Feastday: April 2
Birth: 513
Death: 573
Also Nizier, bishop of Lyons, France, from 553. The nephew of Bishop St. Sacerdos of Lyons, he was appointed successor to his uncle's see. His time as bishop brought an extensive revival of ecclesiastical chant. He was also known for his abilities as an exorcist.
For the bishop of Trier, see Nicetius.Saint Nicetius (Nicetus, Nicet or Nizier) (513 – 2 April 573) was Archbishop of Lyon, then Lugdunum, France, during the 6th century. He served from 552 or 553.
Life
Nicetius was ordained as a priest by Agricola, Bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne. He was the nephew of Sacerdos, bishop of Lyon, and his successor. He revived ecclesiastical chant in his diocese.
Nicetius was also noted for being an exorcist. He received the title of patriarch from the pope. He took it upon himself to judge secular as well as ecclesiastical cases and therefore came into conflict with the local count. Nicetius attended a council at his own city of Lyon some time between 567 and 570.
Veneration
His feast day is 2 April, the day on which he died. Miracles were attributed to him after his death. The church of Saint-Nizier in Lyon is dedicated to him. There is an early life of Nicetius which can be found in Vita Nicetii Episcopi Lugdunensis, ed. B. Krusch, Monumenta Germaniae Historica Scriptores Rerum Merovingicarum III pp. 518–524 and is translated online here Gregory of Tours - who refers to Nicetius as his uncle- also wrote a supplementary life to him in his Vita Patrum.
