The Holy Great Martyr Nicetas was a Goth (a Germanic tribe). He was born
and lived on the banks of the Danube River, and suffered for Christ in the year 372. The Christian Faith was then already
widely spread throughout the territory of the Goths. Saint Nicetas believed in Christ and accepted Baptism from the Gothic
bishop Theophilus, a participant in the First Ecumenical Council. Pagan Goths began to oppose the spread of Christianity,
which resulted in internecine strife.
After the
victory of Fritigern, heading a Christian army and inflicting defeat on the pagan Athanaric, the Christian Faith began to
spread increasingly among the Goths. The Arian bishop Ulfilas, the successor to Bishop Theophilus, created a Gothic alphabet
and translated into the Gothic language many priestly books. Saint Nicetas worked intensely among his fellow Goths at spreading
Christianity. By his personal example and inspired words he brought many pagans to the Christian Faith.
However, after his defeat Athanaric again contrived to gather his own forces, return
to his own country and regain his former power. Since he remained a pagan, he continued to hate Christians and persecute them.
Saint Nicetas endured many tortures, and died after being thrown into
a fire. His body remained unharmed by the fire and was illumined by a miraculous light. By night, a friend of the martyr,
a Christian named Marianus, retrieved the body of Saint Nicetas, and buried it in Cilicia. Afterwards, it was transferred
to Constantinople. Part of the relics of the Great Martyr Nicetas were later transferred to the monastery of Vysokie Dechani
in Serbia. Saint Nicetas received an unfading crown of glory from Christ in the year 372.
We pray to Saint Nicetas for the preservation of children from birth defects.
