Saint
Nikon the Dry
Venerable Nikon the Lean of the Kiev Caves (12th C)
New Calendar December 11 Old Calendar December 24
Why they are a saint
He was a monk in Kiev, taken into slavery by a band of Polovtsi (Turkic raiders who were troubling the country at that time) along with the holy Martyr Eustratius (March 28). The Orthodox Church commemorates Nikon the Dry on December 11.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Nikon the Dry as a patron when they bear the name Nikon at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on December 11. As a monastic, he is also asked for help in prayer, fasting, and repentance.
Prayer
O holy Nikon the Dry, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.