12th century
Saint Niketas the Stylite of Pereyaslavl
A former tax collector who repented, became a stylite wearing heavy chains, and was killed by robbers who mistook them for silver.
Biography
Niketas lived in the twelfth century in Pereyaslavl, Russia, and worked as a tax collector, extorting huge sums from the townspeople. One day, hearing in church the prophet Isaiah's words on repentance, he was overcome, ran to a monastery, and confessed his sins.
His spiritual father tested him by having him publicly confess his sins for three days at the monastery gate, and he obeyed with humility. He became a monk and lived as a stylite wearing heavy chains, until in 1196 robbers killed him, mistaking his chains for silver.