Saint Niceta was born around the year 330 AD during the time of Emperor Constantine the Great. He grew up on the banks of the Danube River and was a Goth - the Goths are a Germanic people who invaded the Roman Empire in the first Christian centuries. They occupied southern and eastern Europe. Niceta was baptized into Christ by Bishop Theophilus of Goth, who excelled at the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea. He studied literature diligently and worked hard to guide his people.

At that time, Ghout was divided into two groups, one led by Fritigern and the other led by Athanaric. As for the first, he allied with the Christian Emperor Valerian, and was able to defeat his opponent’s armies. But Athanaric returned and conquered him. Because he was envious of Christians, he launched a massive campaign of persecution against them.

Among those arrested by Athanaric was Niceta, who was famous for his zeal and enthusiasm in carrying the banner of Christ and preaching the word of life. Our saint was severely tortured, but he remained steadfast and did not shake, so they threw him into the fire, and he died. This was on September 15, 372 AD.

Then his remains were transported, in an unknown way, to the city of Masissa in Cilicia (currently Turkey) and from there later to Venice.

The church celebrates it on September 15

Troparia in the fourth tune
Your martyr, O Lord, through his effort, obtained from you the indestructible crown, O our God, because he attained your strength and destroyed the usurpers, and crushed the power of the demons who had no power. Through his supplications, O Christ God, save our souls.

Qandaq with the second tune
Since you defeated the glory of error with the strength of your steadfastness, and obtained the crown of victory through your effort, therefore, O glorious Niceta, identical to his name, you rejoice with the angels, interceding with them to Christ God without hesitation for the sake of all of us.