The Church honors the memory of Martyrs Vyzantinus, Maximus, Nikitas of Goth, and their companions, as well as New Martyr John of Crete († 1811).
Saint Nikitas, born to noble and wealthy parents, received early Christian education from Bishop Theophilos. This upbringing instilled in him a strong foundation in the Christian faith, guiding him to lead a life of wisdom and obedience to God’s will as outlined in the Gospel and the Church’s teachings.
His ministry was marked by spiritual richness, as he fervently spread the message of the risen Jesus Christ.
Arrested for his Christian activities by the ruler Athanasius, Saint Nikitas courageously refused to renounce his faith in the Triune God. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he faced various forms of torture at the ruler’s hand, ultimately meeting a tragic end. Despite the brutal treatment, his body remained untouched by the flames, underscoring the sanctity of the human body as the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.
Source: Church of Cyprus