Nikita Lyonsky

The son of Senator Florentine and Artemia, daughter of St. Rustic . Nikita grew up in a pious Gallo-Roman family. In childhood, he was cured of a tumor on his face after the appearance of St. Martin the Merciful, Bishop of Tours. Having become a priest at the age of thirty, Nikita was engaged in teaching youth, was pious and chaste. In particular, he showed concern for his nephew, St. Gregory of Tours , who subsequently compiled his biography ^{[1] [2]} .

The brother of his grandfather, St. Rustik, St. Cerdo , Bishop of Lyons , during a visit to Paris to the King of the Merovingian Dynasty , Hildebert I , became seriously ill. As his last wish, Cerdo asked the ruler that his nephew Nikita should succeed him as bishop of Lyon. According to legend, the king replied: “May the Will of God!” After that, with the approval of the clergy and population of Lyon, Nikita in 551/552 became the 28th bishop of the Metropolis of Lyon ^{[1] [2]} .

In accordance with the biography, Saint Nikita showed special mercy in everything, imitating Christ. If he felt offended, he immediately forgave the offender. However, Saint Nikita was a rather powerful man. Seeing that the deacon, who was forbidden to worship, violated the ban, Nizhier shouted “Let him be silent!”, After which the deacon shouted to the ground and writhed, until Nizier freed him from the demon with his prayer ^{[1] [2]} .

Saint Nikita took part in several Church councils, including the 567 Cathedral of Lyon ^[2] .

Saint Nikita died on April 2, 573 and was buried, like the other bishops of Lyon, in the ancient basilica of the holy apostles Peter and Paul. The miracles revealed on his grave attracted a huge number of pilgrims, and the church began to be called the church of St. Nizier ^[1] .

The successor of St. Nikita at the Department of Lyon was Bishop Priscus.