Nicetas the Goth

Nikita, Russian Никита, Ukrain. Микита, from Greek Νικήτας Nicetas, († 372) is a venerated especially in Russia Christian martyr. His feast day is September 15.

Nikita, a Gothic soldier, was living in the Danube area at the edge of the Byzantine Empire, and was probably at the baptism of the Greek name. With Wulfila he campaigned for the Christianization of the Goths and fought against the pagan king set Athanaric. This had him executed 372 on the funeral pyre.

Legend has it that the devil tried to persuade in the form of angels Nikita to sacrifice to the pagan gods to save his life, but that Nikita knocked him through prayer and with the help of the Archangel Michael on the run.

In Russia, the Ukraine and in Serbia several churches and monasteries bear the name Nikitas.