Happy Saint Nicholas Day !
Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of the Myra of Lycia, is one of the greatest saints revered throughout the Christian world. December 19 – the day of memory of St. Nicholas – the protector of children and sailors. According to legend, on this date he descends from heaven and frees the earth from evil spirits, and also patronizes believers.
Saint Nicholas was born in the third century in the city of Patara, the Lycian province of the Roman Empire. At that time, this area was Greek, and is now located on the southern coast of Turkey.
His wealthy parents, who had raised him as a devout Christian, died of an epidemic when Nicholas was still young. In obedience to the words of Jesus, “sell your possessions and give money to the poor,” Nicholas used his entire inheritance to help the needy, sick and suffering. He devoted his life to serving God. Bishop Nicholas became famous all over the world for his generosity to those in need, love for children, care for sailors and ships.
Under the Roman emperor Diocletian, who mercilessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so overcrowded with bishops, priests, and deacons that there was no room for real criminals—murderers, thieves, and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. He died on December 6 (19), 343 AD. in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique liquid called manna formed in his grave. In the years following the death of St. Nicholas, Christian pilgrims visited the temple to be anointed with holy ointment and healed.
Over the centuries, many stories and legends have been told about the life and deeds of St. Nicholas, and in memory of his good deeds, the image of Santa Claus appeared. In 1626, several Dutch ships, led by the frigate Goede Vrove, on the bow of which stood the figure of St. Nicholas, arrived in the New World. Seekers of happiness bought land from the Indians for $24 and named the place New Amsterdam, and the figure of the saint was transferred from the ship to the main square. The small Fort Amsterdam on Manhattan Island has since become the independent state of New York. The name “Saint Nicholas”, which sounds in the language of the Indians “Sinter Klass”, was transformed into “Santa Claus”.
