The fatherland of the holy martyr Nikita was Albania. History has not left us any facts about his origin and parents and what this blessed father did in the world. What is known is that he labored on the holy Mount Athos, first in the Russian monastery of St. Great Martyr Panteleimon, undergoing alternate priestly services there, and after some time he retired to silence in the monastery of St. Anna. Here, leading a silent and fasting life, he perfected himself so much that his heart was filled with love for our Redeemer Jesus Christ and that out of love for Him and for that precious blood that He shed on the cross for the sins of the human race, he himself wanted to shed his blood by accepting a martyr’s death.
The spark that had sunk and smoldered in his heart for a long time finally flared up into a flame so that he was no longer able to endure the Divine fire burning in his heart, left the Holy Mountain and, coming to the city of Serra (Seres), stopped at the Serron monastery, where for some time he prepared himself for martyrdom, then from here he went to the ruler of the city, courageously confessed before him Christ as the true God, and Mohammed as he denounced and cursed the charmer and deceiver, for which he suffered martyrdom.
From the beginning to the end of his imprisonment he suffered severe torture; one evening the prison guard brought a lit tallow candle and held it for a long time at Nikita’s nostrils; signs of burning were visible on his face even after his death. We also correctly learned from a noble Christian who had free access to the prince, and that Christian learned from his sincere friend from the Albanians, that they tyrannized the martyr with the following tortures: they put an iron crown on his head, stuck needles under his fingernails, hung him upside down by his feet, scorched his body; The martyr generously endured all this.
On the evening of Holy Saturday, about two hours from sunset, Isukh Bey sentenced the sufferer to death by hanging. So, they took him out of prison and, with beatings and blows, brought him to a part of the city called Cheryakh-bazaar, and there they put a noose around his neck; Among the executioners there was a gypsy, who was ordered to bend down so that the martyr could step on the shoulders to be lifted, but he considered himself unworthy to step on a man, so they put him on a stirrup, tightened the noose and raised him, asking everyone for forgiveness and forgiving everyone. Such was the martyrdom of the holy monk Nikita!
Near the place of execution there is the Church of the Archangel Michael; Her hierodeacon, leaving his cell, saw a great light that illuminated the entire surrounding area; Also, one noble old woman saw the whole city illuminated that night. The body of the hieromartyr remained on the gallows for three days until Tuesday of Holy Easter, without changing his face or the other members; upon death the body was yellow, and remained so in the following days, and was turned towards the east. Those who hanged him took all his clothes, leaving him completely naked, but the next day they covered him with matting, perhaps at the request of some Christians. On the third day of Easter, in the morning, blood began to flow from the ulcer on the big toe of the right foot and flowed all day, occupying a considerable area of the ground; Many of the Christians, out of reverence, collected the martyr's blood along with the earth. On the same day, in the evening, the Christians were given permission from Isuh Bey to remove Nikita and bury him, which they did; They buried the sufferer behind the church of St. Nicholas, near the city hospice house, in a special place. The holy martyr died on April 4, 1808.
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St. Gregory of Byzantium, Athos (XIV, commemorated April 6)
Our venerable father Gregory was from Byzantium, and his life as an angel shone within the monastery of St. Afanasia. All that is known about this father is that he was the mentor of the Divine Gregory Palamas in sober wisdom and that for the equal height of his life he was honored to receive food from the hands of angels.
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St. Nil Sorsky († 1508, commemorated April 7, May 7)