Ianikit of Nicopolis

Holy Martyr Ianikit of Nicopolis (also called Anicetus) is numbered among the forty-⁠five martyrs of Nicopolis, Leontius, Maurice, Daniel, Anthony, Alexander, Ianikit (Anicetus), Sisinnius, Menaeus, Viriladus and the others, who suffered in the Armenian city of Nicopolis in the time of Emperor Licinius (307-324), co-⁠emperor with Constantine the Great. The calendar says of Ianikit only that he was among them, so we tell the story of them all.

Licinius cruelly persecuted Christians and in his eastern part issued an order that all who would not agree to return to paganism be tormented and put to death. When the persecution began in Nicopolis, more than forty followers of Christ resolved to appear of their own will before the persecutors, to confess openly their faith in the Son of God and to accept torments. The holy confessors were headed by Leontius, Maurice, Daniel, Anthony and Alexander, known for their virtuous life. The governor of the Armenian province, Lysias, before whom they stood, was amazed at the unanimity and courage of men who voluntarily doomed themselves to torment and death. He tried to persuade them to renounce Christ and sacrifice to the pagan gods, but the saints were unshaken. They rejected all the governor's arguments, proving to him the falsity of faith in the loathsome gods, full of vices, who lead to perdition those who bow to them. The governor ordered the confessors to be struck in the face with stones, then put in chains and thrown into prison.

In prison the saints rejoiced and sang the psalms of David. Saint Leontius encouraged and strengthened his brothers in the faith, preparing them for new torments for the true faith and telling them of the courage of all who had suffered before for Christ. In the morning, after refusing again to sacrifice to the idols, the saints were again given over to torture. Saint Leontius, seeing the great sufferings of the martyrs and fearing that some in weakness might lose heart and faith, prayed God to send all a speedy end of the struggle.

When the holy martyrs were singing psalms at midnight, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to them, and the prison was lit with light. The angel announced to the martyrs that their struggle was nearing its end and their names were already written in heaven. Two jailers, Menaeus and Viriladus, who saw what happened, believed in Christ. The next morning the governor resolved to put the witnesses of Christ to death. After cruel tortures they were burned in fire and their bones thrown into the river (about 318). Pious people found them, gathered them and kept them. Later, when freedom was given to the Church of Christ, a church dedicated to the forty-⁠five holy martyrs was raised on that place.

They are commemorated on 23 July (new style).