Saint Nicholas Archbishop of Myron of Lycia
Date of celebration: 06/12
Agios Nikolaos was born in the 3rd century AD. in Patara, Lycia, from pious and wealthy parents and acted during the era of the emperors Diocletian (284 – 304 AD), Maximian (286 – 305 AD) and Constantine the Great.
At a young age he was orphaned and inherited a large fortune. But Nicholas, inspired by philanthropic feelings, disposed of his property to relieve the needy, orphans, poor, widows, distressed family heads. One would even corrupt his three daughters in order to secure money. When Nikolaos learned this, he secretly secured the dowries of the three girls in three nights, leaving 100 gold florins to each. Thus the three daughters were restored and saved from certain corruption.
Afterwards he dedicated himself to the ascetic life, but due to his special virtue he was honored, without seeking it, initially with the office of Priest in Patara and then with the office of Archbishop of Myron. From this position he lovingly guided his flock and defiantly confessed the truth. For this reason he was arrested by the local rulers and thrown into prison.
But when Constantine the Great ascended to the imperial throne, all the Christians were freed and thus Nicholas returned to the archbishop’s throne. In fact, he took part in the First Ecumenical Synod, where he stood out for his wisdom and moral perfection.
Agios Nikolaos was also gifted with the gift of miracles with which he saved many people both while he was alive and also after he fell asleep in 330 AD. For example, when someone was in danger at sea – due to strong winds – and invoked the name of the saint, he was saved and even while he was in the middle of the ocean, he was found unharmed in his home. The miracle immediately became known in the city and the people immediately attended a litany and a vigil in order to honor the miraculous Saint.
