Nicodemus of Mammola

Who was Nicodemus of Mammola?

Saint Nicodemus of Mammola is venerated as a saint in Calabria. His exact place of birth is unknown but has been identified as Ypsicron. Nicodemus’ parents were named Theophanus and Pandia, and they entrusted their son's spiritual education to a priest named Galato. Early on, Nicodemus was attracted to the monastic life, and wished to join the ascetics who had established themselves in the zone known as the Mercurion, on the cliffs of the Pollino in Calabria.

He was at first refused entry into the community by the austere abbot Saint Fantinus, who did not think Nicodemus could endure the penances and mortifications, but eventually the abbot relented. The reputation for holiness and austerity of these Calabrian monks, whose number included Saint Nilus of Rossano, was such that they received praised by Orestes, patriarch of Jerusalem.

Eventually, Nicodemus withdrew to Mount Cellerano in the area known as Locride, where his fame attracted a new community of monks there. This community was threatened by Muslim raids, and so Nicodemus relocated to Gerace and thence to Mammola, where a monastery was later established. He died at an advanced age on March 25, 990.