Q4085049

Saint Nikita, Bishop of Novgorod, was an Eastern Orthodox monk and hierarch of the late eleventh and early twelfth centuries. His life is known principally from the Kiev Caves Paterikon, the collection of narratives about the early monks of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. Surviving sources give no information about his family, place of origin, or year of birth. He entered the Monastery of the Caves at Kiev and, while still spiritually immature, insisted on living as a recluse. Abbot Nikon warned him that the eremitical life required proven stability, but Nikita had himself enclosed in a cave anyway.

In seclusion he fell into demonic deception. A demon appeared in the form of an angel of light and ordered him to stop praying and to occupy himself only with reading, promising that he would become a great teacher and prophet. Nikita thereafter showed an extraordinary command of the Old Testament and began to make predictions that came true because the demon supplied him with hidden knowledge. Nobles and others came to consult him. The senior fathers of the lavra noticed, however, that he would never speak of the Gospels, the Apostles, or anything from the New Testament; conversation about Christ produced irritation or silence. Recognizing the delusion, the elders prayed and drove the demon out. At that instant Nikita lost all his learning and could not even recognize letters; he had to be taught to read again. From then on he lived in humility and obedience and attained genuine monastic holiness.

In 1096 he was consecrated Bishop of Novgorod. He occupied the see for about twelve years and was remembered for pastoral care and for miracles, including the quenching of a major fire in the city by prayer and the granting of rain in drought. He died on 31 January 1108 and was buried in the Cathedral of Holy Wisdom (Saint Sophia) in Novgorod. As a monk and later an Eastern bishop he lived in celibacy; no spouse or children are recorded.

In 1558 his relics were found incorrupt during work in the cathedral, in the time of Metropolitan Macarius. This confirmed long-standing local veneration. The Russian Orthodox Church commemorates him on 31 January (repose) and 14 May (uncovering of the relics), and also among the synaxis of Novgorod hierarchs. He is venerated as a saint and wonderworker, especially in the Russian tradition. Beyond that, details of his early life remain unknown.