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St. Nicholas, the chosen of God, was in his own lifetime a great wonder-worker of miracles, and this continues to this day.  He was born in Patara, later entering into the Monastery of New Zion, founded by his uncle Nicholas, who was also the bishop of Patara.     He wanted to live a life of solitude and silence, but heard a Heavenly voice calling him, “Nicholas, for your ascetic labor, work among the people if you desire a crown from Me.”  Shortly after this, he was chosen by revelation to be the Bishop of Myra in Lycia of Asia Minor, now in modern day Turkey.

Generous with his goods and life, fearless before earthly powers in matters of righteousness, zealous for the faith, and truthful, St. Nicholas was a lover of justice, and on two occasions defended three innocent men condemned to death.  He appeared even while alive in dreams and in person to those who called on him in need, and is known to be “quick to help.”  He is the patron of travelers, those at sea, students, and even pawnbrokers.  Loved throughout the world, may he also hear our humble prayers!  St. Nicholas died after a short illness on December 6, 343.

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Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors and is often called upon by mariners who are in danger of drowning or being shipwrecked. According to one legend, as a young man Nicholas went to study in Alexandria and on one of his sea voyages from Myra to Alexandria he is said to have saved the life of a sailor who fell from the ship’s rigging in a storm. St. Nicholas saved the man on his voyage back from Alexandria to Myra and upon his arrival took the sailor to the church. At that time the previous bishop of the city had just died and the church fathers were instructed in a dream to choose for their next bishop a “man who conquers”. While the saint was praying, the loose-lipped sailor went around telling how courageously he was saved by the man Nikei-Laos, upon which the church elders had no choice but to elect Nicholas as their new bishop.

Feast Day: 6th December