Bishop
Blessed Nikita, brother of the Holy Pechersk Monastery, aspired to a hermitic life, despite the warnings of the igumen Nikon about possible temptations. Having locked himself in a cave, he was deceived by a demon who appeared to him in the guise of an angel, and he ceased to pray, becoming engrossed in reading books. The holy fathers, seeing his delusion, prayed for him and expelled the demon. Nikita, repenting, began to lead a strict life and was elevated to the episcopal throne of Novgorod in 1096. During his service, he performed miracles, including sending rain and extinguishing fires. He died on January 30, 1108, and was buried with honor in the church of the Holy Ancestors Joachim and Anna. His relics were found incorrupt in 1558 and continue to bestow healings upon the faithful.
