Saint Nicholas

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Wonderworker

Dear brothers and sisters, today our Church celebrates the memory of Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Wonderworker. A tradition was established in the XVIIth century according to which St.Nicholas goes from house to house with a bag of gifts, checks the childrens knowledge of the catechism and the most important prayers before handing out presents. On the eve of the day of St.Nicholas the children prayed diligently. In the evening the children would place their shoes outside, in which they found gifts in the morning. Gradually, in Protestant regions, the relegious significance of St.Nicholas changed and became «Santa Claus», which is very far from the real Archbishop Nicholas amd distorts his holy image.

The real Saint Nicholas is a famous great saint pleasing unto God. He was born in the city of Patara in the region of Lycia (on the south coast of Asia Minor), and was the only son of pious parents Theophanes and Nona, whom had vowed to dedicate him to God. As the fruit of the prayers of his childless parents, the infant Nicholas from his birth revealed to people the light of his future glory as a wonderworker. His mother after giving birth was immediately healed from illness. Saint Nicholas from his infancy began a life of fasting, and on Wednesdays and Fridays would not accept milk from his mother until after his parents had finished their evening paryers.

From his childhood Nicholas thrived on the study of Divine Scripture; by day he would not leave church, and by night he prayed and read books, making himself a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. Bishop Nicholas of Patara rejoiced at the spiritual success and deep piety of his nephew. He ordained him a reader, and later elevated Nicholas to the priesthood, making him his assistant and entrusting him to instruct the flock.

In serving the Lord he was like an Elder, who aroused the wonder and deep respect of beleivers. Constantly at work and thriving in unceasing prayer, the priest Nicholas displayed great kind-heartedness toward the flock, and towards the afflicted who came to him for help, distributing all his inheritance to the poor.

There was a certain, formerly rich, inhabitant of Patara, whom Saint Nicholas saved from great sin. The man had three grown daughters, and in desperation the man planned to sell their bodies so that they might have money for food. The saint, learning of the man’s poverty and of his wicked intention, secretely visited him one night and threw a sack of gold through the window. With the money the man arranged an honorable marriage for his daughter. Saint Nicholas always strove to do this secretly concealing his good deeds.

The Bishop of Patara decided to go on a pilgrimage to the holy places in Jerusalem, and entrusted the guidance of his flock to Saint Nicholas, who fulfilled this obedience carefully and with love. When the Bishop returned Nicholas asked his blessing to go to Holy Land on a pilgrimmage also. Along the way, the saint predicted a storm would arise and threaten the ship. Saint Nicholas saw the devil get on the ship, intending to sink it and kill all the passengers. At the entreaty of the despairing pilgrims, he calmed the waves of the sea by his prayers.

Upon the death of Archbishop John, after one of the bishops of the Council said that a new archbishop should be revealed by God, not chosen by men, Nicholas was chosen as Bishop of Myra. One of the elder bishops had a vision of a radiant man, who told him the one who came to the church that night, and was the first to enter, should be made archbishop. He would be named Nicholas. The bishop went to the church at night to await Nicholas. The saint, always the first to arrive at the church, was stopped by the bishop. He asked «What is your name?» God’s chosen replied «My name is Nicholas Master, and i am your servant.»

After his consecration as archbishop, Saint Nicholas remained a great ascetic, appearing to his flock as an image of gentleness, kindness and love for people. This was particularly precious for the Church during the persecution of Christians. Despite his great gentleness of spirit and purity of heart, Saint Nicholas was a zealous and ardent warrior of the Church of Christ. He was a participant in the First Ecumenical Council. This Council proclaimed the Nicean Symbol of Faith, and he stood up againt the heretic Arius. Saint Nicholas, fired with zeal for the Lord, assailed the heretic Arius with his words, and also struck him on the face. For this reason he was deprived of the emblems of his episcopal rank and placed under guard. But several of the holy Fathers had the same vision, seeing the Lord Himself and the Mother of God returning to him the Gospel and omophorion. The Fathers of the Council agreed that the audacity of the saint was pleasing to God, and restored the saint to the office of bishop.

Having returned to his own diocese, the saint brought it peace and blessings, sowing the word of Truth, nourishing his flock with sound doctrine, and also providing food for their bodies. Even during his life the saint worked many miracles. One of the greatest was the deliverance from death of three men unjustly condemned by the Governor, who had been bribed. The saint boldly went up to the executioner and took his sword, already supended over the heads of the condemned. The Governor, denounced by Saint Nicholas for his wrong doing, repented and begged for forgiveness.

He worked many more other miracles, and struggled many long years at his labor. Through the prayers of the saint, the city of Myra was rescued from a terrible famine. He appeared to a certain Italian merchant and left him three gold pieces as a pledge of payement. He requested him to sail to Myra and deliver grain there. More than once, the saint saved those drowning at sea, and provided release from captivity and imprisonment.

Having reached old age, Saint Nicholas peacefully fell asleep in the Lord. His venerable relics were preserved incurrupt in the local cathedral church and flowed with curative myrrh, from which many received healing. In the year 1087, his relics were transferred to the Italian city of Bari, where they rest now.

The name of the great saint of God, the wonderworker Nicholas, a speedy helper to all that hasten to him, is famous in every corner of the earth, in many lands and among many peoples. Let us pray to him, so that he asks for spiritual gifts for us: humility, gentleness and love. Through the prayers of St. Nicholas let the Lord save us from all ills and evils and unite us with Him for eternal joy in His Heavenly Kingdom. Hierarch Father Nicholas, pray to Christ our God to save our souls! Amen.

Holy Ascension Russo-Greek Catholic Orthodox Church, Skaro. December 18, 2016