St. Nicholas of Myra in Lycia

This saint, famed throughout the entire world today, was the only son of his eminent and wealthy parents, Theophanes and Nona, citizens of Patara in Lycia. They dedicated to God the only son he gave them. St. Nicholas was instructed in the spiritual life by his uncle Nicholas, Bishop of Patara, and became a monk at New Zion, a monastery founded by his uncle. On the death of his parents, Nicholas distributed all the property he inherited to the poor and kept nothing back for himself. As a priest in Patara, he was known for his charitable works, fulfilling the Lord's words: "Let not your left hand know what your right hand does" (Matt 6:3).

When he embraced a life of solitude and silence, thinking to live in that way until his death, a voice from on high came to him: "Nicholas, set about your work among the people if you desire to receive a crown from Me." Immediately after that, by God's wondrous providence, he was chosen archbishop of the city of Myra in Lycia. Merciful, wise and fearless, Nicholas was a true shepherd to his flock. He was cast into prison during the persecutions of Diocletian and Maximian, but even there continued to instruct the people in the Law of God. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council in Nicea in 325, and, in his zeal, struck the heretic Arius with his hand. For this act, he was removed from the Council and from his Episcopal duties, until some of the chief hierarchs had a change of heart and showed sympathy with Nicholas.

This wonderful saint was a defender of the truth of God, and was ever a spirited champion of justice among the people. On two occasions, he saved three men from undeserved sentences of death. Merciful, trustworthy and loving right, he walked among the people like an angel of God. People considered him a saint even during his lifetime, and invoked his aid when in torment or distress. He would appear both in dreams and in reality to those who called upon him for help, responding speedily to them, whether close at hand or far away. His face would shine with light as Moses did aforetime, and his mere presence among people would bring solace, peace and goodwill. In old age, he sickened of a slight illness, and went to his rest in the Lord after a life full of labor and fruitful toil on December 6th, 343 AD.