TODAY WE CELEBRATE THE HOLY GREAT MARTYR NIKITAS: This Holiday Is a Great Warning to Serbs, And Women Have A Special Task!

The Serbian Orthodox Church and the faithful celebrate Saint Great Martyr Nikitas, one of the most revered saints among Serbs. Nikitas was a native of the Goths and a disciple of Bishop Theophilus of Gothia, a participant in the First Ecumenical Council.

When Prince Athanaric began the persecution of Christians, Nikitas stood before him and openly rebuked him for his godlessness and inhumanity. He was tortured with terrible suffering, but he confessed his faith even more strongly and prayed to God with gratitude. He wore an icon of the Mother of God on his chest, because she had personally appeared to him and comforted him.

Finally, he was cast into fire, but his body remained unharmed. His friend, Marian, transferred the relics to the city of Mopsuestia, where a church dedicated to Saint Nikitas was built. He suffered and was glorified in 372 AD.

„STOPAMA PREDAKA“: Poznati srpski glumac, poreklom sa Kosmeta, krstio sina u Gračanici!

Why Saint Nikitas Is Important to Serbs

Saint Nikitas is especially revered among Serbs because his feast day is celebrated during the transition between summer and autumn, in the last days of September. This is the period when field work ends and the preparation of winter stores begins, so this day has always been tied to the household, the preservation of food, and the safety of the family during the winter.

What Women Should Do Today

According to folk belief, on this holiday, women must finish preparing winter stores—they cook ajvar, roast peppers, pickle turšija, and tidy up pantries. It is said that whoever does not finish preparing winter stores by Nikitas’ day risks running out of food during the winter or having what they preserved spoil.

It is also believed that on Nikitas’ day, it is not good to start major house chores other than those related to food and family welfare. Women traditionally blessed the storage area and icons on this day, as it was believed that the whole family would enter the winter protected and fed.

The Holiday That Warns

Saint Nikitas became famous for his faith and steadfastness, and the folk customs tied to his day and holiday remind us of the strength of home, family, and gratitude for what we have. Therefore, today the faithful pray for health and protection, and hostesses are sure to complete the preparation of their winter supplies.