A recluse of the Kiev Caves who, after being deceived in his enclosure by the enemy, was restored through the prayers of the fathers and later became a holy bishop of Novgorod.
Feast Day
January 31
Also Apr 30, May 14
Draft
Draft — pending review. Not yet verified for publication.
Our Father among the Saints Niketas the Recluse, Bishop of Novgorod
Come to them for
Deliverance from the Occult
Life
Niketas the Recluse was a monk of the Kiev Caves monastery who later served as Bishop of Novgorod. His life is best remembered for an early episode of spiritual delusion: having withdrawn into reclusion prematurely and against the counsel of his abbot, he was deceived by a demon disguised as an angel and was restored only through the prayers of the monastery's elders. After his repentance he was raised to the episcopate and was credited with the working of miracles.
He was elevated to the see of Great Novgorod in 1096 and governed it for thirteen years until his repose. He was later glorified, and his relics were uncovered incorrupt in the sixteenth century and enshrined in Novgorod, where he is venerated as a wonderworking hierarch.
Timeline 5 moments
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Late 11th centuryTonsure at the Kiev CavesNiketas entered the Kiev Caves monastery in his youth and soon desired to take up the life of a recluse, against the counsel of the abbot, who warned that the undertaking was premature.
During his reclusionSpiritual deception and rescueA demon appeared to him disguised as an angel and led him to abandon prayer and to study only the Old Testament. The elders, noticing that he never cited the New Testament, recognized the deception, drove out the demon by their prayers, and drew him out of his enclosure; he then repented and returned to a life of humility and obedience.
1096Bishop of NovgorodHe was elevated to the episcopal throne of Great Novgorod and was granted the grace to work miracles.
1108/1109ReposeHe reposed after governing the see of Novgorod for thirteen years.
16th centuryUncovering of relicsHis relics were found incorrupt and uncovered during the reign of Tsar Ivan Vasilievich, and he was glorified as a saint.
Contributions & Legacy
3 contributions
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Reclusion and Spiritual Deception
Niketas entered the Kiev Caves monastery as a young man and soon wished to become a recluse. The abbot cautioned that such a withdrawal was premature for one so inexperienced, but Niketas would not listen, declaring that he would not be deceived. In his enclosure he encountered what seemed to be signs of grace — a sweet fragrance and a voice joining his prayers — and when he asked to behold God, a demon appeared to him in the form of an angel, to which he bowed down.
Under this influence he abandoned prayer, devoted himself solely to the Old Testament, and began to deliver prophecies to visitors. The elders of the monastery grew suspicious when they observed that he never cited the New Testament, and understood that he had fallen into spiritual delusion. They broke into his cave, drove out the demon through their prayers, and brought him out of seclusion. By the accounts of his life he afterward could not recall the Old Testament he had once memorized and had to learn anew. He wept in repentance and took up the path of humility and obedience.
Episcopate and Miracles
In 1096 Niketas was raised to the episcopal throne of Great Novgorod, which he governed for thirteen years. He was remembered as a wonderworker: by tradition, during a drought he summoned rain through his prayers, and on another occasion he extinguished a fire in the city. He reposed after his thirteen years as bishop, his death recorded in the sources as 1108 or 1109.
Relics & Shrines
Niketas was glorified during the reign of Tsar Ivan Vasilievich. His relics were found incorrupt, vested in full episcopal garments, and uncovered in the sixteenth century. They were enshrined in the church of the Holy Apostle Philip in Novgorod, where he continues to be venerated. His memory is kept on January 31, on April 30 (the uncovering of his relics), and on May 14.
His companions & kin
The fathers of the Kiev Caves monastery, whose prayers rescued Niketas from his spiritual delusion.
Monks of the Kiev Caves
Notes
Apr 30 (uncovering of relics) and May 14 (celebrated at Novgorod).
