Holy Hierarch Nikita, Recluse of the Caves, of Novgorod (+1109)

Saint Nikita, Bishop of Novgorod, was young when he came to the Kiev Caves monastery, and soon he expressed the wish to live as a recluse. The hegumen warned him that such a labour was premature for a young monk, but Nikita paid no heed to the advice. Once the ascetic fell into sin: he bowed down to a demon that appeared in the form of an angel. After this the evil one instructed him, who, as he said, had already risen to perfection: “You have no need of prayer; only read and teach others, and I will pray in your place!” He said this and stood near the recluse, pretending to pray. Soon the deluded monk Nikita surpassed everyone in knowledge of the books of the Old Testament, while of the New Testament he wished not only not to speak but not even to hear a word. The brothers of the Kiev Caves came to the deluded man and by their prayers drove the evil one from him. After this Nikita left his place of seclusion with a blessing and gave himself to strict fasting and prayer, striving above all to gain obedience and humility. Through the prayers of the blessed monks the all-good Lord raised him from the depth of his fall to the summit of perfection. Afterwards the saint became Bishop of Novgorod and was granted the gift of wonderworking too. The Venerable Nikita reposed in peace in 1109.