Nicetas the Recluse

Saint Nicetas the Recluse was a monk of the Kyiv Caves Lavra and later bishop of Novgorod, and fell asleep on 31 January 1108. The Church remembers him on 31 January, on 30 April, the day of the uncovering of his relics in 1558, and on 14 May.

He was a native of Kyiv. In youth he was tonsured at the Caves Lavra and, despite the objections of Abbot Nikon, withdrew into seclusion. The Paterikon says he was attacked by the devil: a demon appeared to him in the form of an angel, and the monk bowed before him. The demon told him no longer to pray, only to read, and he would pray for him. Deceived, the monk ceased to pray, read diligently and came to know by heart all the books of the Old Testament, but refused to learn the Gospel. The demon told him what was happening in the world, and he prophesied to those who came, and even sent word to Prince Izyaslav of the murder of Prince Gleb and advised him to send Sviatopolk to reign at Novgorod. The fathers of the monastery understood that Nicetas was in delusion, broke into the cave, drove out the demons with prayers and brought him out. After that Nicetas forgot all he had read of the Old Testament and even his letters, and was taught to read again. With the elders' blessing he resumed his seclusion, but with humility, devoting himself to "abstinence, obedience, and pure and humble life", so that he surpassed all in virtue. He understood his faults and repented with great sorrow, humility and fasting, and for his humility it is believed God gave him the gift of miracles.

In 1096 Metropolitan Ephraim of Kyiv raised him to the rank of bishop and named him to the see of Novgorod, where he is counted the sixth bishop of the city. In his pastorate several churches were built, among them the Transfiguration church on Ilyin Street and the Annunciation church at Gorodishche. It is believed his prayers brought rain in a severe drought and put out a fire in the city. He fell asleep on 31 January 1108, after thirteen years as bishop. In 1558, in the time of Tsar Ivan Vasilievich, he was glorified as a saint. His relics were moved in 1956 from the Saint Sophia Cathedral to the Saint Nicholas Cathedral, and after its closing, in 1962, to another place, and in 1993 returned to Saint Sophia Cathedral. He is commemorated on 31 January in the Catholic Church too.