When asked if the people should fight or not, Nicasius responded, "Let us abide the mercy of God and pray for our enemies.

After the killing of Nicasius and his colleagues, the Vandals are said to have been frightened away from the area, according to some sources even leaving the treasure they had already gathered.

[4] Nicasius was said to have been reciting Psalm 119:[5] he was then decapitated as he reached the verse Adhaesit pavimento anima mea ("My soul is attached unto dust") and then continued reciting Vivifica me Domine secundum verbum tuum ("Revive me, Lord, with your words") even after his head had fallen to the ground.

[6][7][8] This claim has been made more credible by research showing a long history of smallpox in Egypt, suggestions of its spread through the Roman Empire, and identification of 6th century outbreaks of the disease.

Thou illustrious bishop and martyr, pray for me, a sinner, and defend me by thy intercession from this disease.