Niketas the Goth was a fourth-century Christian of Gothic origin who lived in the Danube region at the margins of the Byzantine Empire, in what is today Romania. Accounts describe him as a Goth of soldierly standing among his people.
He was instructed in the Christian faith and baptized by Theophilus, a bishop of the Goths who had taken part in the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea in 325. According to tradition Niketas became a leader among the Christian Goths, drawing many of his countrymen to the faith by his teaching and example.
When the Gothic ruler Athanaric renewed the persecution of Christians among the Goths, Niketas openly denounced him and was put to death by fire in the year 372. He is venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Church as a Great-Martyr, with his feast kept on September 15.
Timeline 4 moments
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4th centuryBirth among the GothsNiketas was born of Gothic origin and lived in the Danube region at the edge of the Byzantine Empire, in territory corresponding to present-day Romania.
between 325 and 341Baptism by Bishop TheophilusHe was instructed in Christianity and baptized by Theophilus, a converted bishop of the Goths who had attended the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325. By his teaching and example Niketas drew many fellow Goths to the faith.
September 15, 372Martyrdom by fireWhen the Gothic ruler Athanaric renewed his persecution of Christians, Niketas denounced him for his cruelty and impiety. After being tortured, he was cast into a fire, in which he died.
after 372Recovery and translation of his relicsBy night a Christian named Marianus recovered his body and buried it in Cilicia. His relics were afterward transferred to Constantinople.
Contributions & Legacy
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The Goths and the Spread of Christianity
Niketas lived during the period in which Christianity was spreading among the Gothic peoples settled along the Danube. Sources relate that the faith advanced under Gothic leaders favorable to it, one of whom is said to have placed the image of the Holy Cross upon the military standards.
During this era the Gothic bishop Urphilus (Ulfilas) developed an alphabet for the Gothic language and translated Christian texts, which assisted the growth of Christianity among the Goths. Niketas, baptized by Bishop Theophilus, became one of the prominent Christians among his people.
Persecution and Martyrdom
The Gothic ruler Athanaric is described as a fierce pagan and an enemy of Christians who subjected believers to severe torments. When he renewed the persecution, Niketas stood before him and denounced him for his godlessness and inhumanity, encouraging the faithful to remain steadfast.
After enduring torture, Niketas was thrown into a fire, where he died on September 15, 372. Tradition relates that his body remained untouched by the flames.
Relics & Shrines
According to the accounts, a Christian named Marianus, a friend of the saint, sought out his remains by night and buried them in Cilicia. The relics were afterward transferred to Constantinople.
A particle of the relics of the Great-Martyr Niketas is kept at the monastery of Visoki Decani in Serbia. Orthodox tradition records that miracles and healings were associated with his relics.
His companions & kin
The Gothic bishop who baptized Niketas and took part in the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea in 325.
Theophilus of Gothia
Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints
