Saint Nicetas, Bishop of Remesiana

Life

A friend and contemporary of Saint Paulinus of Nola (see January 23). It appears that he was a Slav, and as such preached the Gospel among the Slavs in the region of Nis and Pirot. What a transformation Saint Nicetas wrought among the Slavs is best shown by the poem that Saint Paulinus composed for Nicetas: "What a change! And how blessed! The hitherto impassable and bloody mountains now hide robbers converted into monks, nurslings of peace. Where the customs of beasts prevailed, there is now the likeness of angels. The righteous man hides in a cave where formerly a criminal dwelt." The see of Saint Nicetas was the city of Remesiana, which some understand to be Pirot. Besides his missionary work, Saint Nicetas also wrote several books, such as six books on the faith and a book on the fallen maiden (which moved many to repentance). Saint Nicetas reposed in the fifth century.