St Nicholas, Bishop of Myra and Saint of Bari
The Story of St
Nicholas
Saint Nicholas
was born in 260AD in Patara, a coastal town in what is now
Turkey. The poor knew him throughout the land for his
generosity, his love for children and being associated with
ships, the sea and sailors. He was eventually consecrated
Bishop of Myra, just miles from his hometown.
Our western
tradition of Santa Claus and Father Christmas originates
with the beloved saint. Many Christian churches and many
countries observe December 6th, his feast day, with great
celebrations, processions, services and gift giving.
Many legends
surround his life. During the reign of the Roman emperor
Diocletian, Bishop Nicholas was imprisoned and tortured for
his beliefs but he never forsook his faith. The new Emperor
Constantine eventually released him. Tradition has it that
Bishop Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in 325 with
many other bishops, a meeting that produced what we today
call "The Nicene Creed". |
Adler Decoration
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Traditional image from Bari, Italy |
Images of St
Nicholas in paintings, icons, statues, collectibles and
stained glass often show him alongside three young men
in a barrel that he brought back to life after an
innkeeper murdered them. He is almost always seen with
three bags or balls as well, symbolising the three bags
of gold he tossed through the chimney of the home of a
poor man in his village for the daughters' dowry, so
they would not be sold as slaves. Thus he is also seen
as the "gift-giver". A ship and the sea are also common
symbols of the saint. Western and Eastern depictions of
Blessed Nicholas differ in style and costume.
Saint Nicholas is a patron of many places and people. He closely associated with Russia, Greece, Holland, Austria, Belgium, Aberdeen and New York. Pawnbrokers, travellers, unwed persons, children, sailors and many others claim a special relationship to the saintly figure. Many churches are dedicated to him as well, in England, over 400. Nicholas is third most popular subject of icons in the church, with only Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary having more representations.
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The beloved bishop died in 343AD and his body buried in the cathedral at Myra.
However, in 1087,
Italian sailors who were fearful that the bones would be
desecrated or forgotten by the armies invading the country
at that time removed the remains of his bones, called
relics. They were taken to Bari, Italy, where they rest in a
major basilica dedicated to the saint. Special celebrations
are held on May 9 each year on the Bari coast to mark the
date of the "translation" of the relics.
The name St
Nicholas lives in the hearts of people all over the world,
young and old alike. His faith and his actions make
remembering him important even in our day. He is our Santa
Claus and Father Christmas, and we must remind people today
of this fact. To this very day St Nicholas (Sinterklaas)
arrives in Holland each November, dressed in a Christian
Bishop's vestments, and rides through the streets to the
enjoyment of thousands of onlookers, to begin his
investigation into the behaviour of the children.
Such customs are
being revived in Christian communities all over the world.
St Nicholas Day
falls in the season of Advent and with the tradition of his
bearing gifts, he became associated with Christmas as well.
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The Church at Myra still stands |
Saint Nicholas of Myra (ca. 280 - 341)
In the Eastern Church, St. Nicholas is considered the canon - the "measuring stick" - for bishops. He is not remembered because he was an exceptional administrator, but because he made the Christian faith believable for people of his time by living it himself radically and profoundly. Legends surround his life, all pointing to his love for others, especially for the poor and afflicted.
The Church realizes her essence whenever she stands with the poor, for that is where she finds her Spouse, Jesus Christ. This has been obscured by the power and royal trappings of Christendom. In our day, however, bishops themselves are redefining their lives, much the way St. Nicholas might have done in the ancient Church. "We bishops pledge to make clear through our lives and our attitudes that our preference is to evangelize and serve the poor." (Puebla, 1979) |
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LONG LIVE
SAINT NICHOLAS
Patron Saint of, or associated with:
Against
imprisonment, Against robberies, Against robbers, Apothecaries,
Bakers, Barrel Makers, Boatmen, Boot Blacks, Boys, Brewers,
Brides, Captives, Children, Coopers, Dock Workers, Druggists,
Fishermen, Greece, Greek Catholic Church in America, Greek Catholic Union,
Grooms, Judges, Lawsuits lost unjustly, Longshoremen, Lorraine,
Maidens, Mariners, Merchants, Murderers, Newlyweds,
Old Maids, Parish Clerks, Paupers, Pawnbrokers, Perfumeries,
Perfumers, Pharmacists, Pilgrims, Poor people, Portsmouth
- England, Prisoners, Russia, Sailors, Scholars, Schoolchildren,
Shoe Shiners, Sicily,
Spinsters, Students, Thieves, Travellers, Unmarried girls
& Watermen.
Fribourg Switzerland Cathedral |
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