New Martyr Nicodemus of Elbasan and Mt. Athos (1722)

Commemorated on July 11

Saint Nicodemus was Christians who embraced Islam at an early age under the Turks. He later repented and, after doing penance, resolved to return to the place of their apostasy and accept martyrdom. He presented himself to the Turks, proclaimed his Christian faith, and was beheaded according to Islamic law.
  Saint Nicodemus not only embraced Islam, but forced his family to do the same. One of his sons fled to the Holy Mountain and became a monk. The father pursued him there, but was moved to repentance by the holiness of the place and became a monk himself. After three years of penance, he resolved to return home to Albania and embrace his martyrdom.

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