ST. NICHOLAS THE WONDERWORKER

Every church is dedicated to a feast of the Lord, the Virgin Mary or a Saint. Our church has the honour of being dedicated to two Saints who showed their love to Christ and His Church with their sacrifice. May they intercede for us always!

Feastday: December 6th

Apolytikion (Dismissal Hymn):

Κανόνα πίστεως καἰ εἰκόνα πραότητος, ἐγκρατείας Διδάσκαλον, ἀνέδειξέ σε τῇ ποίμνῃ σου, ἡ τῶν πραγμάτων ἀλήθεια· διἀ τοῦτο ἐκτήσω τῇ ταπεινώσει τὰ ὑψηλά, τῇ πτωχείᾳ τὰ πλούσια, Πάτερ Ἱεράρχα Νικόλαε· πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.

The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, an icon of meekness, and a teacher of temperance; for this cause, thou hast achieved the heights by humility, riches by poverty. O Father and Hierarch Nicholas, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

About his life:

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker lived during the time when Saint Constantine the Great ruled the Byzantine Empire. From a young age, St. Nicholas wanted to spend his time dedicated to God. But it was not until he went on his own religious journey to the holy city of Jerusalem where he found a quiet place and dedicated himself to prayer. Although his desire was to serve the Lord in this way, God would lead him back to his homeland to serve as its Shepherd, its Archbishop. During his tenure as Archbishop, he was known to all the faithful as a man expressing great mercy, and providing necessities to the poor and less fortunate people.

St. Nicholas’ life would not only remain within the confines of Myra, though; he would play a very important part in a Council which saw Bishops come together from all across the Christian World. In 325 AD in Nicaea, St. Nicholas joined the First Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church that included 318 Fathers. This Council was the first time so many of the Church’s Bishops met to discuss various issues, including the heresy of Arius. St. Nicholas loved Truth so much, he lashed out at Arius in a moment of frustration during the Council meeting. Since it was against the Church for any clergymen to act in such a manner against another person, the bishops of the Council were uncertain of the punishment that would be given to St. Nicholas. However, our Lord and our Lady Theotokos appeared to the bishops during the night, telling them that they should not punish St. Nicholas because his behavior towards Arius was out of his great devotion to the Orthodox faith. He passed away at a venerable age, fulfilling his call as Archbishop and a faithful servant of God.

St. Nicholas is usually referred to as “the Wonderworker” (οr θαυματουργός) because of the many miracles that are attributed to him. He is considered the Patron Saint of children, merchants, sailors, scholars, and anyone who travels by sea.

Scripture readings for his feastday include:

St. Nicholas Made a Difference!

St. Nicholas was a teacher of self-discipline and dedicated himself to prayer. He showed everyone that he had a passion for seeking the Truth. He spread the word of God by putting others before him and saving the innocent from death. We can be like him if we show this Christ-like love that St. Nicholas also displayed throughout his life. May His example be one for us to follow, to be closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Saint Nicholas: About