SAINT NICHOLAS OF MYRA
HOLY HIERARCH AND WONDERWORKER
A study of the heroes of the Church involves an inquiry, at least, into
whatever facts may exist about the life and times of the saint under examination.
The extent to which our knowledge is predicated on discernable historical
facts as distinguished from legend which arose to embellish the facts
becomes less relevant as one delves further back into the grey years of
antiquity when facts are subsumed into legend and becomes part thereof.
The historians task is difficult; the hagiographer's work less so because
the latter is unburdened by any need to respect the facts. His task is
to present the saint as an example for the edification and guidance of
the faithful. In hagiography truth is relative; the Truth is paramount.
So it is with our Great and Glorious Hierarch and Wonderworker, Nicholas
of Myra, whose feast day is celebrated in the Eastern and Western Churches
on December 6. What is actually known about Nicholas is little, but as
far as can be determined he was born toward the end of the 3rd century
the son of Theophanes, a celebrity in his own right in the city of Patara
in Lycia in Asia Minor, part of the Eastern Roman Empire. Nothing is known
about his childhood, but legend has it that after his birth, while still
in the baptismal fond, he stood on his feet for three hours supported
by no one to render honor to the Holy Trinity. In his youth he was influenced
by his uncle, Nicholas, bishop of Patara, to chose the monastic life.
As a young man he was imprisoned during the persecutions of the Emperors
Diocletion and Maximilian. In time he became known for his piety and acts
of charity. While the Arian heresy was rampaging throughout Christendom,
he sided with the Catholic party. The arch-heretic, Arius, had taught
that Christ is neither equal to nor of one substance with the Father,
but merely an intermediary between God and man. To crush this heresy,
Emperor Constantine summoned the bishops into solemn conclave in the First
Ecumenical Council of Nicea in 325. At this council the Catholic party
prevailed over the heretics and Arius was condemned. The story goes that
Nicholas was present at the council and was so incensed by the heretic's
arrogance that he struck him, for which reason he was expelled by the
council fathers. Nicholas is nowhere to be found on the lists of bishops
who attended the council.
Another story tells that Nicholas gave three bags of gold to three girls
as dowry to spare them from prostitution. He is also said to have raised
three boys to life after they had drowned and to have saved three wrongly
condemned prisoners from execution and sailors from drowning.
Nicholas' reputation for charitable works grew during his lifetime and
after his death on December 6, 343. After the Virgin Mary and St. John
the Forerunner he was the most revered saint in the early Church. The
Emperor Justinian instituted his feast day in the liturgical calendar
on December 6 and dedicated a splendid church in his memory in Constantinople.
By popular acclamation he was declared a saint worthy of universal veneration.
St. Nicholas is venerated as patron saint of Greece, Russia, Kingdom
of Naples, Sicily, Lorraine, and by several cities of Europe including
Moscow. On his feast day he was celebrated as benefactor of children in
both the Eastern and Western Churches.
When the city of Myra was threatened by the invading Muslims and fell
into their hands, out of fear that his remains might be desecrated by
the heathens, his body was transported by Italians to Bari on the east
coast of Italy in the year 1084 where it remains to this day within a
magnificent basilica built in his honor. His remains are reputed to exude
a fragrant myrrh-like substance known as myron. This phenomenon known
as "manna of St. Nicholas" was present during the reinternment of his
body in the 1950ies.
The Protestant revolt in 16th century Europe worked hard to suppress the
veneration of the Virgin Mary and the saints in the territories under
its control. It was in those parts of Europe that Nicholas evolved from
a saint into a jolly old fat fellow who gives gifts to children on December
6. His secularization continued in America as Santa Claus or St. Nick,
moved from Myra to the North Pole whence he emerges every year to the
joy of the money-grubbing merchant class and of the innocent children,
few of whom know of his origins. To the faithful, however, in the Eastern
Churches of the Byzantine/Slavonic liturgical tradition St. Nicholas remain
preeminent for his good works and is represented for veneration in many
an icon throughout the world where right-believing Eastern Christians
are found.
TROPARION of Saint Nicholas
The sincerity of your deeds has revealed
you to your people as a teacher of moderation, a model of faith, and
an example of virtue. Therefore, you attained greatness through humility,
and wealth through poverty. O Father and Archbishop Nicholas, ask
Christ to save our souls.
KONTAKION of Saint Nicholas
You were truly a priestly worker in Myra,
for zealously living the Gospel of Christ, you dedicated your life
to your people; you saved the innocent from death. Therefore you have
been sanctified as one who has entered the mystery of God's grace.
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