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Remembering Greatmartyr Niketas the Goth and the Martyrs of Adrianopolis · Saints and Scripture

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  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Saints in Scripture Podcast.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today is Tuesday, september fifteenth, twenty twenty six.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today we remember several saints who showed great courage and faith in Christ.
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  SPEAKER_00: Our main focus is on great martyr Nicatus the Goth, a man who lived on the banks of the Danube River in the fourth century.
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  SPEAKER_00: He was part of the Gothic people, a Germanic tribe, and he suffered for Christ in the year three hundred seventy two.
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  SPEAKER_00: At that time, Christianity was spreading among the Goths.
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  SPEAKER_00: Nicatus believed in Christ and was baptized by Bishop Theophilos, who had taken part in the first ecumenical council.
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  SPEAKER_00: However, many Goths remained pagan and opposed the Christian faith, leading to civil war.
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  SPEAKER_00: After a Christian leader named Fritigern defeated the pagan Athenaric, Christianity continued to grow among the Goths.
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  SPEAKER_00: The Bishop Uphilus created a Gothic alphabet and translated many spiritual books, including the Holy Scriptures, into the Gothic language.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Nicatus worked hard to teach his people about Christ, bringing many to the faith through his example and words.
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  SPEAKER_00: But Athenaric returned to power and continued to persecute Christians.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Nicatus spoke out against Athenaric's cruelty and encouraged the faithful to stand strong.
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  SPEAKER_00: Despite many tortures, including being thrown into fire, Nikita's body was not burned.
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  SPEAKER_00: He gave his soul to God, and his relics shone with radiant light.
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  SPEAKER_00: A Christian named Marianus took his body and buried it in Cilicia.
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  SPEAKER_00: Later, the relics were moved to Constantinople, and part of them were given to a monastery in Serbia.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Nicetus received the crown of glory from Christ on september fifteenth, three hundred seventy two.
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  SPEAKER_00: People pray to him for the protection of children from birth defects.
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  SPEAKER_00: We also remember the uncovering of the relics of Saint Acacius, Bishop of Melatine in Armenia.
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  SPEAKER_00: He lived during the Decian persecution and was arrested for being a Christian.
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  SPEAKER_00: Though tortured, he was not killed but died peacefully later, bearing the wounds of Christ on his body.
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  SPEAKER_00: Finally, we honor martyrs Theodotus, Asclepiodotus, and Maximus of Adrianopolis.
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  SPEAKER_00: These three were prominent citizens who lived devout Christian lives and brought many to faith.
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  SPEAKER_00: Under the persecution of Emperor Maximian Galarius, they were arrested and tortured for refusing to renounce Christ.
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  SPEAKER_00: Theodos even reproached the cruel governor Tyrus, who ordered severe tortures on them.
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  SPEAKER_00: Despite being beaten, burned with hot plates, and thrown to wild beasts, the martyrs remained unharmed and faithful.
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  SPEAKER_00: When the governor ordered their beheading, a bolt of lightning struck him down as a sign of God's judgment.
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  SPEAKER_00: These stories remind us of the strength and faithfulness of those who came before us.
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  SPEAKER_00: May their example inspire us to hold fast to Christ in all circumstances.
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  SPEAKER_00: Let us pray.
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  SPEAKER_00: Lord grant us the courage to stand firm in our faith like Saint Nicitas and the martyrs.
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  SPEAKER_00: Protect us from harm and guide us in your truth.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God.
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  SPEAKER_00: Amen.