Nicetas of Medikion

Miniature from the Menologion of Basil II

Saint Nicetas of Medikion (Greek: Νικήτας Μηδικίου) or Nicetas the Confessor (Νικήτας ο ομολογητής),[1] who is commemorated on 28 May,[2] was a monk.

As a youth Nicetas joined the Medikion monastery (μονή Μηδικίου) and later was made its hegumenos. His piety drew others to join and follow him at the monastery. Twice he was imprisoned for taking stands against the heresy of Iconoclasm.[3] According the Russian and Serbian “Synaxars” his courageous opposition to the iconoclasts resulted in his exile, at the beginning of the 9th century, during the reign of Leo V the Armenian in Byzantium.[4]

In his Canon, written by the Constantinopolitan hieromonk, Saint Joseph the Hymnographer,[5] the life led by Saint Nicetas was described as ascetic, God–pleasing, and full of charity. He died in 824. He was mentioned also as a wonderworker, and a 'source of healing'.[6]

References to St. Nicetas have been found in old manuscripts originating from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and in menaia from the Orthodox Patriarchates of Serbia and Russia. A church, first constructed in the 18th century, was dedicated to him on the Greek island of Lefkas.

References

  1. ↑ In the Orthodox Church, a "Confessor" is one who has suffered for the faith, but not endured martyrdom.
  2. ↑ (orthodox wiki website) per 19 May 2012.
  3. ↑ per 19 May 2012.
  4. ↑
    • For more details see: Perdikaris A.G. “Nicetas the confessor, bishop of Chalcedon” in Domus Byzantinus, vol.14, p.131-9 (2004-5)
  5. ↑ www.anastasis.org.uk
  6. ↑ per 19 May 2012.

External links