Description
Saint Nicholas, also called Nicholas the Wonder Worker or Nicholas of Myra, is a popular saint in the Orthodox Church. According to tradition, Saint Nicholas was born into a Christian family in Lycia in the late third century. He was an ardent follower of the Christian faith from his childhood and studied theology, later becoming a priest before serving as the Archbishop of Myra. Saint Nicholas served on the first Ecumenical Council in Nicaea in 325 AD, where he fervently advocated for Orthodoxy in the Roman Empire.
Pious and kind, Saint Nicholas would become known for fasting, prayer, and charity; giving away his inheritance to those in need. He is further associated with several miracles, having twice used prayer to calm harsh winds that threatened to overtake the ship on which he was travelling. Saint Nicholas is also credited with saving the lives of a trio of Roman officers, by appearing in a dream of Emperor Constantine and informing him that the men were not guilty of conspiracy. Additional miracles include appearing to a sailing master who was travelling with a cargo of corn and instructing him to dock in Myra; thus, saving the people of Myra from famine. Most miracles associated with Saint Nikolaos involve ships and danger at sea, in fact, even after his death Saint Nicholas has been credited with bringing ships to safety.
Saint Nicholas is typically depicted as an old man, wearing an omophorion, which is the attire worn by Orthodox bishops. In his hand he holds the Gospel. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, children, and the poor, as well as being known as the patron saint of Russia and Greece. His feast day of is celebrated on December 6 in the Greek Orthodox faith, but is also celebrated on December 19 in other Eastern Orthodox churches.
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