the Saint was tied and tortured, a red liquid flows, which is called "Blood." When used with faith and trust in the Holy Martyr, this liquid has healing properties and performs miracles for those suffering from skin diseases and headaches. Moreover, the votive offerings, gold and silver items, and dedications that adorn his icon represent the miracles and blessings he performed and continues to perform for those who invoked and invoke him. 

The relics of the Saint, which are reverently kept in the Holy Temple of Saint Nicholas the New in Thebes (Tachi district), are housed in a silver-inlaid case which, together with the icon, is surrounded by a wood-carved ciborium.

Many times it produce aroma, heals, strengthens, comforts, and reveals that God's grace remains indelible in the body, even after death, and that it is evidence and a precursor of the coming Resurrection and incorruptibility/