Holy Martyr Nicetas the Goth

A 4th century warrior who loved Christ, Saint Nicetas was born east of the Danube and lived in the land that is present day Romania. Baptized by Theophilos, bishop of the Goths, Nicetas zealously taught the True Faith to his people. Armed with the Gospels - translated using the newly-created Gothic alphabet - Nicetas brought many pagans to Christ through his living example and inspired words. When the Christ-hating pagan prince Athanarik began his persecution of the faithful, Nicetas boldly stood before him and denounced his ignorance and cruelty. He was tortured severely but confessed Christ unwaveringly and prayed to God with thanksgiving. Finally, he was thrown into a blazing pyre and gave up his spirit but his body remained unharmed. Nicetas' friend, Marianus, retrieved his body, illumined with a miraculous light, and took it to Cilicia. There he built a church which housed the saint's wonderworking relics. Great Martyr Nicetas suffered gloriously for Christ in the year 372.