06 works, Today, September 15th, is Saint Nicetas the Goth's day, his story illustrated #257

Michael Astrapas and Eutychios

Holy Great Martyr, Niketas (Nicetas) the Goth, betw. ca. 1308-ca. 1320

Čučer in today's Čučer-Sandevo in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Michael Astrapas and Eutychios (flourished 1294 to 1317) were Greek painters from Thessaloniki. They were invited by Serbian ruler Stefan Milutin and others to work in their dominions on commissions as icon painters. More on Michael Astrapas and Eutychios

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 Niketas worked intensely among his fellow Goths at spreading Christianity. 

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Athanaric, first king of the Visigoths

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Pagan Goths began to oppose the spread of Christianity, which resulted in internecine strife. Nicetas fought in the Gothic civil war between the pagan Athanaric and the Christian Fritigern.

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Nicetas fought in the Gothic civil war 

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However, after his defeat Athanaric again contrived to gather his own forces, return to his own country and regain his former power. In the bloody clash of the armies, Athanarichus was victorious, and Frigentus was forced to flee to Byzantium. 

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Valens, Eastern Roman Emperor from 364 to 378 

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But soon Frigentus returned to his homeland, reinforced by the fresh troops afforded him by the Byzantine Emperor Valentus (364-378). Frigentus commanded that the image of the Holy Cross be made on the standards of his army, as once did Constantine the Great. A second bloody battle took place, and this time Frigentus was victorious. But Athanarichus, with a small group of adherents, was saved by flight.

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Athanarichus overcame Frigentus

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After a few years, Athanarichus returned to his homeland with a numerous army, and intestine warfare again started up among the Goths. Athanarichus overcame Frigentus.  Athanarichus feared that Christianity would destroy Gothic culture. According to the report of Sozomenos, more than 300 Christians were killed in Athanaric's persecution during the 370s.

Nicetas, having become the spiritual leader of the Christian Goths, denounced Athanarichus for godlessness and cruelty. He called on the faithful to be firm and not to fear martyrdom. Soon Nicetas was seized and given over to cruel tortures.

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Niketas was burned to death in 372

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Saint Niketas endured the 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 Niketas, and buried it in Cilicia. Afterwards, it was transferred to Constantinople. Part of the relics of the Great Martyr Niketas were later transferred to the monastery of Vysokie Dechani in Serbia. Saint Niketas received an unfading crown of glory from Christ in the year 372. More on Nicetas the Goth

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