Nicodemus of Mammola
Encyclopedia
Saint Nicodemus of Mammola (or of Cirò) (ca. 900—March 25, 990 AD) is venerated as a saint
in Calabria
. His exact place of birth is unknown but has been identified as Ypsicron (present-day Cirò
). Nicodemus’ parents were named Theophanus and Pandia, and they entrusted their son's spiritual education to a priest named Galato (Galatone). Early on, Nicodemus was attracted to the monastic life, and wished to join the ascetics who had established themselves in the zone known as the Mercurion, on the cliffs of the Pollino
in Calabria.
He was at first refused entry into the community by the austere abbot Saint Fantinus (Fantino), who did not think Nicodemus could endure the penances and mortifications, but eventually the abbot relented. The reputation for holiness and austerity of these Calabrian monks, whose number included Saint Nilus of Rossano (San Nilo di Rossano), was such that they received praised by Orestes, patriarch of Jerusalem
.
Eventually, Nicodemus withdrew to Mount Cellerano (or Kellerano, today San Nicodemo) in the area known as Locride
, where his fame attracted a new community of monks there. This community was threatened by Muslim
raids, and so Nicodemus relocated to Gerace
and thence to Mammola
, where a monastery was later established. He died at an advanced age on March 25, 990.
Miracles were reported at Nicodemus’ tomb, and he was considered a saint. In 1080, under the Normans
, the small oratory
on the site was transformed into a larger church. The monastery at Mammola was also restored and privileges and assets were granted to it. Nicodemus' relics were translated
to a new church at Mammola in 1580. Nicodemus was proclaimed patron
of the city in 1630, and the feast day was established as March 12.
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
in Calabria
Calabria
Calabria , in antiquity known as Bruttium, is a region in southern Italy, south of Naples, located at the "toe" of the Italian Peninsula. The capital city of Calabria is Catanzaro....
. His exact place of birth is unknown but has been identified as Ypsicron (present-day Cirò
Cirò (KR)
Cirò is a comune and town with a population of 3614 people in the province of Crotone, in Calabria, Italy.-History:There were Bronze Age settlements in the area; fossils have been found and are preserved for eventual exhibition in a museum to be established. The ancient Greeks had a settlement on...
). Nicodemus’ parents were named Theophanus and Pandia, and they entrusted their son's spiritual education to a priest named Galato (Galatone). Early on, Nicodemus was attracted to the monastic life, and wished to join the ascetics who had established themselves in the zone known as the Mercurion, on the cliffs of the Pollino
Pollino
The Pollino is a massif in the southern Apennines, on the border between Calabria and Basilicata, southern Italy...
in Calabria.
He was at first refused entry into the community by the austere abbot Saint Fantinus (Fantino), who did not think Nicodemus could endure the penances and mortifications, but eventually the abbot relented. The reputation for holiness and austerity of these Calabrian monks, whose number included Saint Nilus of Rossano (San Nilo di Rossano), was such that they received praised by Orestes, patriarch of Jerusalem
Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem
The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem is the head bishop of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, ranking fourth of nine Patriarchs in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Since 2005, the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem has been Theophilos III...
.
Eventually, Nicodemus withdrew to Mount Cellerano (or Kellerano, today San Nicodemo) in the area known as Locride
Locride
Locride is an area of Calabria around the town of Locri in the Province of Reggio Calabria.It is divided into 4 areas:* Vallata dello Stilaro* Vallata del Torbido* Epizefiri* Vallata del Bonamico* Heracleum- See also :* Bovesia* Costa Viola...
, where his fame attracted a new community of monks there. This community was threatened by Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
raids, and so Nicodemus relocated to Gerace
Gerace
Gerace is a town and comune in the province of Reggio Calabria, Calabria, Italy.Gerace is located some 10 km inland from Locri, yet the latter town and the Sea can be seen from Gerace's perch atop a 500 m vertical rock...
and thence to Mammola
Mammola
Mammola is a comune in the Province of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 70 km southwest of Catanzaro and about 60 km northeast of Reggio Calabria...
, where a monastery was later established. He died at an advanced age on March 25, 990.
Veneration
Kingdom of Sicily
The Kingdom of Sicily was a state that existed in the south of Italy from its founding by Roger II in 1130 until 1816. It was a successor state of the County of Sicily, which had been founded in 1071 during the Norman conquest of southern Italy...
, the small oratory
Oratory
Oratory is a type of public speaking.Oratory may also refer to:* Oratory , a power metal band* Oratory , a place of worship* a religious order such as** Oratory of Saint Philip Neri ** Oratory of Jesus...
on the site was transformed into a larger church. The monastery at Mammola was also restored and privileges and assets were granted to it. Nicodemus' relics were translated
Translation (relics)
In Christianity, the translation of relics is the removal of holy objects from one locality to another ; usually only the movement of the remains of the saint's body would be treated so formally, with secondary relics such as items of clothing treated with less ceremony...
to a new church at Mammola in 1580. Nicodemus was proclaimed patron
Patron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
of the city in 1630, and the feast day was established as March 12.