Saint Nicodemus of Tismana

A life of faith

Nicodemus, called Nicodim in Romanian, became a monk at Hilandar on Mount Athos before moving into Wallachia in the fourteenth century. With support from local rulers, he established monasteries including Vodița and Tismana. At Tismana he gathered monks skilled in writing and developed a center for copying church books. He also maintained correspondence with monastic leaders and Patriarch Euthymius of Tarnovo. A Slavonic Gospel book is associated with his later years at Prislop. Before his death in 1406, he entrusted leadership of Vodița and Tismana to his disciple Agathon.

The Eastern Orthodox Church remembers saints in prayer and commemoration. Their lives offer examples for Christians learning to live their faith.

A reflection

Preserving knowledge can serve people far beyond one community. Nicodemus joined monastic leadership with the patient work of copying books.

Read the Orthodox source

Feast dates follow the linked source. Local calendars and commemorations may vary. Themes describe a saint’s life; quiz suggestions do not assign a baptismal patron. Discuss choosing a patron saint with your priest.