The Day of Remembrance of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Georgia, one of the most revered Saints by Georgians, is called Nikolozoba - in all active churches countries on this day are festive services.
Saint Nicholas became famous as a great saint of God - the Saint is especially revered as a quick helper in the most hopeless and insoluble problems, both spiritual and worldly.
Evidence of the numerous miracles performed by Nicholas the Wonderworker, and his extraordinary mercy, have been preserved in church tradition.
To this day, the Saint helps people who turn to him with prayer - the icons of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker are kept on ships and vessels, which indicates a special reverence for him by sailors.
In honor of Nicholas the Wonderworker, celebrations, according to the church calendar, take place three times a year: May 22 - in memory of the transfer of the relics of the Saint to Bar (Bari - Italy) from the World of Lycian (the territory of modern Turkey), August 11 - on the day of the birth of the Saint and December 19 - on the day of his death.
life
The future Saint was born in the year 270 in the town of Patara, a Greek colony located in the region of Lycia in Asia Minor. Nicholas, as they say in the life of the Saint, was born thanks to the prayer of desperate parents who had not had children for a long time.
Nikolai's parents were very wealthy people - they believed in Jesus Christ and actively helped the poor. From childhood, Nikolai spent a lot of time in the temple and devoted himself entirely to faith.
As an adult, Nikolai served as a reader, and then as a priest at the church, where his uncle, Bishop Nikolai of Patara, was the rector. The young man, serving the Lord, burned in spirit, and in matters of faith with experience he was like an old man, which aroused the astonishment and deep respect of believers.
Fate of the Saint
Presbyter Nicholas, constantly being in unceasing prayer, showed great mercy to the flock - he came to the aid of the afflicted and distributed all his property to the poor.
So, St. Nicholas saved a poor city dweller from a great sin, having learned about his bitter need and poverty. In order to somehow feed the family, the father, desperate to marry three adult daughters, having no dowry, decided to sell them to a brothel.
Grieving for the perishing sinner, the saint secretly threw three sacks of gold out of the window at night and saved his family from falling and spiritual death. Saint Nicholas always tried to secretly do alms and hide his good deeds.
Saint Nicholas ascended to the episcopal throne in the World in the years when the attitude towards Christians of the Roman emperors became more tolerant, nevertheless, the persecution continued. Now this town is called Demre, it is located in the province of Antalya in Turkey.
People fell in love with the new archbishop very much—he was kind, fair, meek, sympathetic. Not a single request to him remained unanswered. Under the emperor Diocletian, the persecutor of Christians, Saint Nicholas was imprisoned, but even there he preached and took care of the prisoners.
With all this, St. Nicholas was remembered by his contemporaries as a defender of Christianity, denouncing heretics and an implacable fighter against paganism, who destroyed temples and idols.
Saint Nicholas became famous for many miracles during his lifetime - with his fervent prayer to Christ, he saved the city of Mira from a terrible famine. The miracle worker, with his prayer, led the unjustly condemned from imprisonment in prisons and helped drowning sailors on ships.
© photo: Sputnik / Abram Shterenberg
Nicholas Roerich "Saint Nicholas".
Nicholas the Wonderworker died peacefully around 345-351 ( exact date unknown), living to a ripe old age.
The honest relics of St. Nicholas were kept incorruptible in the local cathedral church - they exuded a healing myrrh, which brought healing to many. The relics of the Wonderworker were transferred to the Italian city of Bari in 1087, where they still rest.
Nikolozoba
The miracle worker is one of the most revered Saints in Georgia. The day of memory of Nicholas the Wonderworker in Georgia is called Nikolozoba. holiday services take place on this day in all functioning churches of the country.
He is considered one of the patrons of the Georgian Orthodox Church. Only in Tbilisi there are five Orthodox churches bearing the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
The Georgian Orthodox Church celebrates St. Nicholas Day twice a year: December 19 is the day of his commemoration and May 22 is the feast of the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of the World of Lycia, to the Italian city of Bari.
Patron
Nicholas the Wonderworker has been considered the patron saint of travelers and, first of all, sailors since ancient times. It is said in the life of the Saint that during the journey, when young Nicholas went to study in Alexandria, a tragedy happened on the ship - one of the sailors fell off the mast and died.
Saint Nicholas sincerely prayed to the Savior for the unfortunate man, and the Lord, to everyone's amazement, performed a miracle and resurrected the sailor.
© photo: Sputnik / Grigory Sisoev
Sailors, over the past centuries, have collected a lot of evidence of how Nicholas the Wonderworker helps. Overland travelers also turn to the saint in their prayers.
Saint Nicholas patronizes children, especially those in distress, whom he always helped according to legend - he fed them, sometimes presented gifts, saved them from death and healed them. Therefore, when a holiday was established in honor of the Wonderworker after death, a tradition appeared in Holland to distribute gifts to children.
The same tradition existed in Germany - the ministers of the Cologne Cathedral on the day of remembrance of the Saint on December 6 (according to the old style) handed out pastries and fruits to children.
The birth of Santa Claus is associated with the birth of Clement Clark Moore's poem "The Coming of St. Nicholas", in which he described the Miracle Worker as a kind, well-fed old man. This tradition has since spread throughout the world and has taken root most in the United States.
photo: Courtesy of Tbilisi City Hall
On this holiday, since ancient times, it is customary to hold charity events that are aimed at helping poor and orphaned children.
Traditions and signs
Traditional dishes on St. Nicholas Day, which is celebrated during the Advent period, were pies with mushrooms and beer.
The Slavs, in the old days, considered this day the last in the year when it was necessary to distribute all debts, as they believed that in the coming year the family would be in poverty if this was not done.
It was also believed that in the coming year there would be trouble if the owner of the house did not go around his yard first. Therefore, the men on the day of St. Nicholas tried to get up early and go around the whole courtyard.
On this day, it was customary to put up with those with whom in a quarrel.
© photo: Sputnik / Alexander Yuriev
This day was considered magical by many, when any desires come true - the girls put a glass of water by the bed before going to bed and said: "betrothed, mummers, come to me to drink some water." And whoever dreams will be her fate.
To find out whether a girl will marry or not, in ancient times, girls took a ring married woman, preferably happy, and hung him on his own hair over a glass of water and watched him.
According to fortune-telling, a girl will not get married this year if the ring hits the edge of the glass, if the ring spins quickly without touching the glass, this portends a quick wedding, and the slowly moving ring indicates that the girl will marry twice.
Winter could also be predicted by the weather on St. Nicholas Day - a cold day foreshadowed a cold winter, and warm weather indicated that the entire season would be clear and without severe frosts. If snow falls before the holiday, the winter will be cold, frosty and harsh.
The year promises to be rich and fruitful if frost appears before the day of the Miracle Worker.
What are they praying for
They pray to Nicholas the Wonderworker in a variety of life trials - people testify that the Saint responds to the prayer of believers soon. They also ask Nicholas the Wonderworker for the well-being of travelers.
They pray to the Wonderworker for deliverance from hunger, as well as for the successful marriage of their daughters, remembering how the Saint secretly donated money for a dowry to the daughters of a ruined man.
Nicholas the Wonderworker, during his lifetime, became famous as the defender of the innocently condemned, the pacifier of the warring and the deliverer from a vain death.
You can ask Nicholas the Wonderworker for any help, remembering what power his prayer has. You can turn to the Saint with any question, and your voice will be heard.
Prayers
Prayer one
O all-praised, great wonderworker, Saint of Christ, Father Nicholas!
We pray to you, wake up the hope of all Christians, faithful protectors, hungry feeders, crying joy, sick doctors, floating rulers on the sea, feeders of the poor and orphans and an early helper and patron to everyone, let us live a peaceful life here and let us be able to see the glory of God's chosen ones in heaven, and with them unceasingly sing of the one in the Trinity, the worshiped God forever and ever. Amen.
Prayer two
O great intercessor, the bishop of God, blessed Nicholas, who shines miracles like a sunflower, who calls upon you as a quick hearer, you always anticipate and save, and deliver, and take away all kinds of troubles, from God given to you miracles and gifts of grace!
Hear me unworthy, calling you with faith and bringing prayer to you singing; I offer you an intercessor for supplication to Christ.
O notorious in miracles, high saint! as if you have boldness, soon stand before the Lord, and reverence your hands in prayer to Him, stretch out for me a sinner, and from Him give bounties of goodness, and accept me in your intercession, and deliver me from all troubles and evils, freeing me from the invasion of enemies visible and invisible, and destroying all those slander and malice, and reflecting those who fight me in my whole life; ask for forgiveness by my sin, and present me to Christ and save the Kingdom of Heaven for the multitude of that philanthropy, he deserves all glory, honor and worship, with his Father without beginning, and with the Most Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever and forever and ever.
Material prepared on the basis of open sources
One of the last church holidays of the outgoing 2017 will be the day of memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. This is a great day to visit church or pray at home.
December 19 - the date is unchanged, that is, non-transferable. This holiday is always celebrated during Advent, at its height. You can devote this day to going to church to take communion and confess. At the festive liturgy, they will remember the wonderworker Nicholas, who not only helped spread Christianity, but breathed his life into this process, becoming one of the most important personalities for the Orthodox religion.
Alternative name and meaning of the holiday
December 19 is popularly called St. Nicholas the Winter. The fact is that there are two days dedicated to this saint. One of them is the upcoming holiday, and there is also Nikola Summer. In summer, the birth of Nicholas the Wonderworker is celebrated, and in winter, a holiday dedicated to his memory and heritage is celebrated. There is also a feast of the transfer of relics - May 22.
The saint was born at the end of the 3rd century. credible historical fact is that the saint's parents were rich. They did charity work. Nikolai began to devote himself to faith in God from early childhood. As an adult, he rose to the rank of archbishop. He wholeheartedly helped people, trying to be an example for them in everything. With his prayers, he saved people from starvation, but this is not the only miracle that people have heard about.
The goal of Nicholas was the equality of people before God, and not before the law. He sacrificed himself and his position so that condemned people could gain freedom. He prayed for everyone, for which he was nicknamed Nikolai Ugodnik. This man became an example for all Christians. His life was devoted to serving God, so the meaning of the holiday is extremely simple - to honor the memory of this great man. He was not born a saint, but was recognized by him after his death, because he, like no one else, believed in his prayers and in their incredible power.
In the middle of the 4th century, Nikolai Ugodnik died a natural death at a ripe old age. At first, his relics were kept in the city of Mira. His relics had healing properties. Many people were healed of their ailments after the death of Nicholas. Later, after 600 years, his relics were transported to another place, on which a temple was built.
The meaning of the holiday of St. Nicholas the Winter is to remember all the great deeds of St. Nicholas the Pleasant, the strength of his prayers and the desire to help everyone without exception. This holiday is needed in order to understand that every person needs forgiveness. That is why in the past people often asked for forgiveness from loved ones for all the bad things they did to them. On December 19, you need to remember the true purpose of religion - its desire to teach a person to forgive, to be more spiritually perfect.
Prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker December 19
Here is one of the simplest and most effective prayers Saint Nicholas the Pleasant:
“The Great Wonderworker, Saint of Christ, our father Nicholas. We pray you to give hope to all Christians, to protect those who carry the light of God on their shoulders, to help feed and drink the hungry, to cheer the weeping, to cure the sick. You— patron of the sea and mentor of sailors, nourisher of the wretched and sick, and quick helper to all of us. Pray to God for us sinners. Amen".
This is a simple prayer that can be read every day. Ask Nicholas the Wonderworker so that your deeds receive meaning, spiritual recognition. They pray to Nikolai Ugodnik not only on this day - December 19, but also whenever you need support. When you drop your hands, it marks the beginning of prayer time. Start the day with prayers to Nicholas the Wonderworker, so that he asks God for your speedy recovery and return to the true path.
In 2017, the traditions of the holiday will not change. People will go to church to light a candle to the great saint who knew no fear and was not afraid to protect those who needed it. He always did what God required. This is one of the few saints of that time who died a natural death.
On this day, you can give an icon of the saint to your loved one or your parents. Nicholas advocated the veneration of wiser people, because he himself was a son for his mother and father, and obedient. He followed their orders and requests, but at the same time he was able to find the strength in himself to show himself from the other side, to convince his parents to allow him to follow the spiritual path. The parents wanted Nicholas the Wonderworker, their son, to live a worldly life, but they great wisdom accepted his choice, for which they were rewarded.
Good luck finishing this year. May this holiday be a bright time for you, the beginning of something very pleasant. Do not stop your spiritual search, the search for motivation and the meaning of life. There is nothing better than the bright memory of those who left for a reason and left their mark on history indelibly and unforgettable. Good luck and don't forget to press the buttons and
18.12.2017 07:18
The main mission of parents is to help the child become happy. In difficult times, turn to the help of the Lord, ...
Tags: Religion, Orthodoxy
When is the memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker celebrated?
Saint Nicholas in the Orthodox church calendar dedicated to more than one holiday. December 19, according to the new style, the day of the death of the saint is remembered, August 11 - his birth. The people called these two holidays Nikola Winter and Nikola Autumn. On May 22, believers commemorate the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker from Mir Lycian to Bari, which took place in 1087. In Rus', this day was called Nikola Veshny (that is, spring), or Nikola Summer.
All these holidays are non-transitory, that is, their dates are fixed.
What helps Nicholas the Wonderworker
Saint Nicholas is called a miracle worker. Such saints are especially revered for the miracles that occur through prayers to them. Since ancient times, Nicholas the Wonderworker was revered as an ambulance to sailors and other travelers, merchants, unjustly convicted and children. In Western folk Christianity, his image was combined with the image of a folk character - "Christmas grandfather" - and transformed into Santa Claus (Santa Claus in English - St. Nicholas). Santa Claus gives gifts to children for Christmas.
Life (biography) of Nicholas the Wonderworker
Nicholas the Pleasant was born in 270 in the town of Patara, which was located in the region of Lycia in Asia Minor and was a Greek colony. The parents of the future archbishop were very wealthy people, but at the same time they believed in Christ and actively helped the poor.
As the life says, from childhood the saint devoted himself completely to faith, spent a lot of time in the temple. Having matured, he became a reader, and then a priest in the church, where his uncle, Bishop Nicholas of Patara, served as rector.
After the death of his parents, Nicholas the Wonderworker distributed all his inheritance to the poor and continued his church ministry. In the years when the attitude of the Roman emperors towards Christians became more tolerant, but persecution nevertheless continued, he ascended to the episcopal throne in Mir. Now this town is called Demre, it is located in the province of Antalya in Turkey.
People loved the new archbishop very much: he was kind, meek, fair, sympathetic - not a single request to him remained unanswered. With all this, Nicholas was remembered by contemporaries as an irreconcilable fighter against paganism - he destroyed idols and temples, and a defender of Christianity - denounced heretics.
Even during his lifetime, the saint became famous for many miracles. He saved the city of Mira from a terrible famine - with his fervent prayer to Christ. He prayed and thereby helped the drowning sailors on ships, led the unjustly condemned from imprisonment in prisons.
Nicholas the Pleasant lived to a ripe old age and died around 345-351 - the exact date is unknown.
Relics of Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker reposed in the Lord in 345-351 - the exact date is unknown. His relics were incorruptible. At first they rested in the cathedral church of the city of Lycian Myra, where he served as archbishop. They streamed myrrh, and the myrrh healed believers from various ailments.
In 1087, part of the relics of the saint was transferred to the Italian city of Bari, to the church of St. Stephen. A year after the relics were saved, a basilica was erected there in the name of St. Nicholas. Now everyone can pray at the relics of the saint - the ark with them is still kept in this basilica. A few years later, the rest of the relics were transported to Venice, and a small particle remained in Mira.
In honor of the transfer of the relics of Nikolai Ugodnik, a special holiday was established, which in Russian Orthodox Church May 22 is celebrated in a new style.
Veneration of St. Nicholas in Rus'
Russian people began to revere Nicholas the Wonderworker shortly after the Baptism of Rus'. The first icons of the saint appeared in our country no later than the middle of the 11th century - these are, for example, the frescoes of Hagia Sophia in Kyiv.
Many temples and monasteries are dedicated to Nikolai Ugodnik in Rus'. In his name, the holy Patriarch Photius baptized in 866 the Kyiv prince Askold, the very first Russian Christian prince. Above the grave of Askold in Kyiv, Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga built the first church of St. Nicholas on Russian soil.
In many Russian cities, the main cathedrals were named after the archbishop of Mir Lycian. Veliky Novgorod, Zaraysk, Kyiv, Smolensk, Pskov, Galich, Arkhangelsk, Tobolsk and many others. In the Moscow province, three Nikolsky monasteries were built - Nikolo-Greek (Old) - in Kitay-gorod, Nikolo-Perervinsky and Nikolo-Ugreshsky. In addition, one of the main towers of the Moscow Kremlin was named Nikolskaya.
Iconography of Saint Nicholas
The iconography of St. Nicholas took shape in X-XI centuries. At the same time, the oldest icon, namely the fresco in the church of Santa Maria Antiqua in Rome, dates back to the 8th century.
There are two main iconographic types of St. Nicholas - full-length and waist. One of the classic examples of a full-length icon is a fresco from the St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv, painted at the beginning of the 12th century. It is now stored in Tretyakov Gallery. In this fresco, the saint is depicted full-length, with a blessing right hand and an open Gospel in his left hand.
Icons of the belt iconographic type depict the saint with a closed Gospel on his left hand. The oldest icon of this type in the monastery of St. Catherine in Sinai dates back to the 11th century. In Rus', the earliest surviving similar image dates back to the end of the 12th century. Ivan the Terrible brought it from Novgorod the Great and placed it in the Smolensk Cathedral of the Novodevichy Convent. Now this icon can be seen in the Tretyakov Gallery.
Icon painters also created hagiographic icons of St. Nicholas, that is, depicting different scenes from the life of the saint - sometimes up to twenty different plots. The most ancient of these icons in Rus' are Novgorod from the churchyard of Lyubon (XIV century) and Kolomna (now kept in the Tretyakov Gallery).
Troparion to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker
voice 4
The rule of faith and the image of meekness, the abstinence of the teacher reveal the truth to your flock of things: for this sake you acquired high humility, rich in poverty. Father Hierarch Nicholas, pray to Christ God that our souls be saved.
Translation:
By the rule of faith, by the example of meekness, temperance, the teacher has shown you your life to your flock. And therefore, with humility, you acquired greatness, poverty - wealth: Father Hierarch Nicholas, pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.
Kontakion to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker
voice 3
In Mirech, holy, the clergyman appeared to you: Christ, reverend, having fulfilled the Gospel, lay down your soul about your people, and saved the innocent from death; for this sake you were sanctified, like a great secret place of God's grace.
Translation:
In the Worlds, you, saint, appeared as a performer of sacred rites: gospel teaching Having fulfilled Christ, you, reverend, laid down your soul for your people and delivered the innocent from death. Therefore, he was sanctified as a great minister of the mysteries of God's grace.
First prayer to Nikolai Ugodnik
Oh, all-holy Nicholas, the most beautiful servant of the Lord, our warm intercessor, and everywhere in sorrow a quick helper!
Help me a sinner and despondent in this present life, beg the Lord God to grant me the remission of all my sins, having sinned from my youth, in all my life, deed, word, thought and all my feelings; and at the end of my soul, help me the accursed, implore the Lord God, all creatures of the Sodetel, to deliver me from air ordeals and eternal torment: may I always glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and your merciful intercession, now and ever and forever and ever.
Second prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
O all-praised, great wonderworker, Saint of Christ, Father Nicholas!
We pray to you, wake up the hope of all Christians, faithful protectors, hungry feeders, crying joy, sick doctors, floating rulers on the sea, feeders of the poor and orphans and an early helper and patron to everyone, let us live a peaceful life here and let us be able to see the glory of God's chosen ones in heaven, and with them unceasingly sing of the one in the Trinity, the worshiped God forever and ever. Amen.
Third Prayer to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker
O all-praised and all-pious bishop, the great Wonderworker, the Hierarch of Christ, Father Nicholas, a man of God and a faithful servant, a husband of desires, a chosen vessel, a strong church pillar, a bright lamp, a shining star and illuminating the entire universe: you are a righteous man, like a date blossomed, planted in the courtyards of your Lord, living in the Worlds, blessed with peace you roared, and exuding the ever-flowing peace of the grace of God.
By your procession, Holy Father, the sea is illuminated, when your miraculous relics go to the city of Barsky, from east to west, praise the name of the Lord.
O graceful and marvelous Wonderworker, quick helper, warm intercessor, kind shepherd, saving the verbal flock from all sorts of troubles, we glorify you and magnify you, as the hope of all Christians, the source of miracles, the protector of the faithful, the wise teacher, the hungry feeder, weeping joy, naked robes, the sick doctor, the steward floating on the sea, the captives of the liberator, the widows and orphans of the feeder and an intercessor, a guardian of chastity, babies a meek punisher, old fortifications, fasting mentor, laboring intoxication, the poor and the wretched abundant wealth.
Hear us praying to you and fleeing under your roof, manifest your intercession for us to the Most High, and proceed with your God-pleasing prayers, all that is useful for the salvation of our souls and bodies: save this holy monastery (or this temple), every city and all, and every Christian country, and people living from every anger with your help:
Vemy bo, vemy, how much can the prayer of the righteous hastening for good: to you the righteous, according to the blessed Virgin Mary, the intercessor to the All-Merciful God of the imam, and to your good father, warm intercession and intercession humbly flow: you keep us as a cheerful and good shepherd, from all enemies, destruction, cowardice, hail, gladness, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners, and in all our troubles and sorrows, give us a helping hand, and open the doors of God's mercy, because we are not worthy to see the heights of heaven, from the multitude of our iniquities, we are bound by the bonds of sin, and we will not save the will of our Creator, nor save his commands.
In the same way, we bow our knees, contrite and humble of our hearts to our Creator, and we ask for your paternal intercession to Him:
Help us, the Pleasant of God, let us not perish with our iniquities, deliver us from all evil, and from all things resisting, direct our mind and strengthen our heart in the right faith, in it with your intercession and intercession, neither by wounds, nor banning, nor pestilence, nor any wrath, will give me to live in this age, and save me from standing, and vouchsafe the gum with all the saints . Amen.
Fourth Prayer to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker
O our good shepherd and God-wise mentor, St. Nicholas of Christ! Hear us sinners, praying to you and calling for your help, your speedy intercession; see us weak, caught from everywhere, deprived of every good and darkened by the mind from cowardice; rush, servant of God, do not leave us in the sinful captivity of being, let us not be our enemy in joy and die in our evil deeds.
Pray for us unworthy of our Sovereign and Lord, but you stand before him with incorporeal faces: be merciful to us, create our God in this life and in the future, may he not reward us according to our deeds and according to the impurity of our hearts, but according to his goodness will reward us.
We rely on your intercession, we boast of your intercession, we call on your intercession for help, and to holy image falling down to yours, we ask for help: deliver us, saint of Christ, from the evils that are upon us, and tame the waves of passions and misfortunes that rise against us, so that for the sake of your holy prayers we will not be attacked and we will not be mired in the abyss of sin and in the mud of our passions. Moth, to St. Nicholas of Christ, Christ our God, give us a peaceful life and the remission of sins, but salvation and great mercy to our souls, now and ever and forever and ever.
Prayer 5 to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker
O great intercessor, the bishop of God, blessed Nicholas, who shines miracles like a sunflower, who calls upon you as a quick hearer, you always anticipate and save, and deliver, and take away all kinds of troubles, from God given to you miracles and gifts of grace!
Hear me unworthy, calling you with faith and bringing prayer to you singing; I offer you an intercessor for supplication to Christ.
O notorious in miracles, high saint! as if you have boldness, soon stand before the Lord, and reverence your hands in prayer to Him, stretch out for me a sinner, and from Him give bounties of goodness, and accept me in your intercession, and deliver me from all troubles and evils, freeing me from the invasion of enemies visible and invisible, and destroying all those slander and malice, and reflecting those who fight me in my whole life; ask for forgiveness by my sin, and present me to Christ and save the Kingdom of Heaven for the multitude of that philanthropy, he deserves all glory, honor and worship, with his Father without beginning, and with the Most Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever and forever and ever.
Sixth Prayer to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker
Oh, the all-good Father Nicholas, the shepherd and teacher of all who by faith flow to your intercession, and who call you with warm prayer, soon rush, and deliver Christ's flock from the wolves that destroy it, that is, from the invasion of the wicked Latins rising up against us.
Protect and save our country, and every country that exists in Orthodoxy, with your holy prayers from worldly rebellion, the sword, the invasion of foreigners, from internecine and bloody warfare.
And as if you had mercy on three men sitting in prison, and delivered them from the tsar’s wrath and the cutting of the sword, so have mercy and deliver the Great, Small and White Rus' Orthodox people from the pernicious heresy of the Latins.
As if by your intercession and help, by His own mercy and grace, Christ God, may He look with His merciful eye on people in the ignorance of existence, even though they don’t know their right hands, even more young, with which Latin seductions are spoken in a hedgehog to turn away from the Orthodox faith, but enlighten the minds of His people, but they will not be tempted and fall away from the faith of the fathers cue, conscience, lulled by vain sophistication and ignorance, may it awaken, turn its will to the preservation of the holy Orthodox faith, may it remember the faith and humility of our fathers, who laid down their lives for the Orthodox faith, accepting the prayers of the warmth of His holy saints, who shone in our land, keeping us from the charms and heresy of Latin, but keeping us holy He will vouchsafe us in the terrible Judgment of His right hand standing with all the saints. Amen.
What can you eat on the day of memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
December 19, according to the new style, falls on the Christmas, or Filippov, as it is also called, post. On this day, you can eat fish, but you can not eat meat, eggs and other animal products.
Miracles of Saint Nicholas
Nicholas the Wonderworker is considered the patron, intercessor and prayer book for sailors and, in general, for everyone who travels. For example, as the life of the saint says, in his youth, traveling from Myra to Alexandria, he resurrected a sailor who, during a fierce storm, fell off the mast of the ship and, falling on the deck, crashed to death.
Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh. The word delivered at the vigil on the feast of St. Nicholas, December 18, 1973, in the church named after him in Kuznetsy (Moscow)
Today we celebrate the day of the death of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. What a strange combination of words this is: a holiday about death ... Usually, when death overtakes someone, we yearn and cry about it; and when the saint dies, we rejoice about it. How is this possible?
This is possible only because when a sinner dies, those who remain have a heavy feeling in their hearts that the time has come for parting, even if only temporarily. No matter how strong our faith is, no matter how hope inspires us, no matter how sure we are that the God of love will never finally separate from each other those who love each other with even imperfect, earthly love, still there remains sadness and longing that for many years we will not see the face, the expression of the eyes shining on us with caress, we will not touch dear person with a reverent hand, we will not hear his voice, bringing his caress and love to our hearts ...
But our attitude to the saint is not exactly like that. Even those who were contemporary with the saints, already during their lifetime, managed to realize that, living in the fullness of heavenly life, the saint did not separate from the earth during his lifetime, and that when he rests in his body, he will still remain in this mystery of the Church, uniting the living and the dead into one body, into one spirit, into one eternal, Divine mystery, conquering all lives.
Dying, the saints could say, as Paul said: I fought a good fight, I kept the faith; now an eternal reward is being prepared for me, now I myself become a sacrifice...
And this consciousness is not the head, but the consciousness of the heart, the living feeling of the heart that the saint cannot be separated from us (just as the risen Christ, who has become invisible to us, is not separated from us, just as God invisible to us is not absent), this consciousness allows us to rejoice on the day when, as the ancient Christians said, a person was born in eternal life. He did not die, but was born, entered into eternity, into the whole expanse, into the fullness of life. He is in anticipation of a new victory of life, which we all look forward to: the resurrection of the dead on the last day, when all the barriers of separation will already fall, and when we will rejoice not only about the victory of eternity, but that God has restored the temporal to life - but in glory, a new shining glory.
One of the ancient fathers of the Church, Saint Irenaeus of Lyon, says: the glory of God is a man who has become a Man to the end ... Saints are such a glory to God; looking at them, we are amazed at what God can do to a person.
And so, we rejoice on the day of the death of the one who on earth was a heavenly person, and having entered eternity, became our intercessor and prayer book, not leaving us, remaining not only the same close, becoming even closer, because we become close to each other as we become close, dear, our own to the Living God, the God of love. Our joy today is so deep! The Lord on earth shook, like a ripe ear, St. Nicholas. Now he triumphs with God, in heaven; and just as he loved the earth and people, knew how to pity, compassion, knew how to surround everyone and meet everyone with amazing, tender, thoughtful care, so now he prays for us all, caringly, thoughtfully.
When you read his life, you are amazed that he cared not only about the spiritual; he cared for every human need, the humblest human need. He knew how to rejoice with those who rejoice, he knew how to cry with those who weep, he knew how to console and support those who needed comfort and support. And this is why the people, the Myrlikian flock, fell in love with him so much, and why the entire Christian people honors him so much: there is nothing too insignificant that he would not pay attention to with his creative love. There is nothing on earth that would seem unworthy of his prayers and unworthy of his labors: illness, and the poor, and deprivation, and disgrace, and fear, and sin, and joy, and hope, and love - everything found a lively response in his deep human heart. And he left us the image of a man who is a radiance God's beauty, he left us in himself, as it were, a living, acting icon of a genuine person.
But he left it to us not only so that we rejoice, admire, be amazed; he left us his image so that we could learn from him how to live, what kind of love to love, how to forget ourselves and remember fearlessly, sacrificially, joyfully every need of another person.
He left us an image of how to die, how to mature, how to stand before God at the last hour, giving His soul joyfully, as if returning to Father's house. When I was a young man, my father once told me: during your life, learn to expect death in the same way as a young man tremblingly awaits the arrival of his bride... This is how Saint Nicholas waited for the hour of death, when the gates of death will open, when all bonds will fall, when his soul will fly free, when it will be given to him to behold the God whom he worshiped with faith and love. So it is given to us to wait - to wait creatively, not to wait numbly, in fear of death, but to wait with joy for that time, that meeting with God, which will make us akin not only to our Living God, to Christ who became a man, but also to every person, because only in God we become one ...
The Fathers of the Church call us to live in fear of death. From century to century we hear these words, and from century to century we misunderstand them. How many people live in fear that death is about to come, and after death - judgment, and after judgment - what? Unknown. Hell? Forgiveness?.. But the fathers did not speak about this mortal fear. The Fathers said that if we remembered that in a moment we might die, how we would hasten to do all the good that we can still do! If we thought constantly, tremblingly that the person standing next to us, to whom we can now do good or evil, might die - how we would hasten to take care of him! There would then be no need, either great or small, that would exceed our ability to devote life to a person who is about to die.
I have already said something about my father; I'm sorry - I'll tell you one more personal. My mother has been dying for three years; she knew it because I told her. And when death entered our life, it transformed life by the fact that every moment, every word, every action - because it could be the last - had to be a perfect expression of all the love, all the affection, all the reverence that was between us. And for three years there was no trifle and no big things, but only the triumph of tremulous, reverent love, where everything merged into greatness, because in one word you can enclose all love, and in one movement you can express all love; and it should be like this.
The Saints understood this not only in relation to one person, whom they loved especially tenderly and for some small years, for which they had the spirit. The saints knew how to live like this throughout their whole lives, from day to day, from hour to hour, in relation to each person, because in each they saw the image of God, a living icon, but - God! - sometimes such a defiled, such a mutilated icon, which they contemplated with special pain and with special love, as we would contemplate an icon trampled into the mud before our eyes. And each of us, with our sin, tramples into the mud the image of God in ourselves.
Think about it. Think how glorious, how marvelous death can be if we only live life like saints. They are people like us, differing from us only in courage and burning spirit. If only we could live like them! And how rich the memory of death could be for us if, instead of being called, in our language, the fear of death, it were a constant reminder that every moment is and can become a door to eternal life. Every moment, filled with all love, all humility, all delight and strength of the soul, can open time to eternity and make our earth already a place where paradise is revealed, a place where God lives, a place where we are united in love, a place where everything bad, dead, dark, dirty is defeated, transfigured, became light, became purity, became Divine.
May the Lord grant us to ponder these images of the saints, and not to each other, not even to ask ourselves what to do, but to turn directly to them, to these saints, of whom some were at first thieves, sinners, terrible people for others, but who managed to perceive God with the greatness of the soul and grow up to the measure of the age of Christ. Let's ask them... What happened to you, Father Nicholas? What did you do, how did you reveal yourself to the power of Divine love and grace?.. And he will answer us; with his life and his prayer he will make possible for us what seems impossible to us, because the power of God is made perfect in weakness, and everything is available to us, everything is possible for us in the Lord Jesus Christ who strengthens us.
Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh. About the calling of a Christian.
Word pronounced at the liturgy on the day of memory of St. Nicholas on December 19, 1973, in the church named after him in Kuznetsy (Moscow)
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
I congratulate you on the occasion!
When we celebrate the day of such a saint as Nicholas the Wonderworker, whom not only the Russian heart, but universal Orthodoxy perceived as one of the most perfect images of the priesthood, we become especially reverent and serve Divine Liturgy and stand before her; because before he became a companion of the apostles, Saint Nicholas was a genuine, true layman. The Lord Himself revealed that it was he who should have been made a priest - for the purity of his life, for the feat of his love, for his love for worship and the temple, for the purity of his faith, for his meekness and humility.
All this was in him not a word, but it was flesh. In the troparion we sing to him that he was the rule of faith, the image of meekness, the teacher of temperance; all this appeared to his flock by the very deed, the radiance of his life, and not just a verbal sermon. And so he was still a layman. And by such a feat, such love, such purity, such meekness, he acquired for himself the highest calling of the Church - to be appointed bishop, bishop of his city; to be before the eyes of the believing people (which itself is the body of Christ, the seat of the Holy Spirit, the divine lot), among the Orthodox people to stand like a living icon; so that, looking at him, in his eyes to see the light of Christ's love, to see in his actions, to experience Christ's divine mercy with his own eyes.
We are all called to follow the same path. There are no two ways for a person: there is a way of holiness; the other way is the way of renunciation of one's Christian calling. Not everyone reaches the height that is revealed to us in the saints; but we are all called to be so pure in our heart, in our mind, in our life, in our flesh, that we may be, as it were, the incarnate presence in the world, from century to century, from millennium to millennium, of Christ Himself.
We are called to be so completely, so completely given to God that each of us becomes like a temple where the Holy Spirit lives and acts - both in us and through us.
We are called to be daughters and sons of our Heavenly Father; but not only allegorically, not only because He treats us as a father treats children. In Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are called to truly become His children, like Christ, partaking of His sonship, receiving the Spirit of sonship, the Spirit of God, so that our life may be hid with Christ in God.
This we cannot achieve without difficulty. The Fathers of the Church tell us: shed blood and you will receive the Spirit... We cannot ask God to dwell in us when we ourselves are not working to prepare a holy, purified, consecrated temple for Him. We cannot call Him into the depths of our sin again and again if we do not have a firm, fiery intention, if we are not ready when He descends to us, when He seeks us like a lost sheep, and wants to carry us back to our father's house, to be taken and carried away forever in His Divine arms.
To be a Christian is to be an ascetic; to be a Christian is to struggle to overcome everything in oneself that is death, sin, unrighteousness, impurity; in a word - to overcome, to overcome everything because of which Christ was crucified, killed on the Cross. Human sin killed him - mine, and yours, and our common; and if we do not overcome and do not get rid of sin, then we partake either of those who, through negligence, coldness, indifference, frivolity, gave Christ to be crucified, or those who maliciously wanted to destroy Him, wipe Him off the face of the earth, because His appearance, His preaching, His personality were their condemnation.
To be a Christian is to be an ascetic; and yet it is impossible for us to save ourselves. Our calling is so high, so great, that a person cannot fulfill it on his own. I have already said that we are called to be, as it were, grafted into the humanity of Christ, as a twig is grafted into a life-giving tree — so that the life of Christ would spring up in us, so that we would be His body, so that we would be His presence, so that our word would be His word, our love would be His love, and our action would be His action.
I said that we must become a temple of the Holy Spirit, but more than a physical temple. The material temple contains the presence of God, but is not permeated by it; and man is called to unite with God in such a way as, according to the word of St. Maximus the Confessor, fire pierces, penetrates iron, becomes one with it, and it is possible (says Maximus) to cut with fire and burn with iron, because it is no longer possible to distinguish where the burning is and where the fuel is, where the man is and where God is.
This we cannot achieve. We cannot become sons and daughters of God just because we ourselves want it or we ask and pray for it; we must be accepted by the Father, adopted, we must become, in the love of God for Christ, what Christ is to the Father: sons, daughters. How can we achieve this? The Gospel gives us the answer. Peter asks: Who can be saved? And Christ answers: What is impossible for man is possible for God...
Through deeds we can open our hearts; protect your mind and soul from impurity; we can direct our actions so that they are worthy of our calling and our God; we can keep our flesh pure for the communion of the Body and Blood of Christ; we can open ourselves to God and say: Come and dwell in us... And we can know that if we ask this with a sincere heart, we want it, then God, Who wants us to be saved more than we know how to want it for ourselves, will give it to us. He Himself tells us in the Gospel: If you, being evil, know how good gifts give to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him...
Therefore, let us be with all the strength of our human weakness, with all the burning of our dim spirit, with all the hope of our heart yearning for fullness, with all our faith that cries out to God: Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief!, with all the hunger, with all the thirst of our soul and body, let us ask God that He come. But at the same time, with all the strength of our soul, with all the strength of our body, let us prepare for Him a temple worthy of His coming: cleansed, dedicated to Him, guarded from all unrighteousness, malice and impurity. And then the Lord will come; and will celebrate, as He promised us, with the Father and the Spirit, the Last Supper in our hearts, in our lives, in our temple, in our society, and the Lord will reign forever, our God to generation and generation.
Santa Claus
In Western Christianity, the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was combined with the image of a folklore character - "Christmas grandfather" - and transformed into Santa Claus (Santa Claus in English - St. Nicholas). Santa Claus gives gifts to children on St. Nicholas Day, but more often on Christmas Day.
At the origins of the tradition of giving gifts on behalf of Santa Claus is the story of a miracle performed by Nikolai Ugodnik. As the life of the saint says, he saved the family of a poor man who lived in Patara from sin.
The poor man had three lovely daughters, and the need made him think terrible - he wanted to send the girls into prostitution. local archbishop, and they were just served by Nicholas the Wonderworker, received a revelation from the Lord about what his parishioner conceived in despair. And he decided to save his family, and secretly from everyone. One night, he tied a bundle of gold coins that he inherited from his parents, and threw the bag to the poor man through the window. The father of his daughters discovered the gift only in the morning and thought that it was Christ himself who sent him a gift. With these funds, he married good man his eldest daughter.
Saint Nicholas rejoiced that his help had brought good fruit, and in the same way, secretly, he threw a second bag of gold through the window of the poor man. With these funds, he played the wedding of his middle daughter.
The poor man was eager to know who his benefactor was. He did not sleep at night and waited if he would come to help the third daughter? Saint Nicholas was not long in coming. Hearing the ringing of a bundle of coins, the poor man caught up with the archbishop and recognized him as a saint. I fell at his feet and warmly thanked him for saving his family from a terrible sin.
Nikola Winter, Nikola Autumn, Nikola Veshny, "Nikola Wet"
On December 19 and August 11, according to the new style, Orthodox Christians remember, respectively, the death and birth of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. According to the time of the year, these holidays received popular names - Nikola Winter and Nikola Autumn.
Nikola Veshnim (that is, spring), or Nikola Summer, was called the feast of the transfer of the relics of the saint and wonderworker Nicholas from the World of Lycian to Bari, which is celebrated on May 22 according to a new style.
The phrase "Nikola Wet" comes from the fact that this saint in all ages was considered the patron saint of sailors and, in general, of all travelers. When the temple in the name of St. Nicholas the Pleasant was built by sailors (often in gratitude for the miraculous rescue on the waters), the people called it “Nikola Wet”.
Folk traditions of celebrating the day of memory of Nikolai Ugodnik
In Rus', Nicholas the Pleasant was revered as the "senior" among the saints. Nicola was called "merciful"; temples were built in honor of him and children were named - from antiquity and until the beginning of the 20th century, the name Kolya was the most popular among Russian boys.
About Nikola Zimniy (December 19), festive meals were arranged in the huts in honor of the holiday - they baked pies with fish, brewed mash and beer. The holiday was considered "old man's", the most respected people of the village gathered together a rich table and had long conversations. And the youth indulged in winter entertainment - sledding, led round dances, sang songs, prepared for Christmas gatherings.
On Nikola Summer, or Spring (May 22), the peasants arranged religious processions- with icons and banners they went to the fields, performed prayers at the wells - they asked for rain.
Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of the World of Lycia, became famous as a great saint of God. You will learn everything about this revered saint from this article!
What holiday is today: on May 22, 2019, the church holiday of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is celebrated
Today, May 22, is the Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The night before, a particle of the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker was delivered to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow from Bari, Italy.
On May 22, 2019, St. Nicholas is venerated by the people. According to folk calendar, in the year there are two holidays dedicated to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker - Winter Nikola on December 19 and Spring (summer) Nikola - May 22.
Nicholas the Wonderworker is also revered in the West, and in Russia even people far from the Church know Nicholas the Pleasant as the most revered saint by the Russian people. In addition to the special holidays dedicated to him, the Church celebrates the memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker every Thursday. St. Nicholas is often commemorated at divine services and on other days of the week.
Nicholas the Wonderworker: what helps
Saint Nicholas is especially revered for the miracles that occur through prayers to them. Nicholas the Wonderworker was revered as an ambulance to sailors and other travelers, merchants, unjustly convicted and children.
Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker May 22: veneration in Rus'
Many temples and monasteries are dedicated to Nicholas the Pleasant in Rus', in honor of his name, the holy Patriarch Photius baptized in 866 the Kiev prince Askold - the very first Russian Christian prince, and over the grave of Askold in Kiev, the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga built the first church of St. Nicholas on Russian soil.
folk traditions
In Rus', Nicholas the Pleasant was considered the "senior" among the saints. He was called "merciful", temples were built in honor of him and children were named.
On St. Nicholas of the Winter, people arranged festive meals - they baked pies with fish, brewed mash and beer, and on St. Nicholas of the Summer, or Spring, the peasants arranged religious processions - they went to the fields with icons and banners, performed prayers at the wells - asked for rain.
Who is patronized by an amazing and famous saint?
Nicholas the Wonderworker is recognized as the patron saint of children, and in Europe he is even called the prototype of Santa Claus. He is also favorable to travelers, all sailors, merchants and those who need a real miracle for healing.
Why is Saint Nicholas called the Pleasant?
The saint received such a name for his pleasing service to God. Nicholas the Pleasant prayed with such strength and faith that even after his death, his relics remained untouched by decay. They streamed myrrh, and hundreds of believers were healed from this grace.
How to celebrate May 22?
May 22 - St. Nicholas Day - the Wonderworker is glorified and honored in the most different churches and parishes. Believers on this holiday try to give up meat and eggs, laying tables with fish dishes.
Earlier, when agriculture was more developed, Christians organized mass processions with strings of icons and images on St. Nicholas of Veshny. Believers participated in the prayer service, asking for mercy and rain. Usually, religious processions ended in the fields or near water wells. It was believed that the merciful Nikolai could help in the fight against drought and bad weather.
Today, on this day, you can visit the temple, where a service will definitely be held. You can also pray at home, asking Nikolai Ugodnik for help in any business.
In the evening, you need to gather the whole family at the festive table and spend a common thanksgiving prayer saint for his intercession. This Christian celebration is not associated with tragic events, so you can celebrate easily and cheerfully.
On the day of the memory of Nikola Veshny, it’s worth doing nothing for yourself personally. Since the saint gave everything to people, then believers on such a day should give something to charity, give alms or money to build a church. Help is welcome for orphans and orphanages, as well as for poor families.
St Nicholas of Summer Day is one of the most revered christian church holidays. The celebration is timed to coincide with the day of the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas to the city of Bari, located in Italy. In Orthodoxy, Nicholas the Wonderworker is considered the patron of children, couples in love, soldiers, merchants, merchants. In addition, the Saint is also the protector of people who have been undeservedly punished.
The legend of the holiday
Saint Nicholas is celebrated on May 22 and December 19. It is customary to give gifts to each other on Nikola Zimniy. And during the spring celebration, you can limit yourself to beautiful greeting cards and verbal wishes for happiness, kindness and peace.
Saint Nicholas is revered by all Christians. He is very often remembered during daily services and is given a special place in the Christian hierarchy of saints.
There is a legend that when one peasant got stuck with his cart in the mud, he asked Saint Kasyan, who was passing by, for help. (37.112.220.246) . But he refused, referring to the fact that he was in a hurry to the Lord. When St. Nicholas passed next to the peasant, he helped him pull the cart out of the ditch and appeared to the Lord covered in mud. There, the saint was asked why he got so dirty and delayed, to which he replied that he helped the person, according to information at 23:05:17. Since then, Nicholas the Pleasant has been praised twice a year, and the Christian Saint Kasyan once every four years.
ABOUT winter holiday dedicated to Nikolai Ugodnik also has its own legend. Even during his lifetime, the saint learned that in his city there was a poor man who had decided on a terrible sin. To get out of poverty and marry two daughters, a man decided to send a third girl to a brothel. Then Nicholas the Wonderworker made his way to the poor man's house at night and threw him a bag of gold. The poor man could not believe his luck and married off his eldest daughter. Then Nikolai Ugodnik made his way into the poor man's house with a bag of gold for the second time, and the man played a wedding for his middle daughter. The poor man was wondering who his benefactor was? Therefore, for the third time, he tracked down the bishop and rushed after him to thank him for his unprecedented generosity. And then he also married his third daughter, Ros-Register became aware. Since then, on December 19, the custom of giving gifts and small souvenirs has been fixed, which are secretly placed at night near the fireplace or Christmas tree.
During his earthly years, this saint performed many incredible miracles and accomplished a huge number of good deeds. He did not refuse to help either believers or pagans, prompting repentance in them and instructing them on the true path.
Believers know that May 22 is St. Nicholas Day. They gladly go to the service, remembering the intercession of the archbishop. And they believe that even after death, the saint protects them from heaven, gives them protection and hope for the healing of ailments. An amazing person and a saint popular among the people is equally known both in Russia and abroad. Many temples and churches were erected in his honor. He is known not only by Christians, but also by people of other faiths. The saint is remembered and glorified in their prayers by all believers in Orthodoxy and Catholics.
When is the memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker celebrated?
Saint Nicholas in the Orthodox church calendar is dedicated to more than one holiday. December 19, according to the new style, the day of the death of the saint is remembered, August 11 - his birth. The people called these two holidays Nikola Winter and Nikola Autumn. On May 22, believers commemorate the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker from Mir Lycian to Bari, which took place in 1087. In Rus', this day was called Nikola Veshny (that is, spring), or Nikola Summer.
All these holidays are non-transitory, that is, their dates are fixed.
What helps Nicholas the Wonderworker
Saint Nicholas is called a miracle worker. Such saints are especially revered for the miracles that occur through prayers to them. Since ancient times, Nicholas the Wonderworker was revered as an ambulance to sailors and other travelers, merchants, unjustly convicted and children. In Western folk Christianity, his image was combined with the image of a folklore character - "Christmas grandfather" - and transformed into Santa Claus ( santa claus translated from English. - St Nicholas). Santa Claus gives gifts to children for Christmas.
Life (biography) of Nicholas the Wonderworker
Nicholas the Pleasant was born in 270 in the town of Patara, which was located in the region of Lycia in Asia Minor and was a Greek colony. The parents of the future archbishop were very wealthy people, but at the same time they believed in Christ and actively helped the poor.
As the life says, from childhood the saint devoted himself completely to faith, spent a lot of time in the temple. Having matured, he became a reader, and then a priest in the church, where his uncle, Bishop Nicholas of Patara, served as rector.
After the death of his parents, Nicholas the Wonderworker distributed all his inheritance to the poor and continued his church ministry. In the years when the attitude of the Roman emperors towards Christians became more tolerant, but persecution nevertheless continued, he ascended to the episcopal throne in Mir. Now this town is called Demre, it is located in the province of Antalya in Turkey.
People loved the new archbishop very much: he was kind, meek, fair, sympathetic - not a single request to him remained unanswered. With all this, Nicholas was remembered by his contemporaries as an implacable fighter against paganism - he destroyed idols and temples, and a defender of Christianity - he denounced heretics.
Even during his lifetime, the saint became famous for many miracles. He saved the city of Mira from a terrible famine - with his fervent prayer to Christ. He prayed and thereby helped the drowning sailors on ships, led the unjustly condemned from imprisonment in prisons.
Nicholas the Pleasant lived to a ripe old age and died around 345-351 - the exact date is unknown.
Relics of Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker reposed in the Lord in 345-351 - the exact date is unknown. His relics were incorruptible. At first they rested in the cathedral church of the city of Lycian Myra, where he served as archbishop. They streamed myrrh, and the myrrh healed believers from various ailments.
In 1087, part of the relics of the saint was transferred to the Italian city of Bari, to the church of St. Stephen. A year after the relics were saved, a basilica was erected there in the name of St. Nicholas. Now everyone can pray at the relics of the saint - the ark with them is still kept in this basilica. A few years later, the rest of the relics were transported to Venice, and a small particle remained in Mira.
In honor of the transfer of the relics of Nicholas the Ugodnik, a special holiday was established, which in the Russian Orthodox Church is celebrated on May 22 according to the new style.
Veneration of St. Nicholas in Rus'
Many temples and monasteries are dedicated to Nikolai Ugodnik in Rus'. In his name, the holy Patriarch Photius baptized in 866 the Kyiv prince Askold, the very first Russian Christian prince. Above the grave of Askold in Kyiv, Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga built the first church of St. Nicholas on Russian soil.
In many Russian cities, the main cathedrals were named after the archbishop of Mir Lycian. Veliky Novgorod, Zaraysk, Kyiv, Smolensk, Pskov, Galich, Arkhangelsk, Tobolsk and many others. In the Moscow province, three Nikolsky monasteries were built - Nikolo-Greek (Old) - in Kitay-gorod, Nikolo-Perervinsky and Nikolo-Ugreshsky. In addition, one of the main towers of the Moscow Kremlin was named Nikolskaya.
Iconography of Saint Nicholas
The iconography of St. Nicholas took shape in the 10th-11th centuries. At the same time, the oldest icon, namely the fresco in the church of Santa Maria Antiqua in Rome, dates back to the 8th century.
There are two main iconographic types of St. Nicholas - full-length and half-length. One of the classic examples of a full-length icon is a fresco from the St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv, painted at the beginning of the 12th century. Now it is kept in the Tretyakov Gallery. In this fresco, the saint is depicted full-length, with a blessing right hand and an open Gospel in his left hand.
Icons of the belt iconographic type depict the saint with a closed Gospel on his left hand. The oldest icon of this type in the monastery of St. Catherine in Sinai dates back to the 11th century. In Rus', the earliest surviving similar image dates back to the end of the 12th century. Ivan the Terrible brought it from Novgorod the Great and placed it in the Smolensk Cathedral of the Novodevichy Convent. Now this icon can be seen in the Tretyakov Gallery.
Icon painters also created hagiographic icons of St. Nicholas, that is, depicting different scenes from the life of the saint - sometimes up to twenty different plots. The most ancient of these icons in Rus' are the Novgorod one from the Lyubon churchyard (XIV century) and the Kolomna one (now kept in the Tretyakov Gallery).
TroparionSaint Nicholas the Wonderworker
voice 4
The rule of faith and the image of meekness, the abstinence of the teacher reveal the truth to your flock of things: for this sake you acquired high humility, rich in poverty. Father Hierarch Nicholas, pray to Christ God that our souls be saved.
Translation:
By the rule of faith, by the example of meekness, temperance, the teacher has shown you your life to your flock. And therefore, with humility, you acquired greatness, poverty - wealth: Father Hierarch Nicholas, pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.
Kontakion to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker
voice 3
In Mirech, holy, the clergyman appeared to you: Christ, reverend, having fulfilled the Gospel, lay down your soul about your people, and saved the innocent from death; for this sake you were sanctified, like a great secret place of God's grace.
Translation:
In the Worlds, you, saint, appeared as a performer of sacred rites: having fulfilled the gospel teaching of Christ, you, reverend, laid down your soul for your people and the innocent delivered from death. Therefore, he was sanctified as a great minister of the mysteries of God's grace.
First prayer to Nikolai Ugodnik
Oh, all-holy Nicholas, the most beautiful servant of the Lord, our warm intercessor, and everywhere in sorrow a quick helper!
Help me a sinner and despondent in this present life, beg the Lord God to grant me the remission of all my sins, having sinned from my youth, in all my life, deed, word, thought and all my feelings; and at the end of my soul, help me the accursed, implore the Lord God, all creatures of the Sodetel, to deliver me from air ordeals and eternal torment: may I always glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and your merciful intercession, now and ever and forever and ever.
Second prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
O all-praised, great wonderworker, Saint of Christ, Father Nicholas!
We pray to you, wake up the hope of all Christians, faithful protectors, hungry feeders, crying joy, sick doctors, floating rulers on the sea, feeders of the poor and orphans and an early helper and patron to everyone, let us live a peaceful life here and let us be able to see the glory of God's chosen ones in heaven, and with them unceasingly sing of the one in the Trinity, the worshiped God forever and ever. Amen.
Third Prayer to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker
O all-praised and all-pious bishop, the great Wonderworker, the Hierarch of Christ, Father Nicholas, a man of God and a faithful servant, a husband of desires, a chosen vessel, a strong church pillar, a bright lamp, a shining star and illuminating the entire universe: you are a righteous man, like a date blossomed, planted in the courtyards of your Lord, living in the Worlds, blessed with peace you roared, and exuding the ever-flowing peace of the grace of God.
By your procession, Holy Father, the sea is illuminated, when your miraculous relics go to the city of Barsky, from east to west, praise the name of the Lord.
O graceful and marvelous Wonderworker, quick helper, warm intercessor, kind shepherd, saving the verbal flock from all sorts of troubles, we glorify you and magnify you, as the hope of all Christians, the source of miracles, the protector of the faithful, the wise teacher, the hungry feeder, weeping joy, naked robes, the sick doctor, the steward floating on the sea, the captives of the liberator, the widows and orphans of the feeder and an intercessor, a guardian of chastity, babies a meek punisher, old fortifications, fasting mentor, laboring intoxication, the poor and the wretched abundant wealth.
Hear us praying to you and fleeing under your roof, manifest your intercession for us to the Most High, and proceed with your God-pleasing prayers, all that is useful for the salvation of our souls and bodies: save this holy monastery (or this temple), every city and all, and every Christian country, and people living from every anger with your help:
Vemy bo, vemy, how much can the prayer of the righteous hastening for good: to you the righteous, according to the blessed Virgin Mary, the intercessor to the All-Merciful God of the imam, and to your good father, warm intercession and intercession humbly flow: you keep us as a cheerful and good shepherd, from all enemies, destruction, cowardice, hail, gladness, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners, and in all our troubles and sorrows, give us a helping hand, and open the doors of God's mercy, because we are not worthy to see the heights of heaven, from the multitude of our iniquities, we are bound by the bonds of sin, and we will not save the will of our Creator, nor save his commands.
In the same way, we bow our knees, contrite and humble of our hearts to our Creator, and we ask for your paternal intercession to Him:
Help us, the Pleasant of God, let us not perish with our iniquities, deliver us from all evil, and from all things resisting, direct our mind and strengthen our heart in the right faith, in it with your intercession and intercession, neither by wounds, nor banning, nor pestilence, nor any wrath, will give me to live in this age, and save me from standing, and vouchsafe the gum with all the saints . Amen.
Fourth Prayer to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker
O our good shepherd and God-wise mentor, St. Nicholas of Christ! Hear us sinners, praying to you and calling for your help, your speedy intercession; see us weak, caught from everywhere, deprived of every good and darkened by the mind from cowardice; rush, servant of God, do not leave us in the sinful captivity of being, let us not be our enemy in joy and die in our evil deeds.
Pray for us unworthy of our Sovereign and Lord, but you stand before him with incorporeal faces: be merciful to us, create our God in this life and in the future, may he not reward us according to our deeds and according to the impurity of our hearts, but according to his goodness will reward us.
We trust in your intercession, we boast of your intercession, we call on your intercession for help, and we fall down to your most holy image, we ask for help: deliver us, saint of Christ, from the evils that are upon us, and tame the waves of passions and troubles that rise up against us, but for the sake of your holy prayers, we will not be attacked and not mired in the abyss of sinfulness and in the mire of our passions. Moth, to St. Nicholas of Christ, Christ our God, give us a peaceful life and the remission of sins, but salvation and great mercy to our souls, now and ever and forever and ever.
Prayer 5 to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker
O great intercessor, the bishop of God, blessed Nicholas, who shines miracles like a sunflower, who calls upon you as a quick hearer, you always anticipate and save, and deliver, and take away all kinds of troubles, from God given to you miracles and gifts of grace!
Hear me unworthy, calling you with faith and bringing prayer to you singing; I offer you an intercessor for supplication to Christ.
O notorious in miracles, high saint! as if you have boldness, soon stand before the Lord, and reverence your hands in prayer to Him, stretch out for me a sinner, and from Him give bounties of goodness, and accept me in your intercession, and deliver me from all troubles and evils, freeing me from the invasion of enemies visible and invisible, and destroying all those slander and malice, and reflecting those who fight me in my whole life; ask for forgiveness by my sin, and present me to Christ and save the Kingdom of Heaven for the multitude of that philanthropy, he deserves all glory, honor and worship, with his Father without beginning, and with the Most Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever and forever and ever.
Sixth Prayer to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker
Oh, the all-good Father Nicholas, the shepherd and teacher of all who by faith flow to your intercession, and who call you with warm prayer, soon rush, and deliver Christ's flock from the wolves that destroy it, that is, from the invasion of the wicked Latins rising up against us.
Protect and save our country, and every country that exists in Orthodoxy, with your holy prayers from worldly rebellion, the sword, the invasion of foreigners, from internecine and bloody warfare.
And as if you had mercy on three men sitting in prison, and delivered them from the tsar’s wrath and the cutting of the sword, so have mercy and deliver the Great, Small and White Rus' Orthodox people from the pernicious heresy of the Latins.
As if by your intercession and help, by His own mercy and grace, Christ God, may He look with His merciful eye on people in the ignorance of existence, even though they don’t know their right hands, even more young, with which Latin seductions are spoken in a hedgehog to turn away from the Orthodox faith, but enlighten the minds of His people, but they will not be tempted and fall away from the faith of the fathers cue, conscience, lulled by vain sophistication and ignorance, may it awaken, turn its will to the preservation of the holy Orthodox faith, may it remember the faith and humility of our fathers, who laid down their lives for the Orthodox faith, accepting the prayers of the warmth of His holy saints, who shone in our land, keeping us from the charms and heresy of Latin, but keeping us holy He will vouchsafe us in the terrible Judgment of His right hand standing with all the saints. Amen.
What can you eat on the day of memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
December 19, according to the new style, falls on the Christmas, or Filippov, as it is also called, post. On this day, you can eat fish, but you can not eat meat, eggs and other animal products.
Miracles of Saint Nicholas
Nicholas the Wonderworker is considered the patron, intercessor and prayer book for sailors and, in general, for everyone who travels. For example, as the life of the saint says, in his youth, traveling from Myra to Alexandria, he resurrected a sailor who, during a fierce storm, fell off the mast of the ship and, falling on the deck, crashed to death.
Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh. Word, uttered at the vigil on the feast of St. Nicholas, December 18, 1973, in the church named after him in Kuznetsy (Moscow)
Today we celebrate the day of the death of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. What a strange combination of words: celebration of death... Usually, when someone is overtaken by death, we yearn and weep for it; and when the saint dies, we rejoice about it. How is this possible?
This is possible only because when a sinner dies, those who remain have a heavy feeling in their hearts that the time has come for parting, even if only temporarily. No matter how strong our faith is, no matter how hope inspires us, no matter how sure we are that the God of love will never finally separate from each other those who love each other with even imperfect, earthly love, still there remains sadness and longing that for many years we will not see the face, the expression of the eyes shining on us with caress, we will not touch a dear person with a reverent hand, we will not hear his voice, bringing his caress to our heart and love...
But our attitude to the saint is not exactly like that. Even those who were contemporary with the saints, already during their lifetime, managed to realize that, living in the fullness of heavenly life, the saint did not separate from the earth during his lifetime, and that when he rests in his body, he will still remain in this mystery of the Church, uniting the living and the dead into one body, into one spirit, into one eternal, Divine mystery, conquering all lives.
As they died, the saints could say, as Paul said: I fought a good feat, I kept the faith; now an eternal reward is being prepared for me, now I myself become a sacrifice...
And this consciousness is not the head, but the consciousness of the heart, a living feeling of the heart that the saint cannot be separated from us (just as the risen Christ, who has become invisible to us, is not separated from us, just as God invisible to us is not absent), this consciousness allows us to rejoice on the day when, as the ancient Christians said, man born into eternal life. He did not die - but was born, entered into eternity, into the whole expanse, into the fullness of life. He is in anticipation of a new victory of life, which we all look forward to: the resurrection of the dead on the last day, when all the barriers of division will already fall, and when we will rejoice not only about the victory of eternity, but that God has restored the temporal to life - but in glory, a new shining glory.
One of the ancient fathers of the Church, Saint Irenaeus of Lyon, says: the glory of God is a man who has become Man... Saints are such a glory to God; looking at them, we are amazed at what God can do to a person.
And behold, we rejoice on the day of the death of the one who was on earth heavenly man, but having entered eternity, he became our intercessor and intercessor, not leaving us, remaining not only the same close, but becoming even closer, because we become close to each other as we become close, dear, our own to the Living God, the God of love. Our joy today is so deep! The Lord on earth shook, like a ripe ear, St. Nicholas. Now he triumphs with God, in heaven; and just as he loved the earth and people, knew how to pity, compassion, knew how to surround everyone and meet everyone with amazing, tender, thoughtful care, so now he prays for us all, caringly, thoughtfully.
When you read his life, you are amazed that he cared not only about the spiritual; he cared for every human need, the humblest human need. He knew how to rejoice with those who rejoice, he knew how to cry with those who weep, he knew how to console and support those who needed comfort and support. And this is why the people, the Myrlikian flock, fell in love with him so much, and why the entire Christian people honors him so much: there is nothing too insignificant that he would not pay attention to with his creative love. There is nothing on earth that would seem unworthy of his prayers and unworthy of his labors: illness, and the poor, and deprivation, and disgrace, and fear, and sin, and joy, and hope, and love - everything found a lively response in his deep human heart. And he left us the image of a man who is the radiance of God's beauty, he left us in himself, as it were, a living, acting icon genuine person.
But he left it to us not only so that we rejoice, admire, be amazed; he left us his image so that we could learn from him how to live, what kind of love to love, how to forget ourselves and remember fearlessly, sacrificially, joyfully every need of another person.
He left us an image of how to die, how to mature, how to stand before God at the last hour, giving His soul joyfully, as if returning to his father's house. When I was a young man, my father once told me: during your life, learn to expect death in the same way as a young man tremblingly awaits the arrival of his bride... This is how Saint Nicholas waited for the hour of death, when the gates of death will open, when all bonds will fall, when his soul will fly free, when it will be given to him to behold the God whom he worshiped with faith and love. So it is given to us to wait - to wait creatively, not to wait numbly, in fear of death, but to wait with joy for that time, that meeting with God, which will make us akin not only to our Living God, with Christ who became a man, but also with every person, because only in God we become one ...
The Fathers of the Church call us to live fear of death. From century to century we hear these words, and from century to century we misunderstand them. How many people live in fear that death is about to come, and after death - judgment, and after judgment - what? Unknown. Hell? Forgiveness?.. But not about that fear of death fathers said. The Fathers said that if we remembered that in a moment we might die, how we would hasten to do all the good that we can still do! If we thought constantly, tremblingly that the person standing next to us, to whom we can now do good or evil, might die - how we would hasten to take care of him! There would then be no need, either great or small, that would exceed our ability to devote life to a person who is about to die.
I have already said something about my father; sorry - I'll tell you one more personal. My mother has been dying for three years; she knew it because I told her. And when death entered our life, it transformed life by the fact that every moment, every word, every action - because it could be the last - had to be a perfect expression of all the love, all the affection, all the reverence that was between us. And for three years there was no trifle and no big things, but only the triumph of tremulous, reverent love, where everything merged into greatness, because in one word you can enclose all love, and in one movement you can express all love; and it should be like this.
The Saints understood this not only in relation to one person, whom they loved especially tenderly and for some small years, for which they had the spirit. The saints knew how to live like this throughout their whole lives, from day to day, from hour to hour, in relation to each person, because in each they saw the image of God, a living icon, but - God! - sometimes such a defiled, such a mutilated icon, which they contemplated with special pain and with special love, as we would contemplate an icon trampled into the mud before our eyes. And each of us, with our sin, tramples into the mud the image of God in ourselves.
Think about it. Think how glorious, how marvelous death can be if we only live life like saints. They are people like us, differing from us only in courage and burning spirit. If only we could live like them! And how rich the memory of death could be for us if, instead of being called, in our language, the fear of death, it were a constant reminder that every moment is and can become a door to eternal life. Every moment, filled with all love, all humility, all delight and strength of the soul, can open time to eternity and make our earth already a place where paradise is revealed, a place where God lives, a place where we are united in love, a place where everything bad, dead, dark, dirty is defeated, transfigured, became light, became purity, became Divine.
May the Lord grant us to ponder these images of the saints, and not to each other, not even to ask ourselves what to do, but to turn directly to them, to these saints, of whom some were at first robbers, sinners, terrible people for others, but who managed by the greatness of the soul to perceive God and grow into measure of the age of Christ. Let's ask them... What happened to you, Father Nicholas? What did you do, how did you reveal yourself to the power of Divine love and grace?.. And he will answer us; with his life and his prayer he will make possible for us what seems impossible to us, because the power of God is made perfect in weakness, and everything is available to us, everything is possible for us in the Lord Jesus Christ who strengthens us.
Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh. About the calling of a Christian.
Word pronounced at the liturgy on the day of memory of St. Nicholas on December 19, 1973, in the church named after him in Kuznetsy (Moscow)
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
I congratulate you on the occasion!
When we celebrate the day of such a saint as Nicholas the Wonderworker, whom not only the Russian heart, but universal Orthodoxy perceived as one of the most perfect images of the priesthood, it is especially reverent to serve the Divine Liturgy and stand before it; because before he became a companion of the apostles, Saint Nicholas was a genuine, true layman. The Lord Himself revealed that it was he who should have been made a priest - for the purity of his life, for the feat of his love, for his love for worship and the temple, for the purity of his faith, for his meekness and humility.
All this was in him not a word, but it was flesh. In the troparion we sing to him that he was rule of faith, image of meekness, teacher of temperance; all this appeared to his flock by the very deed, the radiance of his life, and not just a verbal sermon. And so he was still a layman. And by such a feat, such love, such purity, such meekness, he acquired for himself the highest calling of the Church - to be appointed bishop, bishop of his city; to be before the eyes of the believing people (which itself is the body of Christ, the seat of the Holy Spirit, the divine lot), among the Orthodox people to stand like a living icon; so that, looking at him, in his eyes to see the light of Christ's love, to see in his actions, to experience Christ's divine mercy with his own eyes.
We are all called to follow the same path. There are no two ways for a person: there is a way of holiness; the other way is the way of renunciation of one's Christian calling. Not everyone reaches the height that is revealed to us in the saints; but we are all called to be so pure in our heart, in our mind, in our life, in our flesh, that we may be, as it were, the incarnate presence in the world, from century to century, from millennium to millennium, of Christ Himself.
We are called to be so completely, so completely given to God, that each of us becomes, as it were, a temple where the Holy Spirit lives and acts - both in us and through us.
We are called to be daughters and sons of our Heavenly Father; but not only allegorically, not only because He treats us as a father treats children. In Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are called to truly become His children, like Christ, partaking of His sonship, receiving the Spirit of sonship, the Spirit of God, so that our life may be hidden. with Christ in God.
This we cannot achieve without difficulty. The Church Fathers tell us: shed blood and you will receive the Spirit... We cannot ask God to dwell in us when we ourselves are not working to prepare for Him a holy, purified, God-consecrated temple. We cannot call Him into the depths of our sin again and again if we do not have a firm, fiery intention, if we are not ready when He descends to us, when He seeks us like a lost sheep, and wants to carry us back to our father's house, to be taken and carried away forever in His Divine arms.
To be a Christian is to be an ascetic; to be a Christian is to struggle to overcome everything in oneself that is death, sin, unrighteousness, impurity; in a word - to overcome, to overcome everything because of which Christ was crucified, killed on the Cross. Human sin killed him - mine, and yours, and our common; and if we do not overcome and do not get rid of sin, then we partake either of those who, through negligence, coldness, indifference, frivolity, gave Christ to be crucified, or those who maliciously wanted to destroy Him, wipe Him off the face of the earth, because His appearance, His preaching, His personality were their condemnation.
To be a Christian is to be an ascetic; and yet it is impossible for us to save ourselves. Our calling is so high, so great, that a person cannot fulfill it on his own. I have already said that we are called to be, as it were, grafted into the humanity of Christ, as a twig is grafted into a life-giving tree - so that the life of Christ would spring up in us, so that we would be His body, so that we would be His presence, so that our word would be His word, our love would be His love, and our action would be His action.
I said that we must become a temple of the Holy Spirit, but more than a physical temple. The material temple contains the presence of God, but is not permeated by it; and man is called to unite with God in such a way as, according to the word of St. Maximus the Confessor, fire pierces, penetrates iron, becomes one with it, and it is possible (says Maximus) to cut with fire and burn with iron, because it is no longer possible to distinguish where the burning is and where the fuel is, where the man is and where God is.
This we cannot achieve. We cannot become sons and daughters of God just because we ourselves want it or we ask and pray for it; we must be accepted by the Father, adopted, we must become, in the love of God for Christ, what Christ is to the Father: sons, daughters. How can we achieve this? The Gospel gives us the answer. Peter asks: Who can be saved? - And Christ answers: What is impossible for man is possible for God...
Through deeds we can open our hearts; protect your mind and soul from impurity; we can direct our actions so that they are worthy of our calling and our God; we can keep our flesh pure for the communion of the Body and Blood of Christ; we can open ourselves to God and say: Come and dwell in us… And we can know that if we ask this with a sincere heart, we want it, then God, who wants us to be saved more than we know how to want it for ourselves, will give it to us. He Himself tells us in the Gospel: If you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him...
Therefore, let us be with all the strength of our human weakness, with all the burning of our dim spirit, with all the hope of our heart yearning for fullness, with all our faith that cries out to God: Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief! With all the hunger, with all the thirst of our soul and body, let us ask God to come. But at the same time, with all the strength of our soul, with all the strength of our body, let us prepare for Him a temple worthy of His coming: cleansed, dedicated to Him, guarded from all unrighteousness, malice and impurity. And then the Lord will come; and will celebrate, as He promised us, with the Father and the Spirit, the Last Supper in our hearts, in our lives, in our temple, in our society, and the Lord will reign forever, our God to generation and generation.
Santa Claus
In Western Christianity, the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was combined with the image of a folklore character - "Christmas grandfather" - and transformed into Santa Claus ( santa claus translated from English. - St Nicholas). Santa Claus gives gifts to children on St. Nicholas Day, but more often on Christmas Day.
At the origins of the tradition of giving gifts on behalf of Santa Claus is the story of a miracle performed by Nikolai Ugodnik. As the life of the saint says, he saved the family of a poor man who lived in Patara from sin.
The poor man had three lovely daughters, and the need made him think terrible - he wanted to send the girls into prostitution. The local archbishop, and Nicholas the Wonderworker just served them, received a revelation from the Lord about what his parishioner had conceived in desperation. And he decided to save his family, and secretly from everyone. One night, he tied a bundle of gold coins that he inherited from his parents, and threw the bag to the poor man through the window. The father of his daughters discovered the gift only in the morning and thought that it was Christ himself who sent him a gift. With these funds, he married his eldest daughter to a good man.
Saint Nicholas rejoiced that his help had brought good fruit, and in the same way, secretly, he threw a second bag of gold through the window of the poor man. With these funds, he played the wedding of his middle daughter.
The poor man was eager to know who his benefactor was. He did not sleep at night and waited if he would come to help the third daughter? Saint Nicholas was not long in coming. Hearing the ringing of a bundle of coins, the poor man caught up with the archbishop and recognized him as a saint. I fell at his feet and warmly thanked him for saving his family from a terrible sin.
Nikola Winter, Nikola Autumn, Nikola Veshny, "Nikola Wet"
On December 19 and August 11, according to the new style, Orthodox Christians remember, respectively, the death and birth of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. According to the time of the year, these holidays received popular names - Nikola Winter and Nikola Autumn.
Nikola Veshnim (that is, spring), or Nikola Summer, was called the feast of the transfer of the relics of the saint and wonderworker Nicholas from the World of Lycian to Bari, which is celebrated on May 22 according to a new style.
The phrase "Nikola Wet" comes from the fact that this saint in all ages was considered the patron saint of sailors and, in general, of all travelers. When the temple in the name of St. Nicholas the Pleasant was built by sailors (often in gratitude for the miraculous rescue on the waters), the people called it "Nikola Wet".
Folk traditions of celebrating the day of memory of Nikolai Ugodnik
In Rus', Nicholas the Pleasant was revered as the "senior" among the saints. Nicola was called "merciful"; temples were built in honor of him and children were named - from antiquity and until the beginning of the 20th century, the name Kolya was the most popular among Russian boys.
About Nikola Zimny (December 19) in the huts in honor of the holiday, festive meals were arranged - they baked pies with fish, brewed mash and beer. The holiday was considered "old man's", the most respected people of the village gathered together a rich table and had long conversations. And the youth indulged in winter entertainment - sledding, dancing, singing songs, preparing for Christmas gatherings.
On Nikola Summer, or Spring (May 22), the peasants arranged religious processions - they went to the fields with icons and banners, performed prayers at the wells - they asked for rain.
