Life of Saint Nicholas
Also known as Nicholas of Bari, Saint Nicholas of Myra was an early Christian bishop during the time of the Roman Empire. In an affluent family of Greek Christians. Saint Nicholas was born in the city of Patara, a port on the Mediterranean Sea, traditionally on 15 March, 270. A complete account of Saint Nicholas’s life can only be found in ‘Life of Saint Nicholas’ by Michael the Archimandrite. It is written almost 500 years after Nichols’s death.
Nicholas the Wonderworker has been credited to rescue the life of three girls from forced prostitution. The modest man did so, by dropping a sack of gold coins three nights in a row, in their house so their father could pay for a dowry. He is also known to save three naive soldiers by calming the storm. Due to this miraculous event, Saint Nicholas Santa is rightly esteemed as the ‘patron saint of sailors’.
After the bishop of Myra died, the priests decided that the first person to enter the church would be made a bishop. As Nicholas was the first one to enter church to pray. He was declared as the bishop. Saint Nicholas is also said to have resurrected the pickled children and make the Sign of the Cross. After the truth of the spiteful butcher was revealed to Nicholas.
Among the Greeks and Italians, Saint Nicholas is celebrated as “The Lord of the Sea.” The life of Saint Nicholas was so glorious that his memory is still commemorated every Thursday in Eastern Orthodox Church. On 6th December, Feast Day, the life of Saint Nicholas is remembered for his giving nature. Following his footsteps, nuns in medieval times carried a similar practice and anonymously used to drop gifts door to door for the children.
Thanks to Saint Nicholas
Thanks to the life of Saint Nicholas for children might never have Santa Claus in their life if it weren’t for him! Santa Claus originated from Dutch traditions regarding Saint Nicholas (Sinterklaas). After the establishment of New Amsterdam by Dutch. The traditions of Sinterklaas was brought with them.
Saint Nicholas was originally buried in Myra where the island was referred to as “Saint Nicholas Island”. After Myra, the remains of Nicholas were brought to Bari. Where they were continued to produce ‘myrrh’ – much to the joy of their new owners. Only the main bones of Nicholas’s skeleton were taken by the sailors of Bari. Leaving minor fragments in the grave. The Venetians brought the remaining bones to Venice.
The Life of Saint Nicholas was no less than a miracle. Although not a lot of his work has been written down, the one that is accounted says a lot, too. Saint Nicholas is remembered and celebrated even today. Russain Orthodox statue of the Saint stands in a corner near the church in Demre.
