Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra
Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, Wonderworker
- Feast day
- December 6
- Lived
- c. 270–343
- Patronage
- Sailors, travellers, children, the poor, and those in unjust danger
Saint Nicholas is the most universally venerated bishop of the Orthodox Church. Born in Patara in Lycia, in what is now southern Turkey, he was made archbishop of Myra and became famous in his own lifetime for hidden generosity, fearless defence of the innocent, and miracles at sea.
Life
Nicholas was born to wealthy Christian parents who died while he was still young, leaving him a considerable inheritance. Rather than keep it, he spent his life giving it away secretly. The best-known account tells of a ruined neighbour who could not provide dowries for his three daughters and was on the point of selling them. Nicholas threw bags of gold through the window at night on three occasions, saving the family and refusing all thanks — the origin of the tradition of secret gift-giving in his name.
He was elected archbishop of Myra and suffered imprisonment during the persecution under Diocletian, being released when Saint Constantine granted peace to the Church. Tradition places him among the fathers of the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea in 325, where he defended the divinity of Christ against Arius.
He is also remembered for intervening physically to stop the execution of three men condemned on false charges, seizing the sword from the executioner's hand — the scene that gave him his reputation as the defender of the wrongly accused.
Veneration and relics
His relics remained in Myra until 1087, when they were translated to Bari in southern Italy, where they continue to exude a fragrant myrrh venerated by Orthodox pilgrims. The Orthodox Church keeps that translation as a second feast on May 9.
Because of the many miracles of rescue attributed to him at sea, sailors across the Mediterranean, the Aegean and the Russian north have kept his icon aboard for centuries. Every Thursday of the week is dedicated to him alongside the Holy Apostles in Orthodox liturgical practice.
Frequently asked
- Is Saint Nicholas the same person as Santa Claus?
- Historically yes — the Dutch Sinterklaas gave the English 'Santa Claus'. But the Orthodox Church venerates the historical bishop of Myra: a confessor, a father of Nicaea, and a defender of the poor, not a folkloric figure.
- When is his feast day?
- December 6 on the Gregorian (New) calendar, which corresponds to December 19 for parishes following the Julian (Old) calendar.