Saint Nicephoros II Phokas

Handmade wooden iconography of Saint Nicephoros II Phokas, made on Mount Athos, on natural wood. The icon is delivered in a wooden box.

Nicephoros II Phokas was born in Cappadocia in 912, hailing from the Phokas family. On August 16, 963, he was crowned emperor in Constantinople and married the widow Theophano. A prominent Byzantine emperor, he is renowned for his military achievements and significant contributions to the Church. He supported Saint Athanasius the Athonite in establishing the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos and was reportedly inclined to become a monk himself. However, his strict policies, constant wars and heavy taxation made him unwelcome among the people. At the same time, his cunning and ambitious wife made conspiracies against him. In the end, in 969, Nikephoros II Phokas was deviously assassinated by his nephew, John Tzimiskes and Theophano. The Church commemorates him annually on December 11.