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Saint Nicolas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra 12/19/2013
This glorious Saint, venerated to this day all over the world, was the only son of Theophanes and Nonna, wealthy and distinguished citizens of Patara in Lycia. Being the only child granted by God, his parents consecrated him to God, thus offering Him a gift. Saint Nicolas gained knowledge of theology and spiritual life with the help of his uncle Nicolas, the Archbishop of Patara, and became a monk at the Monastery New Zion founded by his uncle. Upon his parents’ death Nicholas distributed all the riches he had inherited to the poor keeping nothing for himself. While he served as a priest in Patara he became renowned for his charitable deeds, even though he did his best to keep them secret to fulfil the word of God: “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matthew 6, 3). When he had withdrew to life in silence and hesychia, intending thus to spend the rest of his life, he heard a voice from above:” Go into the world and there My Name shall be glorified in thee. “Before long, by miraculous Divine providence he was elected Bishop of Myra in Lycia. Merciful, wise and fearless, Saint Nicolas became a true good shepherd of his flock. During the persecutions of Christians under Diocletian and Maximian, he was thrown into prison, where he continued to instruct people in the law of God. He participated in the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea and led by his great zeal for the truth, he struck the heretic Arius. For this deed of his, he was made to leave the Council and was deposed from the episcopal throne, until the moment the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Theotokos appeared to some of the first hierarchs of the Council and declared their favour of Nicolas. A guardian of divine truth, this miraculous Saint of God was also protector of those suffering injustice among men. On two occasions he saved three men from death penalty they had not deserved. Merciful, truth-loving and just, he moved among men as if angel of God. During his lifetime people regarded him as a Saint and called upon his help when suffering hardships and anguish, and he appeared in a dream or in reality to those calling upon him, regardless of the fact how distant they are, and helped them. His face was radiant with light as the face of Moses, so his sole appearance brought consolation, peace and good will among men. In his old age he suffered a short illness and fell asleep in the Lord. Having suffered greatly and having brought forth abundant fruit, he inhabited the everlasting Kingdom of Heaven not ceasing to work wonders on earth, helping the faithful and glorifying his God. He fell asleep on 6 December 343.
