Remembering Saint Nicholas

As we prepare our homes for the visit of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, many people around the world are preparing to celebrate the feast day of Saint Nicholas on December 6. Children around the world know and love Saint Nicholas, even though he is known by different names and looks different from place to place—for he brings gifts and treats in December.

Nicholas was born during the third century in the Greek village of Patara. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man.

Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of Saint Nicholas' life and deeds. One story tells of a poor man with three daughters. In those days a young woman's father had to offer prospective husbands something of value—a dowry. The larger the dowry, the better the chance that a young woman would find a good husband. Without a dowry, a woman was unlikely to marry. This poor man's daughters were destined to be sold into slavery. Mysteriously, on three different occasions, a bag of gold appeared in their home—providing the needed dowries. The bags of gold—tossed through an open window or down a chimney—are said to have landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes as they eagerly await gifts from Saint Nicholas.
Other stories tell of Nicholas saving people from famine, sparing the lives of those innocently accused, even calming the sea. He did many kind and generous deeds in secret, expecting nothing in return.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith. He was exiled and imprisoned. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea—called in 325 to preserve the unity of the church which was being threatened by competing claims about the nature of Jesus Christ.

Bishop Nicholas died December 6, 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church. Within a century of his death he was celebrated as a saint. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, Saint Nicholas Day. Today he is venerated as patron of a great variety of persons—children, mariners, bankers, pawn-brokers, scholars, orphans, laborers, travelers, merchants, judges, paupers, marriageable maidens, students, children, sailors, victims of judicial mistakes, captives, perfumers, even thieves and murderers! He is known as the friend and protector of all in trouble or need. As we remember his example, let us renew our commitment to befriend and protect those who are in trouble or need.


For more info on Saint Nicholas, check out www.stnicholascenter.org