During Nicholas’s life a revolt took place in Great Phrygia. Hearing of it, the emperor Constantine sent three generals Nepotian, Ursus, and Herpylion with troops to restore order. On their way they saw the saint stop the unjust execution of three men and received his blessing. Having quickly suppressed the revolt the generals returned to the capital. They were slandered by jealous men who said that they had been scheming against the emperor. Constantine ordered to send them to prison and later upon a new slander sentenced them to death. The generals who remembered how St. Nicholas stopped the execution began praying to him asking for his help. After the apparition of the saint to the emperor and eparch, Nepotian, Ursus, and Herpylion were acquitted and freed from prison.
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