Monk
Saint Nikiforos (in the world Nicholas Janakkis) was born in 1890 on the island of Crete into a pious family. At the age of 13, his parents sent him to learn the trade of a barber in the city of Chania, where the first signs of leprosy appeared.
At 16, when the disease became noticeable, Nicholas moved to Alexandria, continuing to work as a barber. On the advice of a priest, he went to the island of Chios, where there was a leprosarium established by Saint Anthimos. In Chios, in 1914, Nicholas was tonsured a monk with the name Nikiforos and became the first chanter in the church, performing work in the gardens and fields. Later, he lost his sight due to the disease.
In 1957, being almost blind and bedridden, the elder was transferred to the anti-leprosy station of Saint Barbara in Athens. The saint reposed in the Lord on January 4, 1964, at the age of 74. The venerable one, who bore his sufferings with utmost humility and in constant prayer, acquired many gracious gifts. For his patience and love for his neighbors, the Lord endowed Nikiforos with the gift of prophecy and the consolation of the suffering. After his death, a fragrance emanated from his relics, and numerous miracles that occurred through the saint's prayers were recorded by his disciple, Father Evmenios.
