On December 19, the Orthodox Church celebrates St. Nicholas, Russia’s most popular saint. There is no Orthodox house without its icon. You will rarely find a city without a church. In total, in Russia, more than 5 thousand churches were built in honor of Nikolai Ugodnik. In Moscow alone, 29 churches are dedicated to the saint. In 26 of them are stored particles of his relics.
The popularity of the “male saint”, the “peasant patron” was always so great that people did not even realize that St. Nicholas had never visited Russia.
He was born on the territory of modern Turkey, in Lycia, at the end of the 3rd century. From an early age he believed in Christ with all his heart and was not interested in worldly life. He became a reader and then a priest.
After some time he was consecrated to the bishops of the town of Myra. He spent his whole life there. Her bishop’s flock adored it. He was humble, quiet, very kind.
However, in matters of faith he was firm. Thus, at the Ecumenical Council, Bishop Arius was accused of heresy (who considered Christ a man, not God) and publicly slapped him for insulting Jesus.
St. Nicholas left neither theological works nor documentary evidence. The first life was recorded only in the 8th century. But he left the main thing — a good memory and boundless love of the people.
5 Facts About Nicholas the Wonderworker
1. Calm the sea with his prayer. On the way to Alexandria, the ship on which the very young Nicholas sailed was caught in a storm. The ship was on the rocks, there was no way to prevent the crash. By the prayer of the saint, the sea calmed down.
2.He was the first to enter the church, where members of the church council were waiting for a sign to elect a new bishop. He was elected and served as Bishop of Peace of Lycia until the end of his days.
3.He secretly provided dowries to the daughters of the poor man so that they could marry and not become prostitutes. This fact became the basis for the whole industry about Santa Claus handing out gifts.
4.He saved three military leaders from execution: Ursa, Nepotian, Ermalion through their prayers.
Their meeting took place in the worlds, but the execution was to take place in Constantinople. The night before, the generals began to pray fervently, asking the Bishop of Lycia to intercede for them. St. Nicholas appeared in a dream to the governor and ordered the military leaders to be released, because they were innocent.
The ruler not only released the generals, but generously rewarded them. All gifts were brought to the worlds and donated to the temple.
5.Prevented famine in the city. He persuaded the owner of the ship, who was carrying grain to the emperor, to leave half the cargo in the Worlds. He promised that his weight would not change. That’s what happened. Upon arrival in Constantinople, the ship unloaded as much grain as loaded. And those barrels that remained in the worlds were not empty until they harvested a new crop.
St. Nicholas was distinguished by meekness and a kind heart. Therefore, they come to him with any need. Pray to God for healing and help in affairs, family reunification and wisdom in raising children. He helps the poor, protects widows, gives strength to the weak.
Three days a year the church dedicates to the memory of Nicholas the Merciful, but believers turn to him every day: “St. Nicholas, pray to God for us.” And we know that he will not leave these prayers unanswered.
Charity foundHoly Land.
Soul investment!
