The Uncovering of the Relics of the Hieromartyr Νikόdēmos, Bishop of Belgorod

Commemorated on October 20.

In Belogorod, an event of great spiritual significance occurred: the recovery of the relics of the Hieromartyr Νikόdēmos of Belgorod. Now, in the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Savior at Belgorod, the relics of two Belgorod Saints are buried. The shrine of Saint Joasaph of Belgorod (December 10) is under a canopy on the south side of the altar, and on the north side is a wooden chest with the newly-discovered relics of Bishop Νikόdēmos. His incorrupt relics were recovered from his burial place on October 20/November 2, 2012.

During the first week of Lent there were solemn services in the Transfiguration Cathedral, which were led by Metropolitan John of Belgorod and Stary Oskol. While the Magnification was being sung for the Hieromartyr Νikόdēmos, his revered relics were taken from the altar and placed on the kathedra, after which Vladyka knelt and read prayers before them. He also read the resolution of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia: “At the anniversary Bishops' Council in 2000 Bishop Νikόdēmos (Kononov) of Belgorod was numbered among the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Orthodox Church."

After identifying the remains, Patriarch Kirill determined: “Having recognized these remains as the relics of the Holy Martyr Νikόdēmos (Kononov), Bishop of Belgorod, let the Uncovering of the relics of the Holy Martyr Νikόdēmos be included in the Menaion of the Russian Orthodox Church.”

When the crypt was opened, the Hierarch's episcopal vestments were intact, but his miter and the Gospel were missing.

Saint Νikόdēmos is also commemorated on December 28.