Eastern Rite - Feasts of 28 May AM 7532

Today is the Feast of Our Venerable Father Nikḗtas, Bishop of Chalcedon.

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Saint Nikḗtas, Bishop of Chalcedon, lived during the second half of the eighth century. For his God-pleasing life, he was consecrated as Bishop of Chalcedon.

Saint Nikḗtas distinguished himself by his charity, he always helped the poor, he lodged travellers in his home, he cared for orphans and widows, and he interceded for those who had been wronged.

During the reign of the iconoclast Leo the Armenian (813-820), Saint Nikḗtas bravely denounced the Iconoclast heresy and urged his flock to venerate the holy icons of Christ, the Theotokos, and the saints. Saint Nikḗtas endured much suffering from the impious emperor and his like-minded cohorts. He was subjected to torture and sent off to exile.

The holy confessor Nikḗtas died at the beginning of the ninth century. From his relics occurred many miracles of healing. The Canon of the service, written by the priest Joseph of Constantinople, also includes Saint Nikḗtas’s brother, Saint Ignatius, among the saints.

Troparion — Tone 4

In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith, / an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence; / your humility exalted you; your poverty enriched you. / Hierarch Father Nicetas, / entreat Christ our God that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion — Tone 8

You shone with the splendour of your deeds, venerable Nicetas. / You became an heir to the throne of the apostles. / Completely filled, O Father, with the teachings of God, you shone like the sun upon your flock. / Therefore we cry out to you: “Rejoice, beauty of Chalcedon.”