Prince Yuri Dolgoruky had a tax collector, Nikita. He lived in Pereslavl-Zalessky. He was an evil and cruel publican. He took more from people than he should, and gave it to the prince, and took the surplus. Nikita was hated and feared.
He walked past the church and decided to come in. At that very moment, the priest was quoting the prophet Isaiah. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Nikita these words struck directly into the soul. He came home in dismay, thoughtful all evening. But in the morning, the prophet’s words did not seem so important. Everyday affairs distracted from the doom, and in the evening guests gathered for a feast.
That’s where my wife called Nikita. She was white as a canvas, her hands shaking. She could barely whisper, “Look,” and opened the pot. There, I saw Nikita pieces of human bodies. The vision so amazed him that he ran away from the house and did not notice how he ran 3 versts to the Nikitsky monastery.
There he tearfully persuaded the abbot to accept him as a novice. Hegumen wanted to test him and ordered 3 days to stand at the gate and tell everyone about their sins. 3 days Nikita diligently performed obedience, and then went to the swamp. Such was his mental torment that he wanted to suffer the body to relieve them. There he was found, half dead from midge bites.
After taking tonsure, Nikita settled in a tiny cell. He prayed all day and dug wells around at night. One of the bottoms has survived to this day. The water in it is considered miraculous.
But that didn’t seem enough to him. Nikita built himself a pillar and spent time there in constant prayer. On the body he wore the holy creeds of iron. Limiting himself to food and drink.
For such labors and sincere repentance, the Lord rewarded Nikita with the gift of healing and casting out demons. Among those whom he helped was the son of the Chernigov prince, Michael. He put an end to the place where he was healed. But Nikita did not distinguish between rich and poor, he helped everyone.
Nikita died a violent death. The robbers thought that his chains were made of silver, so they shone with a long sock. They killed the old man, removed his iron and fled.
In the morning, the ponomar discovered a body that was fragrant. He was buried with great honors at the altar of the monastery temple.
And the robbers quickly discovered their mistake and in anger threw the creeks into the river. The people could not believe their eyes later. Iron lines were kept on the water as if wooden. They were taken out, taken to the monastery and placed on the coffin of the saint.
The relics of the Great Martyr were first found in the 16th century. The coffin was placed in silver crayfish. But then the burial was lost and the second acquisition of relics took place in our century, during archaeological excavations. Relics and creeds are well preserved. They stay in the main temple.
St. Nikita Monastery.
Remembrance days
June 5 — Cathedral of Rostov-Yaroslavl Saints
June 6
July 6 – Council of Vladimir Saints
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Lives of Saints
