St. Nicholas (270-December 6, 346) is one of the most beloved of
saints, and many tails surround him.
What is known is that Nicholas was from Lycia (in Turkey
today) and made pilgrimage to Palestine and Egypt,
supposedly to study with the desert fathers. Returning some years later, he went to Myra
(now Demre, Turkey) where he was quickly
ordained Bishop. He was imprisoned
during the Diocletian persecution, but was released when Constantine
made Christianity the official religion of the Roman
Empire. He also attended
the council of Nicaea.
Nicholas was known for his generosity. It is said that a poor man had three
daughters and that just before each came of age, he would throw a bag of gold
through the window, so that she would have a dowry so as not be need to be sold
into slavery. The third time the poor
man caught him in the act, and Nicholas told him not to thank Nicholas but the
thank God.
Many other fantastic tails surround
Nicholas, and while they al probably are based on true stories, the form in
which they come to us is more like a fairy tale. Nicholas as a result of his
kind actions came to be known as a Patron of children and sailors among
others.
Many Orthodox countries, as well as the Netherlands and countries in Eastern
Europe celebrate St. Nicholas day.
Nicholas is always vested as a Bishop and comes on a white horse,
rewarding good children with candy (in Holland
with chocolate coins) and bad children with lumps of coal. Shoes are left out to receive these
gifts. In Dutch, St. Nicholas is Sinter
Klas, and in New York
with its mix of Dutch and English came to be known as Santa Claus.
Psalm
145:8-13Proverbs 19:17, 20-23
1 John 4:7-14
Mark 10:13-16
Collect:
El Shaddai, as you raised up Nicholas of Myra to be generous to the
poor, children and sailors, bless us that we may be blessings to all who are in
need, and teach us to protect the poor, children, sailors, and others whom this
world has forgotten, and let your blessing be upon them as well. This
we ask in the name of Yeshua haMoshiach, who lives and governs with you in Shekina glory everlasting. Amen. (red)
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