Nicodemus of Mammola, St.
NICODEMUS OF MAMMOLA, ST.
Calabrian-Greek ascetic, monastic founder; b. Cirò, c. 900; d. Mammola, March 25, 990. While still a youth, he became a Basilian monk in the famous monastic eparchy of the Mercurion, under the spiritual guidance of St. Fantino (d. c. 980), who also directed St. nilus of rossano. Later on, he withdrew to Mt. Cellerano, where for many years he lived a strict ascetic life. His virtue attracted many disciples, so that the hermitage of Cellerano became a large monastic community. About 975 he moved to the region of Gerace. Subsequently he built in the woods near Mammola a monastery that after his death in 990 was dedicated to his memory. His relics are venerated in the principal church of Mammola, whose patron saint he has been since 1630. A life, written by the monk Nilus at the end of the 12th century, is the principal source for his biographers.
Feast: March 12.
Bibliography: a. agresta, Vita di s. Nicodemo Abbate (Rome 1677). a. aromolo, Vita di s. Nicodemo di Cirò (Cirò1901). v. zavaglia, Vita del santo padre nostro Nicodemo (Mammola 1961). v. saletta, Vita inedita di s. Nicodemo di Calabria dal cod. Messan, 30 (Rome 1964).
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