Nikita the Sacred in the Orthodox religion

Nikita the Sacred is one of the most beloved and revered saints of God in the Russian Orthodox Church. During his lifetime, he became famous as a healer of various ailments, including spiritual ones. According to his holy prayers, the people suffering from the disease received a sudden healing from the Lord. However, even after his death, the saint does not cease to intercede for people who resort to him with sincere requests. By the zealous prayers of the Great Martyr Nikita, the Lord bestows recovery from severe illnesses, and also helps to resolve many everyday troubles.

The Baptism of the Holy

Great-martyr Nikita was born on the shores of the formidable Danube. The saint was born during the reign of Constantine the Great, when the faith of Christ finally began to be openly preached in all countries. In the country, where Nikita the Sacred grew, Christianity too quickly became the dominant religion. The future great martyr took holy baptism from the reigning bishop Theophilus, who became a participant in the first Council of Nicaea.

The Great Battle

However, for a short time it was given to shine the light of Christ in the Gothic country. Soon the wicked prince Fanarich ascended to the throne, who, driven by anger and envy of the zealots of the Christian faith, ordered to kill all the heralds of the Savior's teaching. Goths divided into two opposing camps. The first was headed by a certain Frittigern, who was a true preacher of Christ. The second camp took under its command a furious persecutor of Christians called Afanarich. In the country where the saint lived, a great bloody battle took place, as a result of which Christians won. Athanaric fled with great disgrace, and the faith of Christ was even more widespread among the Goths.

Nikita the Sacred also gave much energy so that Christ's teaching would enter every house of his fellow tribesmen. His pious life for many was ready to be an example of true Christian piety.

After the death of Bishop Theophilus, Urfil occupied a place on the chair. Being a reasonable man, he invented letters for the inhabitants of his native country and translated many Christian books from Greek into Gothic.

Return of Afanariha

But soon the country of Nikita was to comprehend another terrible test. In its limits, the former exiled Afanarikh returned. Wishing to receive retribution for the humiliation suffered, the wicked man again erected an army against Christians. Many zealots of the Christian faith were killed by him in cruel torture. But most of all, Afanarik craved the death of the great martyr Nikita. The latter never hid from brutal punishment, but always openly preached the Savior's teaching. Being thrown into prison, he also strengthened the word of faith of Christians who were preparing to accept the torment for Christ.

The death of a saint

To the preacher of Christ the most terrible tortures were prepared from Athanaric. The servants of the king laid the saint on a wooden couch and lit a bonfire on it. But the saint of God, rising from his place, blew on the flames, and the fire immediately went out. In its place grew green grass. Seeing that the tortures he devised do not bring a proper result, Athanaricus ordered the flesh of a saint to be tortured. Trying to persuade a pious husband to pagan belief, the wicked man ordered to starve him. Three years the great martyr Nikita was held in heavy chains, until one day the king again remembered him and ordered him to be brought to his home.

Afanarik gave the order to throw the preacher of Christ into the fire. The saint died a martyr's death. But his body was not moved by the flame. Opponents of Christianity, once again seeing the miracle of God firsthand, decided to leave the remains of the saint without burial. His body was cast with disgrace on earth, far from the people.

Mariana's feat

At the same time in the Gothic country lived a pious husband named Marian. The last during his lifetime was a close friend of the saint. He always admired the staunch and fearless faith of the saint of God. But especially Marian fell in love with him when he saw how holy martyr Nikita bravely endures all the torments prepared by Athanarich.

Learning that the teacher's body was dishonored to the street, the pious young man immediately decided to betray him to the burial. Afraid to be seen by Afanarich, Marian decided to fulfill his desire deep in the night. But he did not know where the torturers left Nikita's wounded body. Then the Lord himself sent Mariana a guide in the form of a star, which led him to the teacher.

For some time he kept the holy remains of Nikita at home. Then, returning to his homeland, in Cilicia, Marianus buried them in the walls of his house.

Soon, numerous healings began to be performed from the holy relics of the saint. Every day hundreds of believers came to the house of Marian, who received the beneficent help according to the prayers of the Great Martyr Nikita. The glory of the relics of the saint spread far beyond Cilicia.

Later the remains of the Great Martyr were transferred to Constantinople. In the Serbian monastery of High Decani there is also a particle of relics of the great saint of God.

Miracles according to the prayers of the saint

The icon of St. Nikita was especially revered in Russia. In the city of Pereslavl-Zalessky in honor of the Great Martyr, a monastery was erected in the ninth century. In the Nikitsky cathedral there is an image of a saint, from whom many miraculous help has been sent to the believers many times. The preacher of Christ's faith often pray for the health of children, for healing from the father. In addition, the saint of God helps in spiritual warfare against the enemy of the human race. Great-martyr Nikita often prayed to the military leaders on the eve of the great battles. The saint is considered the patron of the army.

Also, Nikita the Holy of old is the defender of all waterfowl. Therefore, villagers and owners of poultry farms also often turn to the saint of God for help.

The memory of the Great Martyr is performed by the Russian Orthodox Church on September 28. On St. Nikita's Day all those who were named at the baptism by his name celebrate their name day.