The great servant and saint of the Lord, Nicholas the Wonderworker, is known for many of his miracles and mercy to people. He healed the sick, saved people from troubles and unjustified accusations. He gave alms to the poor. He protected his seafarers with his prayers.

The great saint was born in the Lycian region, in the city of Patara. The exact date of his birth is unknown. Approximately, it was in the 2nd half of the 3rd century.

Nikolai's parents were religious and pious people. However, the Lord did not give them children. And, they earnestly prayed that he would send them a child, promising to dedicate him to the service of God. Their prayers were finally heard.

Nicholas showed miracles from infancy. During his baptism, he himself stood on his feet. And this sacrament took quite a long time.

He also observed the fasts while still a small child. He learned to read and write quite early and diligently read the sacred scriptures. At a young age, he took the priesthood. He was distinguished by wisdom. People from afar came to him for help, as the fame of his talents very soon went beyond the borders of his native city.

Nicholas made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He sailed there on a ship along with other pilgrims. He was the senior on this journey. Even before setting off, Nikolai predicted a terrible storm and the death of the ship and people. But, with his prayers, he was able to pacify the bad weather. They quietly arrived in the Sacred Lands. There Nicholas visited all the holy places.

During this pilgrimage, he wanted to leave the world, devoting himself to the desert life. But, the Lord, appearing to him in a dream, ordered him to return to the people. More than once later Nikolai wanted to retire, but another fate was prepared for him by the Lord, all the time stopping him from this.

After the death of the bishop in Lira, this dignity was transferred to Nicholas. The Lord pointed to him, as to his chosen one, to one of the clergy in a dream.

During the reign of Emperor Diocletian, 284-305 were marked by Christian persecution. Nicholas was put in prison along with other righteous people. He consoled them in every possible way and supported them, calling for patience.

Under Constantine, he was released and returned to his diocese.

Nicholas had a meek character, he was merciful and patient. However, this did not prevent him from zealously defending the faith, destroying pagan temples and denouncing heretics. Once, even deprived of his dignity, for too violent behavior. After that, he was restored in his rights, since the Lord showed evidence that Nikolai was acting on his behalf.

Nicholas lived to a ripe old age. He died between 345 and 351. His relics turned out to be imperishable and exuding a healing myrrh.

Life of Nicholas the Wonderworker

Saint Nicholas was born in the Lycian region into a religious family. Parents could not have children for a long time, but one day, when Nonna became pregnant, mother and father made a vow that they would dedicate their only son to God. At birth, Saint Nicholas was able to heal his mother from a terrible disease. With his birth, the boy brought joy and happiness to those around him. During the baptism, saluting the Holy Trinity, the boy was able to stand on his own for more than 2 hours. From early childhood, Nikolai fasted, drank Nonna's milk only 2 times a week.

When he grew up a little, he began to devote all his time to the study of the Bible, the Great Scriptures, often went to the temple and prayed. He was very proud of his uncle, who was a minister of the church, and after a while Nikolai becomes a reader, and even later he is given the priesthood. In himself, he combined both the spirit of youth and the wisdom of an old man. The parishioners respected him, loved talking to him and listening to him read. He was constantly in the temple and was ready to help anyone who needed it. Also, Nicholas always tried to give his estate to the poor.

Once he saved the family from poverty and disgrace. One beggar, in order to save his family from hunger, decided to give his daughters to fornication, but Nicholas found out about this and gave him several bags of gold. The priest never talked about helping anyone, he preferred to keep it a secret.

His uncle Bishop of Patara was to go to Jerusalem and decided to leave the church to his nephew Nicholas. When the bishop returned, the young priest asked for a blessing to see the Holy Land. When he and his travelers were on the road, Nicholas predicted that trouble awaited them and that a storm would soon overtake them. But he was asked to calm the elements with prayers. So St. Nicholas saved the lives of his comrades.

Having reached Jerusalem, Nicholas went around all the holy lands and read prayers. When he got to Mount Zion, he discovered a church. The closed doors opened before Saint Nicholas, and he went inside. Also, after reading the prayers, Nicholas the Wonderworker wanted to go to the desert and become a pilgrim, but someone's voice stopped him and said that he needed to return home and help those in need there.

He returned to Lycia, and the Lord addressed him, saying that he had to go into the world and glorify the holy name. And so it happened when the revered Archbishop John died, and the time came to elect a new archbishop. The face of Nicholas came in a vision to one of the clergy and he was elected a great archbishop.

Nicholas is known for being able to perform miracles. He knew a lot and once, he saved three innocent husbands from death. The archbishop stopped the sword over their heads, and saw the one who slandered them in a lie. Also, the city of the World, which was dying of hunger, was saved precisely by the prayers of Nicholas. Then he saved several drowning people and captives who were in prison.

In 345, Nicholas went to the Lord and continued to serve him there. But even after death, the saint helped people. His relics could heal from the most terrible diseases. His name was famous all over the world, all Rus' knew about St. Nicholas, and today in every city there is a temple built in his honor.

Churches of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker are located in different lands: in Kyiv, Smolensk, Vladimir, Yaroslavl, Ivanovo, Moscow. Previously, temples were built by merchants and merchants in the central squares, as a sign of reverence for Nicholas.

An unconditional romantic, a brilliant prose writer, Alexander Stepanovich Green (Alexander Grinevsky) lived a stormy, eventful life.

Lenin Vladimir Ilyich

Vladimir Ilyich Lenin is a politician and revolutionary. Was born in 1870 in Simbirsk. Throughout his life he founded many parties of the Soviet Union. He graduated from the Simbirsk gymnasium, and entered Kazan University

Alexander Vampilov

Alexander Vampilov is a wonderful prose writer and publicist who wrote many wonderful works, articles, artistic notes, and dramatic works.

A. Voznesensky

Nicholas the Wonderworker: The Complete Story of Life, Miracles and Holiness

“Bless, brethren, to say about a miracle,

about the miracle of St. Nicholas,

about St. Nicholas the Wonderworker"

Foreword

The greatness of the miraculous phenomena and signs of the Saint of God Nicholas was the reason that from the earliest times (from the 5th century) his biographies appeared, the number of which increased over time. From the 11th century, the Lives of St. Nicholas" are transferred to us in Russia and appear mainly in two editions: in handwritten lists and collections. Recently, in our hagiographic literature, there have appeared experiences of a critical attitude to the existing expositions of the life of St. Nicholas.

The “Life of St. Nicholas of Christ, Archbishop of the World of Lycia, miracle worker”, offered to readers, following his “Life” according to the presentation of St. Demetrius of Rostov, verified and supplemented with all, if possible, information that could be collected from church writers. In addition, his life is presented here in connection with those great events during which St. Nicholas lived and acted. These events necessarily influenced the life and work of the Pleasant of God and reflected on it more or less noticeably, and therefore modern writings about them not only believe and explain, but partly supplement the meager information about this or that time in the life of the great Wonderworker.

The blessed death of Saint Nicholas took place in the Lycian Worlds. But his honest relics remained here only until the end of the 11th century, when, by the will of God, they were transferred to the Italian city of Bari. The transfer of the honest relics of St. Nicholas to Bar-grad with the events immediately preceding and following it is therefore the subject of the second section of the Life.

In view of the undoubted interest that the Mirliki Church represents for a Christian, where the relics of St. Nicholas, and the Bargrad Church, in which they are currently located, we have placed stories about these sights dear to Christians and our Russian travelers to holy places.

By the grace of God, the pastoral work of St. Nicholas did not end with his righteous dormition in the Lycian Worlds, but miraculously became famous throughout almost the following centuries in the space of the Orthodox Church.

O. Gusev

Instead of a preface to the second part of this work, as its compiler, I consider it necessary to remark on my part the following.

The need for such a detailed collection of information about St. Nicholas, undertaken by us, has long been ripe in our society and requires satisfaction. From various sides, requests have long been heard for a complete and complete study of the Pleaser of God, from time immemorial so glorious and revered in our fatherland. Therefore, when I saw that I already had a fairly extensive store of information about the Wonderworker, although not yet completely finished, I decided to stop for a while and finish my work, albeit from the incomplete one that I had. I was reinforced in my decision by the thought that even in what my work in its present form will give, it is extremely timely, useful and even necessary. I thought that even if my research turns out to be one-sidedly processed, then - firstly - by this it does not deprive me of the opportunity to continue my research further and subsequently supplement and process my work completely. Secondly, Orthodox readers, to whom this study is mainly dedicated, will easily extract from it and in this form everything that is necessary for their soul, mind and heart. The religious consciousness of the Russian people and from what is offered will see all the great national, historical significance of the glorious Miracle Worker for our fatherland, and the heart of every reverent Russian person will have enough what has been said to penetrate feelings of surprise, delight, gratitude and love for the Hierarch. At the same time, I hoped that in this form my work would present in its entirety, if not the entire essence, then the entire volume and path of research about the great Pleaser in relation to his greatest significance for our earth. I dare to believe that, in conjunction with the first half of the work of my colleague, my part, even in this form, will deliver to the admirers of the Saint, if not the entire permanent finished building of the literary temple named after the Wonderworker, then at least the entire plan of this monument, broadly outlined, and a lot of material.

So, based on all of the above, I ask my future readers to kindly excuse me for many of the shortcomings of my work, all, sometimes so obvious, in it the discrepancy between the greatness of the task undertaken and the imperfection of its execution.

In conclusion, I consider it my duty to express my sincere gratitude to all the people who sympathetically responded to my inquiries about their local shrines named after Ugodnik and helped me with artistic and literary material in my work, and especially to the highly esteemed Professor N. V. Pokrovsky.

A. Voznesensky

The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicholas

THE LIFE OF ST. NICHOLAS OF CHRIST, ARCHBISHOP OF MYRA, WONDER WORKER

Persecution of Christians by Valerian. Birth of Saint Nicholas before entering public service

About 16 centuries have passed since Saint Nicholas, the great miracle worker, the Archbishop of Myra, lived on earth, who is now honored and glorified by the entire Christian world for his zeal for faith, a virtuous life and countless miracles performed by him to this day. to all who resort to him with faith in his help and the mercy of God.

Providence of God was pleased to send St. Nicholas to the earth in one of the most difficult times for Christianity. The third century after the Nativity of Christ, in the second half of which he was born, was a time of decisive struggle between Christianity and paganism, when the question had to be finally decided - would Christ's faith replace paganism, or would the latter remain indestructible and forever suppress Christianity? Christianity, undoubtedly, surpassed the already decaying paganism with its inner strength, based on the divine teaching of Jesus Christ and His holy apostles. But at that time, on the side of paganism, there was an external force, which, by all means available to it, tried to suppress Christianity, which it hated. So, a Christian was considered a criminal of the laws, an enemy of the Roman gods and Caesar, an ulcer of society, which they tried in every possible way to exterminate. Zealous pagans - Roman emperors - considering Christianity to be the death of the Roman Empire, and Christians - its most dangerous enemies, staged cruel persecutions against them, during which they forced them to renounce Christ and worship idols and images of Caesar. If the Christians did not agree to this, they were thrown into dungeons and subjected to the most painful tortures - tormented by hunger and thirst, beaten with rods, ropes and iron rods, burned on fire. If, after all this, they remained unshakable in the Christian faith, then they were put to no less painful death - they were drowned in rivers, given to be torn to pieces by wild animals, burned in ovens or at the stake. It is impossible to enumerate all the cruel torments to which irritated pagans subjected innocent Christians! One of the heaviest persecutions against Christians was the persecution undertaken by the Roman emperor Valerian. In the year A.D. 258, he issued an edict that prescribed terrible measures against Christians. According to this edict, bishops, presbyters, and deacons were put to death with swords; senators and judges were deprived of their property, and if they remained Christians then, they were also executed; noble women, after taking away their property, were sent into exile, all other Christians, chained, were sentenced to hard labor. This persecution fell with particular force on the pastors of the Church, and many of them sealed their faith with martyrdom. (Then St. Cyprian in Carthage fell under an axe, St. Lawrence in Rome was baked on an iron grate.)

M hello to you, dear visitors of the Orthodox website "Family and Faith"!

19 On December, the church commemorates the great saint, who is revered by the entire Christian world - St. Nicholas, Archbishop of the World of Lycian Wonderworker! Almost every one of the 2 billion Christians living on our planet turns to this marvelous saint, and St. Nicholas comes to the rescue!

H Below is a detailed and remarkable biography of the Wonderworker Nicholas, compiled according to ancient documents of St. Dimitri Rostovsky.

Also on our Orthodox website "Family and Faith" you can read:

WITH Christ's hierarch Nicholas, the great Wonderworker, a quick helper and a fair intercessor before God, was raised by the Lycian country. He was born in the city of Patara. His parents, Feofan and Nonna, were pious, noble and rich people. This blessed couple, for their charitable life, many alms and great virtues, was honored to grow a holy branch and “a tree planted by streams of water, which bears its fruit in its own time” (Ps. 1:3).

When this blessed boy was born, he was given the name Nicholas, which means conqueror of nations. And he, with the blessing of God, truly appeared as the conqueror of malice, for the good of the whole world. After his birth, his mother Nonna was immediately freed from her illness and from that time until her death remained barren. By this, nature itself, as it were, testified that this wife could not have another son like St. Nicholas: he alone had to be the first and last. Sanctified even in the womb by divinely inspired grace, he showed himself to be a reverent worshiper of God before he saw the light, began to work miracles before he began to feed on his mother's milk, and was a faster before he got used to eating food. After his birth, while still in the baptismal font, he stood on his feet for three hours, supported by no one, thus giving honor to the Most Holy Trinity, Whose great minister and representative he was to appear later on. It was possible to recognize the future miracle worker in him even by the way he clung to his mother's nipples; for he fed on the milk of one right breast, thus signifying his future standing at the right hand of the Lord along with the righteous. He showed his fair fasting in the fact that on Wednesdays and Fridays he ate mother's milk only once, and then in the evening, after the parents had performed the usual prayers. His father and mother were very surprised at this and foresaw what a strict faster their son would be in his life. Accustomed to such abstinence from infancy, Saint Nicholas spent his whole life until his death on Wednesday and Friday in strict fasting. Growing over the years, the lad also grew in mind, perfecting himself in virtues, which he was taught from pious parents. And he was like a fruitful field, accepting and growing the good seed of teaching and bringing new fruits of good manners every day. When the time came to learn from the Divine Scripture, Saint Nicholas, by the strength and sharpness of his mind and the help of the Holy Spirit, in a short time comprehended much wisdom and succeeded in book teaching as befits a good helmsman of Christ's ship and a skilful shepherd of verbal sheep. Having reached perfection in word and doctrine, he showed himself perfect in life itself. He avoided vain friends and idle conversations in every possible way, avoided conversations with women and did not even look at them. Saint Nicholas kept true chastity, always contemplating the Lord with a pure mind and diligently visiting the temple of God, following the Psalmist, who says: Ps.

In the temple of God, he spent whole days and nights in God-thought prayer and reading divine books, learning the spiritual mind, enriching himself with the divine grace of the Holy Spirit and building in himself a dwelling worthy for Him, according to the words of Scripture: “you are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God lives in you "(1 Corinthians 3:16).

The Spirit of God truly dwelt in this virtuous and pure youth, and as he served the Lord, his spirit burned. No habits characteristic of youth were noticed in him: in his disposition he was like an old man, which is why everyone respected him and marveled at him. An old man, if he shows youthful passion, is a laughingstock to everyone; on the contrary, if a young man has the disposition of an old man, then he is revered by everyone with surprise. Youth is out of place in old age, but old age is worthy of respect and beautiful in youth.

Saint Nicholas had an uncle, the bishop of the city of Patara, named after his nephew, who was named Nicholas in his honor. This bishop, seeing that his nephew was succeeding in a virtuous life and in every possible way withdrawn from the world, began to advise his parents that they should give their son to the service of God. They obeyed the advice and dedicated their child to the Lord, which they themselves received from Him as a gift. For in ancient books it is told about them that they were barren and no longer hoped to have children, but by many prayers, tears and alms they asked God for a son, and now they did not regret bringing him as a gift to the One who gave him. The bishop, having accepted this young elder, who has "the gray hair of wisdom and the age of old age, his life is undefiled" (cf. Prem. 4:9), elevated him to the rank of presbyter.

When he ordained Saint Nicholas to the priesthood, then, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, turning to the people who were in the church, he prophetically said:

“I see, brethren, a new sun rising over the earth and presenting a merciful consolation to those who mourn. Blessed is the flock that is worthy to have him as a shepherd, for this kind will save the souls of the erring, nourish them in the pasture of piety and will be a merciful helper in troubles and sorrows.

This prophecy was actually fulfilled afterwards, as will be seen from what follows.

Having taken the rank of presbyter, Saint Nicholas applied labors to labors; awake and abiding in unceasing prayer and fasting, he, being mortal, tried to imitate the incorporeal. Leading such an equal-angelic life and day by day more and more flourishing in the beauty of his soul, he was fully worthy to rule the Church. At this time, Bishop Nicholas, wishing to go to Palestine to worship the holy places, handed over the management of the Church to his nephew. This priest of God, Saint Nicholas, having taken the place of his uncle, took care of the affairs of the Church in the same way as the bishop himself. At this time, his parents passed into eternal life. Having inherited their estate, Saint Nicholas distributed it to those in need. For he did not pay attention to fleeting wealth and did not care about its multiplication, but, having renounced all worldly desires, with all zeal he tried to surrender himself to the One God, crying out: Ps. . Ps.142:10 - "Teach me to do Your will, because You are my God"; Ps.21:11 - “I am left on you from the womb; from my mother's womb You are my God."

And his hand was stretched out to the needy, on whom she poured out rich alms, like a deep river, abounding in streams. Here is one of the many works of his mercy.

There lived a certain man, noble and rich, in the city of Patara. Coming into extreme poverty, he lost his former significance, for the life of this age is impermanent. This man had three daughters who were very beautiful in appearance. When he had already lost everything necessary, so that there was nothing to eat and nothing to wear, he, for the sake of his great poverty, planned to give his daughters to fornication and turn his dwelling into a house of fornication, in order to thus earn his livelihood and acquire clothing and food for himself and his daughters. O woe, what unworthy thoughts does extreme poverty lead to! Having this impure thought, this man already wanted to fulfill his evil intention. But the All-Good Lord, who does not want to see a person in perdition and philanthropicly helps in our troubles, put a good thought into the soul of His saint, the holy Priest Nicholas, and by secret inspiration sent him to a husband perishing in soul, for comfort in poverty and warning from sin. Saint Nicholas, having heard about the extreme poverty of that husband and having learned by God's revelation about his evil intention, felt deep compassion for him and decided with his beneficent hand to draw him, together with his daughters, as from fire, from poverty and sin. However, he did not want to show his beneficence to that husband openly, but decided to give him a generous alms in secret. So St. Nicholas acted for two reasons. On the one hand, he himself wanted to avoid the vain human glory, following the words of the Gospel: Mt.6:1 - "Be careful not to do your charity before people."

On the other hand, he did not want to offend her husband, who was once a rich man, and now has fallen into extreme poverty. For he knew how hard and offensive almsgiving is for one who has gone from wealth and glory to squalor, because it reminds him of his former prosperity. Therefore, St. Nicholas considered it best to act according to the teachings of Christ: Mt.6:3 - "But when you do alms, let your left hand not know what your right hand is doing."

He avoided human glory so much that he tried to hide himself even from the one to whom he was beneficent. He took a large sack of gold, came at midnight to the house of that husband, and throwing this sack out the window, he hurried back home. In the morning the man got up and, finding the sack, untied it. At the sight of gold, he was horrified and could not believe his eyes, because he could not expect such a blessing from anywhere. However, turning over the coins with his fingers, he was convinced that before him, in fact, gold. Rejoicing in spirit and wondering at this, he wept for joy, thought for a long time about who could have done him such a good deed, and could think of nothing. Attributing this to the action of Divine Providence, he incessantly thanked his benefactor in his soul, giving praise to the Lord Who cares for all. After this, he married his eldest daughter, giving her as a dowry the gold miraculously given to him, Saint Nicholas, having learned that this husband acted according to his desire, loved him and decided to do the same mercy on his second daughter, intending to protect and legally marry her from sin. Having prepared another bag of gold, the same as the first one, at night, secretly from everyone, through the same window he threw it into her husband's house. Getting up in the morning, the poor man again found gold. Again he was astonished, and falling to the ground, shedding tears, he said:

- Merciful God, the Builder of our salvation, who redeemed me with Your very blood and now redeems my house and my children from the networks of the enemy with gold, You Yourself show me a servant of Your mercy and Your human-loving goodness. Show me that earthly Angel who saves us from sinful death, so that I can find out who uproots us from poverty that oppresses us and delivers us from evil thoughts and intentions. Lord, by Your mercy, secretly done to me by the generous hand of Your saint unknown to me, I can give my second daughter in marriage according to the law and thereby avoid the nets of the devil, who wanted to increase my already great death with a nasty profit.

Having thus prayed to the Lord and thanked His grace, that husband celebrated the marriage of his second daughter. Trusting in God, the father had an undoubted hope that He would give the third daughter a lawful spouse, again granting with a secretly beneficent hand the gold needed for this. In order to find out who and from where brings him gold, the father did not sleep at night, lying in wait for his benefactor and wanting to see him. It wasn't long before the expected benefactor appeared. The saint of Christ, Nikolai, quietly came for the third time, and, stopping at his usual place, threw the same bag of gold through the same window, and immediately hurried to his house. Hearing the sound of gold thrown through the window, that husband ran as fast as he could after the saint of God. Catching up with him and recognizing him, because it was impossible not to know the saint by his virtue and noble birth, this man fell at his feet, kissing them and calling the saint the deliverer, helper and savior of souls who had come to extreme death.

“If,” he said, “the Great Lord in mercy had not raised me with your bounty, then I, an unfortunate father, would have perished long ago along with my daughters in the fire of Sodom. Now we are saved by you and delivered from a terrible fall into sin.

And many more similar words he said to the saint with tears. As soon as he lifted him from the ground, the saint took an oath from him that he would not tell anyone about what happened to him for the rest of his life. Having said much more to his benefit, the saint let him go to his house.

Of the many works of mercy of the saint of God, we have told only about one, so that it would be known how merciful he was to the poor. For we would not have enough time to tell in detail how generous he was to the needy, how many hungry he fed, how many he clothed the naked and how many he redeemed from moneylenders.

After this, the Monk Father Nicholas wished to go to Palestine in order to see and bow to those holy places where the Lord our God, Jesus Christ, walked with His most pure feet. When the ship sailed near Egypt and the travelers did not know what awaited them, Saint Nicholas, who was among them, foresaw that a storm would soon rise, and announced this to his companions, telling them that he saw the devil himself entering the ship so that everyone drown them in the depths of the sea. And at that very hour, unexpectedly, the sky was covered with clouds, and a violent storm raised a terrible commotion on the sea. The travelers were horrified and, despairing of their salvation and expecting death, they prayed to the Holy Father Nicholas to help them, who were perishing in the depths of the sea.

“If you, the saint of God,” they said, “do not help us with your prayers to the Lord, then we will immediately perish.”

Commanding them to be of good courage, to place their hope in God, and without any doubt to expect a speedy deliverance, the saint began earnestly to pray to the Lord. Immediately the sea calmed down, there was a great silence, and general sorrow turned into joy.

The overjoyed travelers gave thanks to God and His saint, the holy father Nicholas, and were doubly surprised - and his prediction of a storm and the end of sorrow. After that, one of the sailors had to climb up the mast. Descending from there, he broke off and fell from the very height into the middle of the ship, killed himself to death and lay lifeless. Saint Nicholas, ready to help before it was required, immediately resurrected him with his prayer, and he got up, as if waking up from a dream. After this, having raised all the sails, the travelers continued their voyage safely, with a fair wind, and calmly landed on the coast of Alexandria. Having healed many sick and demon-possessed people here and comforted the mourners, the saint of God, Saint Nicholas, again set off along the intended path to Palestine.

Having reached the holy city of Jerusalem, Saint Nicholas came to Golgotha, where Christ our God, stretching out His most pure hands on the cross, brought salvation to the human race. Here the saint of God poured out warm prayers from a heart burning with love, sending thanks to our Savior. He went around all the holy places, everywhere doing fervent worship. And when at night he wanted to enter the holy church for prayer, the closed church doors opened by themselves, opening an unobstructed entrance to the one for whom the heavenly gates were also opened. Having stayed in Jerusalem for quite a long time, Saint Nicholas intended to retire to the desert, but was stopped from above by a Divine voice, admonishing him to return to his homeland. The Lord God, who arranges everything for our benefit, did not deign that the lamp, which, by the will of God, was to shine for the Lycian metropolis, remained hidden under a bushel, in the desert. Arriving on the ship, the saint of God agreed with the shipbuilders to take him to his native country. But they planned to deceive him and sent their ship not to Lycian, but to another country. When they sailed from the pier, Saint Nicholas, noticing that the ship was sailing along a different path, fell at the feet of the shipbuilders, begging them to send the ship to Lycia. But they did not pay any attention to his prayers and continued to sail along the intended path: they did not know that God would not leave His saint. And suddenly a storm came up, turned the ship in the other direction and quickly carried it towards Lycia, threatening the evil shipbuilders with complete destruction. Thus, carried by Divine power across the sea, Saint Nicholas finally arrived in his fatherland. In his gentleness, he did no harm to his evil enemies. He not only did not get angry and did not reproach them with a single word, but with a blessing he let them go to his country. He himself came to the monastery, founded by his uncle, Bishop of Patara, and called Holy Sion, and here for all the brethren he turned out to be a welcome guest. Having received him with great love, as an angel of God, they enjoyed his divinely inspired speech, and, imitating the good morals with which God adorned His faithful servant, they were edified by his life equal to the angels. Having found in this monastery a silent life and a quiet haven for contemplation of God, Saint Nicholas hoped to spend the rest of his life here indefinitely. But God showed him a different path, for he did not want such a rich treasure of virtues, with which the world should be enriched, to remain enclosed in a monastery, like a treasure buried in the ground, but that it be open to everyone and a spiritual purchase be made by it, acquiring many souls. . And then one day the saint, standing in prayer, heard a voice from above:

“Nicholas, if you wish to receive a crown from Me, go and strive for the good of the world.

Hearing this, Saint Nicholas was horrified and began to think about what this voice wants and requires from him. And again I heard:

“Nicholas, this is not the field on which you must bear the fruit that I expect; but turn and go into the world, and may my name be glorified in you.

Then Saint Nicholas understood that the Lord required him to leave the feat of silence and go to the service of people for their salvation.

He began to think about where he should go, whether to his fatherland, the city of Patara, or to another place. Avoiding the vain glory among his fellow citizens and fearing it, he planned to retire to another city, where no one would know him. In the same Lycian country there was the glorious city of Myra, which was the metropolis of all Lycia. Saint Nicholas came to this city, led by God's Providence. Here he was not known to anyone; and he dwelt in that city like a beggar, having nowhere to lay his head. Only in the house of the Lord did he find shelter for himself, having in God the only refuge. At that time, the bishop of that city, John, the archbishop and primate of the entire Lycian country, died. Therefore, all the bishops of Lycia gathered in Myra to elect a worthy one to the vacant throne. Many men, revered and prudent, were intended to be John's successors. There was great dissent among the electors, and some of them, moved by divine zeal, said:

– The election of a bishop to this throne is not subject to the decision of people, but is the work of God's building. It is fitting for us to make a prayer so that the Lord Himself will reveal who is worthy to take such a dignity and be the shepherd of the entire Lycian country.

This good advice met with universal approval, and everyone indulged in fervent prayer and fasting. The Lord, fulfilling the desire of those who fear Him, listening to the prayers of the bishops, thus revealed to the oldest of them His good will. When this bishop stood at prayer, a light-shaped man appeared before him and ordered him to go to the church doors at night and see who would enter the church first.

“This one,” He said, “is My chosen one; accept him with honor and make him archbishop; This husband's name is Nicholas.

The bishop announced such a divine vision to the other bishops, and they, hearing this, intensified their prayers. The bishop, having received the revelation, stood at the place where it was indicated to him in the vision, and awaited the arrival of the desired husband. When the time came for the morning service, St. Nicholas, prompted by the spirit, came to the church first of all, for he had the custom of getting up at midnight for prayer and arriving earlier than others for the morning service. As soon as he entered the narthex, the bishop, who had received a revelation, stopped him and asked him to tell his name. Saint Nicholas was silent. The bishop again asked him the same question. The saint meekly and quietly answered him:

- My name is Nicholas, I am a slave of your shrine, Vladyka.

The pious bishop, hearing such a brief and humble speech, understood both by the very name - Nicholas - predicted to him in a vision, and by the humble and meek answer that before him was the same man whom God was pleased to be the first altar of the Worldly Church. For he knew from Holy Scripture that the Lord looked upon the meek, silent, and trembling at the word of God. He rejoiced with great joy, as if he had received some secret treasure. Immediately taking Saint Nicholas by the hand, he said to him:

“Follow me, child.

When he honorably brought the saint to the bishops, they were filled with divine sweetness and, comforted by the spirit that they had found a husband indicated by God Himself, they took him to church. The rumor about this spread everywhere and faster than birds, countless people flocked to the church. The bishop, who had received the vision, turned to the people and exclaimed:

“Receive, brethren, your shepherd, whom the Holy Spirit Himself anointed, and to whom He entrusted the care of your souls. He was not appointed by a human assembly, but by God Himself. Now we have the one we wanted, and we found and accepted the one we were looking for. Under his rule and guidance, we will not lose hope that we will stand before God on the day of His appearing and revelation.

All the people gave thanks to God and rejoiced with unspeakable joy. Unable to bear human praises, Saint Nicholas for a long time refused to accept holy orders; but yielding to the zealous pleas of the council of bishops and the whole people, he entered the episcopal throne against his will. He was prompted to this by a divine vision that had been before the death of Archbishop John. This vision is narrated by Saint Methodius, Patriarch of Constantinople. One day, he says, Saint Nicholas saw at night that the Savior was standing before him in all His glory and was giving him the Gospel adorned with gold and pearls. On the other side of himself, St. Nicholas saw the Most Holy Theotokos placing the hierarch's omophorion on his shoulder. After this vision, a few days passed, and the Archbishop of Mir John died.

Remembering this vision and seeing in it the obvious favor of God, and not wanting to refuse the zealous entreaties of the council, Saint Nicholas accepted the flock. The Synod of Bishops with all the church clergy consecrated him and celebrated lightly, rejoicing over the God-given pastor, St. Nicholas of Christ. Thus, the Church of God received a bright lamp, which did not remain under a bushel, but was placed in its proper episcopal and pastoral place. Honored with this great dignity, Saint Nicholas rightly ruled the word of truth and wisely instructed his flock in the teaching of the faith.

At the very beginning of his ministry, the saint of God said to himself:

- Nikolai! The rank you have taken requires you to adopt different customs, so that you live not for yourself, but for others.

Desiring to teach his verbal sheep virtues, he did not hide, as before, his virtuous life. For before he spent his life secretly serving God, Who alone knew only his deeds. Now, upon his acceptance of the bishopric, his life became open to everyone, not out of vanity before people, but for their benefit and the increase of the glory of God, so that the word of the Gospel would be fulfilled: Matt. 5:16 - “So let your light shine before people so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

St. Nicholas in his good deeds was, as it were, a mirror for his flock and, according to the words of the Apostle, 1 Tim. 4:12 - "be a model for the faithful in word, in life, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

He was mild-tempered and mild-tempered, humble in spirit and shunned all vanity. His clothes were simple, his food was fasting, which he always ate only once a day, and then in the evening. He spent the whole day in labors worthy of his rank, listening to the requests and needs of those who came to him. The doors of his house were open to everyone. He was kind and accessible to everyone, he was a father to orphans, a gracious giver to the poor, a comforter to those who cry, an assistant to the offended, and a great benefactor to everyone. To assist him in the administration of the church, he chose two virtuous and prudent counselors, invested with the rank of presbyter. These were famous men throughout Greece - Paul of Rhodes and Theodore of Ascalon.

So St. Nicholas grazed the flock of verbal Christ's sheep entrusted to him. But the envious crafty serpent, never ceasing to raise up a battle against the servants of God and not enduring prosperity among people of piety, raised persecution against the Church of Christ through the impious kings Diocletian and Maximian. At the same time, a command went out from these kings throughout the empire that Christians should reject Christ and worship idols. Those who disobeyed this command were ordered to be compelled to do so by imprisonment and severe torment, and, finally, to be put to death. This storm breathing with malice, due to the zeal of the zealots of darkness and wickedness, soon reached the city of Mir. Blessed Nicholas, who was the leader of all Christians in that city, freely and boldly preached Christ's piety and was ready to suffer for Christ. Therefore, he was seized by wicked torturers and imprisoned along with many Christians. Here he stayed for a long time, enduring severe suffering, enduring hunger and thirst, and tightness in prison. He fed his fellow prisoners with the word of God and gave to drink the sweet waters of piety; affirming in them faith in Christ God, strengthening them on an indestructible foundation, he urged them to be firm in the confession of Christ and to suffer diligently for the truth. In the meantime, freedom was again granted to the Christians, and piety shone like the sun after dark clouds, and there came, as it were, a kind of quiet coolness after a storm. For the Lover of mankind, Christ, having looked upon His own property, exterminated the wicked, having cast down Diocletian and Maximian from the royal throne and destroyed the power of the zealots of Hellenic wickedness. By the manifestation of His Cross to Tsar Constantine the Great, to whom He was pleased to entrust the Roman power, "and raised up" the Lord God to His people a "horn of salvation" (Luke 1:69). Tsar Constantine, knowing the One God and placing all hope in Him, by the power of the Holy Cross defeated all his enemies and commanded to destroy idol temples and restore Christian churches, dispelled the vain hopes of his predecessors. He freed all those imprisoned for Christ in dungeons, and, having honored them, as courageous soldiers, with great praises, he returned these confessors of Christ, each to his own fatherland. At that time, the city of Mira again received its pastor, the great bishop Nicholas, who was awarded the crown of martyrdom. Carrying Divine grace in himself, he, as before, healed the passions and ailments of people, and not only the faithful, but also the unfaithful. For the sake of the great grace of God that dwelt in him, many glorified him and marveled at him, and everyone loved him. For he shone with purity of heart and was endowed with all the gifts of God, serving his Lord in reverence and truth. At that time, there were still many Greek temples, to which wicked people were attracted by the devil's suggestion, and many of the worldly inhabitants were in perdition. The bishop of the Most High God, animated by the zeal of God, went through all these places, destroying and turning to dust the temples of idols and purifying his flock from the filth of the devil. Thus, wrestling with the spirits of malice, Saint Nicholas came to the temple of Artemis, which was very large and richly decorated, representing a dwelling pleasant for demons. Saint Nicholas destroyed this temple of filth, razed its high building to the ground and scattered the very foundation of the temple, which was in the ground, through the air, taking up arms more against demons than against the temple itself. The crafty spirits, unable to endure the coming of the saint of God, let out mournful cries, but, defeated by the prayer weapon of the invincible warrior of Christ, St. Nicholas, they had to flee from their dwelling.

The faithful Tsar Constantine, wishing to establish the faith of Christ, ordered to convene an ecumenical council in the city of Nicaea. The holy fathers of the council expounded the right teaching, cursed the Arian heresy and, together with it, Arius himself, and, confessing the Son of God equal in honor and co-eternal with God the Father, restored peace in the holy Divine Apostolic Church. Among the 318 fathers of the cathedral was St. Nicholas. He courageously stood against the impious teachings of Arius and, together with the holy fathers of the council, confirmed and betrayed to everyone the dogmas of the Orthodox faith. The monk of the Studian monastery, John, tells of St. Nicholas that, inspired, like the prophet Elijah, by zeal for God, he shamed this heretic Arius at the cathedral not only in word, but also in deed, hitting his cheek. The fathers of the cathedral were indignant at the saint and for his impudent deed they decided to deprive him of the rank of bishop. But our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and His Blessed Mother, looking from above at the deed of St. Nicholas, approved of his bold deed and praised his divine zeal. For some of the holy fathers of the cathedral had the same vision, which the saint himself received even before his appointment to the bishopric. They saw that on one side of the saint stands Christ the Lord himself with the Gospel, and on the other, the Most Pure Virgin Theotokos with an omophorion, and they give the saint the signs of his dignity, which he was deprived of. Understanding from this that the boldness of the saint was pleasing to God, the fathers of the cathedral stopped reproaching the saint and gave him honor as a great saint of God. Returning from the cathedral to his flock, Saint Nicholas brought him peace and blessings. With his mellifluous lips, he taught the whole people a sound doctrine, stopped wrong thoughts and reasoning at the very root, and, having denounced the heretics who were hardened, insensible and inveterate in malice, drove them away from Christ's flock. Just as a wise farmer cleanses everything that is on the threshing floor and in the winepress, selects the best grains, and shakes off the tares, so the prudent worker on the threshing floor of Christ, St. Nicholas, filled the spiritual granary with good fruits, while he fluttered the tares of heretical delusion and swept far away from the wheat of the Lord. Therefore, the Holy Church calls it a shovel, which blows the tartar teachings of Arius. And he was truly the light of the world and the salt of the earth, for his life was light and his word was diluted with the salt of wisdom. This good shepherd had great care for his flock, in all its needs, not only feeding it on spiritual pasture, but taking care of its bodily food.

Once there was a great famine in the Lycian country, and in the city of Myra there was an extreme shortage of food. Feeling sorry for the unfortunate people dying of hunger, the bishop of God appeared at night in a dream to a certain merchant who was in Italy, who loaded his whole ship with live and intended to sail to another country. Giving him three gold coins as a pledge, the saint ordered him to sail to Myra and sell live there. Waking up and finding gold in his hand, the merchant was horrified, surprised at such a dream, which was accompanied by the miraculous appearance of coins. The merchant did not dare to disobey the orders of the saint, went to the city of Myra and sold his bread to its inhabitants. At the same time, he did not hide from them about the appearance of St. Nicholas that he had in a dream. Having obtained such consolation in the famine and listening to the merchant's story, the citizens gave glory and thanksgiving to God and glorified their miraculous feeder, Great Bishop Nicholas.

At that time a rebellion arose in great Phrygia. Having learned about this, Tsar Constantine sent three commanders with their troops to pacify the rebellious country. These were the governors Nepotian, Urs and Erpilion. With great haste, they sailed from Constantinople and stopped at a certain pier in the Lycian diocese, which was called the Adriatic coast. There was a city here. Since strong sea waves prevented further navigation, they began to expect calm weather at this pier. During the stay, some soldiers, going ashore to buy what they needed, took a lot by force. Since this happened often, the inhabitants of that city became embittered, as a result of which, at the place called Plakomata, disputes, strife and abuse took place between them and the soldiers. Having learned about this, Saint Nicholas decided to go to that city himself in order to stop the internecine strife. Hearing of his coming, all the citizens, together with the governors, came out to meet him and bowed. The saint asked the voivode where and where they were heading. They told him that they were sent by the king to Phrygia to put down a rebellion that had arisen there. The saint admonished them to keep their soldiers in subjection and not allow them to oppress people. After this, he invited the governor to the city and cordially treated them. The governors, having punished the guilty soldiers, calmed the excitement and received a blessing from St. Nicholas. When this was happening, several citizens came from Mir, lamenting and weeping. Falling down at the saint's feet, they asked to protect the offended, telling him with tears that in his absence the ruler Eustathius, bribed by envious and evil people, condemned to death three men from their city, who were not guilty of anything.

“Our entire city,” they said, “is lamenting and weeping and is waiting for your return, lord.” For if you were with us, then the ruler would not dare to create such an unrighteous judgment.

Hearing about this, the bishop of God grieved spiritually and, accompanied by the governor, immediately set off on his journey. Having reached the place called "The Lion", the saint met some travelers and asked them if they knew anything about the men condemned to death. They answered:

“We left them in the field of Castor and Pollux, being dragged to their execution.

Saint Nicholas went faster, trying to prevent the innocent death of those men. When he reached the place of execution, he saw that many people had gathered there. The condemned men, with their hands tied crosswise and with their faces covered, were already bowing to the ground, stretching out their bare necks and waiting for the blow of the sword. The saint saw that the executioner, stern and furious, had already drawn his sword. Such a sight left everyone in horror and sorrow. Combining rage with meekness, the saint of Christ freely passed among the people, without any fear snatched the sword from the hands of the executioner, threw it on the ground, and then freed the condemned men from their bonds. He did all this with great boldness, and no one dared to stop him, because his word was powerful and Divine power appeared in his actions: he was great before God and all people. The men saved from the death penalty, seeing themselves unexpectedly returned from near death to life, shed hot tears and let out cries of joy, and all the people who had gathered there gave thanks to their saint. The governor Eustathius also arrived here and wanted to approach the saint. But the saint of God turned away from him with contempt, and when he fell at his feet, he pushed him away. Invoking God's vengeance on him, Saint Nicholas threatened him with torment for his unrighteous rule and promised to tell the tsar about his actions. Convicted by his own conscience and frightened by the threats of the saint, the ruler asked for mercy with tears. Repenting of his untruth and wishing for reconciliation with the great father Nicholas, he laid the blame on the city elders, Simonides and Eudoxia. But the lie could not help but be revealed, for the saint knew well that the ruler condemned the innocent to death, having been bribed with gold. For a long time the ruler begged to forgive him, and only then, when he realized his sin with great humility and with tears, did the saint of Christ grant him forgiveness.

At the sight of all that had happened, the governors who arrived together with the saint were amazed at the zeal and goodness of the great bishop of God. Having been honored with his holy prayers and having received from him a blessing on their way, they went to Phrygia to fulfill the royal command given to them. Arriving at the place of the rebellion, they quickly suppressed it and, having fulfilled the royal commission, returned with joy to Byzantium. The king and all the nobles gave them great praise and honors, and they were honored to participate in the royal council. But evil people, envious of such glory as governors, took enmity towards them. Thinking evil against them, they came to the governor of the city, Eulavius, and slandered those men, saying:

- Voevodas do not advise good, because, as we have heard, they innovate and plot evil against the king.

To win over the ruler to their side, they gave him a lot of gold. The governor reported to the king. Hearing about this, the king, without any investigation, ordered those commanders to be imprisoned, fearing that they would not flee secretly and fulfill their evil intentions. Languishing in prison and conscious of their innocence, the governors wondered why they were thrown into prison. After some time, the slanderers began to fear that their slander and malice would come to light and that they themselves might suffer. Therefore, they came to the ruler and earnestly asked him not to let those men live so long and hasten to condemn them to death. Entangled in the nets of gold-loving, the ruler had to bring the promise to the end. He immediately went to the king and, like a messenger of evil, appeared before him with a sad face and a mournful look. At the same time, he wanted to show that he was very concerned about the life of the king and faithfully devoted to him. Trying to arouse the royal wrath against the innocent, he began to make a flattering and cunning speech, saying:

“O king, not one of those imprisoned wants to repent. They all persist in their evil intent, never ceasing to plot against you. Therefore, they were ordered to immediately betray them to torment, so that they would not warn us and would not complete their evil deed, which they planned against the governor and you.

Alarmed by such speeches, the king immediately condemned the governor to death. But since it was evening, their execution was postponed until morning. The prison guard found out about this. Having shed many tears in private about such a disaster that threatens the innocent, he came to the governors and said to them:

“It would be better for me if I didn’t know you and if I didn’t enjoy a pleasant conversation and a meal with you. Then I would have easily endured separation from you and would not have grieved in my soul for the misfortune that has come upon you. Morning will come, and the last and terrible parting will befall us. I will no longer see your faces dear to me and will not hear your voice, for the king ordered you to be executed. Bequeath to me what to do with your estate, while there is time and death has not yet prevented you from expressing your will.

He interrupted his speech with sobs. Having learned about their terrible fate, the governors tore their clothes and tore their hair, saying:

- What enemy envied our life for the sake of which we, like villains, are condemned to death? What have we done for which we should be put to death?

And they called by the names of their relatives and friends, making God Himself a witness that they had done no evil, and wept bitterly. One of them, by the name of Nepotian, remembered Saint Nicholas, how he, having appeared in the Worlds as a glorious helper and good intercessor, delivered three husbands from death. And the governors began to pray:

- God of Nicholas, who delivered three men from unrighteous death, now look at us, for we cannot be helped by people. A great misfortune has come upon us, and there is no one who would deliver us from the misfortune. Our voice was interrupted before the departure from the body of our souls, and our tongue dries up, burned by the fire of heartfelt sorrow, so that we cannot offer prayer to You. Ps.79:8 - "Soon let Thy bounty precede us, for we are very exhausted." Tomorrow they want to kill us, hurry to help us and save us innocent from death.

Heeding the prayers of those who fear him, and like a father pouring out bounty on his children, the Lord God sent to the condemned to help his holy saint, the great bishop Nicholas. That night, while sleeping, the saint of Christ appeared before the king and said:

“Get up quickly and free the warlords languishing in the dungeon. They have been slandered to you, and they suffer innocently.

The saint explained the whole matter to the king in detail and added:

“If you do not listen to me and do not let them go, then I will raise a rebellion against you, similar to the one in Phrygia, and you will die an evil death.

Surprised at such boldness, the king began to reflect on how this man dared to enter the inner chambers at night, and said to him:

“Who are you that you dare to threaten us and our country?”

He replied:

– My name is Nikolai, I am a bishop of the Metropolis of Mir.

The king was perplexed and, getting up, began to think about what this vision meant. Meanwhile, on the same night, the saint appeared to the ruler Eulavius ​​and announced to him the same thing about the condemned as to the king. Rising from sleep, Evlavy was afraid. While he was thinking about this vision, a messenger from the king came to him and told him about what the king had seen in a dream. Hastening to the king, the ruler told him his vision, and both of them were surprised that they saw the same thing. Immediately the king ordered to bring the governor from the dungeon and said to them:

- With what sorcery did you bring such dreams to us? The husband who appeared to us was very angry and threatened us, boasting of soon bringing abuse upon us.

The governors turned to each other in bewilderment, and, knowing nothing, looked at each other with tender eyes. Seeing this, the king relented and said:

- Do not be afraid of any evil, tell the truth.

They answered with tears and sobs:

“King, we do not know any sorcery and did not plot any evil against your state, may the All-Seeing Lord Himself be a witness in that. If we deceive you, and you learn something bad about us, then let there be no mercy and mercy neither for us nor for our kind. From our fathers we learned to honor the king and, above all, to be faithful to him. So now we faithfully guard your life and, as is typical of our rank, we have steadily carried out your instructions to us. Serving you diligently, we subdued the rebellion in Phrygia, put an end to internecine strife, and sufficiently proved our courage by the very deeds, as those who know this well testify. Your power used to shower us with honors, but now you armed yourself with fury and ruthlessly condemned us to a painful death. So, king, we think that we suffer only for one zeal towards you, for which we are condemned, and instead of the glory and honors that we hoped to receive, the fear of death overtook us.

From such speeches the tsar came to emotion and repented of his rash act. For he trembled before the judgment of God and was ashamed of his royal purple, seeing that he, being a legislator for others, was ready to create lawless judgment. He looked graciously at the condemned and meekly conversed with them. Listening with emotion to his speeches, the governors suddenly saw that Saint Nicholas was sitting next to the tsar and promising them forgiveness with signs. The king interrupted their speech and asked:

- Who is this Nikolai, and what husbands did he save? – Tell me about it.

Nepotian told him everything in order. Then the king, having learned that Saint Nicholas was a great saint of God, was surprised at his boldness and his great zeal in protecting the offended, freed those governors and said to them:

“It is not I who will give you life, but the great servant of the Lord Nikolai, whom you called for help. Go to him and give him thanks. Tell him and from me that I have fulfilled your command, so that the saint of Christ will not be angry with me.

With these words, he handed them a golden gospel, a golden censer adorned with stones, and two lamps, and commanded them to give all this to the Church of the World. Having received miraculous salvation, the governors immediately set off. Arriving in Myra, they rejoiced and rejoiced at the fact that they were again worthy to see the saint. They brought great gratitude to St. Nicholas for his miraculous help and sang: Ps.34:10 - “Lord! who is like you, delivering the weak from the strong, the poor and needy from his robber?

They distributed generous alms to the poor and needy and returned home safely.

Such are the works of God, by which the Lord magnified His saint. The fame of them, as if on wings, swept everywhere, penetrated across the sea and spread throughout the universe, so that there was no such place where they would not know about the great and wondrous miracles of the great bishop Nicholas, which he did by the grace bestowed on him from the Almighty Lord .

Once travelers, sailing on a ship from Egypt to the Lycian country, were subjected to strong sea waves and storms. The sails were already torn by the whirlwind, the ship was shuddering from the blows of the waves, and everyone despaired of their salvation. At this time, they remembered the great bishop Nicholas, whom they had never seen and only heard about him, that he was a quick help to everyone who called him in trouble. They turned to him with a prayer and began to call for his help. The saint immediately appeared before them, entered the ship and said:

- You called me, and I came to your aid; do not be afraid!

Everyone saw that he took the helm and began to steer the ship. Just as once our Lord Jesus Christ forbade the wind and the sea (Matthew 8:26), the saint immediately commanded the storm to stop, remembering the words of the Lord: John 14:12 - “He who believes in Me, the works that I do, and he will create."

So, the faithful servant of the Lord commanded both the sea and the wind, and they were obedient to him. After this, the travelers, with a favorable wind, landed at the city of Miram. Coming ashore, they went to the city, wanting to see the one who delivered them from trouble. They met the saint on the way to the church and, recognizing in him their benefactor, they fell at his feet, offering him thanks. Marvelous Nikolai not only delivered them from misfortune and death, but also showed concern for their spiritual salvation. In his perspicacity, he saw in them with his spiritual eyes the sin of fornication, which removes a person from God and deviates from the observance of the commandments of God, and said to them:

“Child, I implore you, think within yourself and correct yourself in your hearts and thoughts to please the Lord. For even though we hid ourselves from many people and considered ourselves righteous, nothing can be hidden from God. Therefore, strive with all diligence to preserve the holiness of the soul and the purity of the body. For as the Divine Apostle Paul says: “Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will punish him” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).

Having instructed those men with soulful speeches, the saint let them go in peace. For the saint was in his disposition like a loving father, and his gaze shone with divine grace, like that of an angel of God. From his face emanated, as from the face of Moses, a bright ray, and those who only looked at him were of great benefit. For those who were aggravated by some kind of passion or spiritual sorrow, it was enough to turn their gaze to the saint in order to receive consolation in their sorrow; and he who conversed with him was already prospering in good. And not only Christians, but also infidels, if any of them happened to hear the sweet and mellifluous speeches of the saint, came to tenderness and, brushing aside the malice of unbelief that had taken root in them from infancy, and perceiving in their hearts the right word of truth, embarked on the path of salvation.

The great saint of God lived for many years in the city of Myra, shining with divine kindness, according to the words of Scripture: “Like a morning star among the clouds, like a full moon in days, like the sun shining over the temple of the Most High, and like a rainbow shining in majestic clouds, like a flower roses in spring days, like lilies by springs of water, like a branch of Lebanon in summer days ”(Sir.50: 6-8).

Having reached a ripe old age, the saint paid his debt to human nature and, after a short bodily illness, ended his temporary life well. With joy and psalmody, he passed into eternal blessed life, accompanied by holy angels and met by the faces of saints. Bishops of the Lycian country with all the clergy and monks and countless people from all cities gathered for his burial. The holy body of the saint was laid with honor in the cathedral church of the Metropolis of Mir on the sixth day of the month of December. Many miracles were performed from the holy relics of the saint of God. For his relics exuded a fragrant and healing myrrh, with which the sick were anointed and received healing. For this reason, people from all over the earth flowed to his tomb, seeking healing for their illnesses and receiving it. For by that holy world, not only bodily ailments were healed, but also spiritual ones, and evil spirits were driven away. For the saint, not only during his life, but also after his repose, armed himself with demons and conquered them, as he conquers even now.

Some God-fearing men who lived at the mouth of the Tanais River, hearing about the myrrh-streaming and healing relics of St. Nicholas of Christ, resting in the Lycian Worlds, decided to sail there by sea to worship the relics. But the crafty demon, once expelled by Saint Nicholas from the temple of Artemis, seeing that the ship was preparing to sail to this great father, and being angry with the saint for the destruction of the temple and for his exile, planned to prevent these men from completing the intended path and thereby deprive them of the shrine. He turned into a woman carrying a vessel filled with oil and said to them:

– I would like to bring this vessel to the tomb of the saint, but I am very afraid of sea travel, for it is dangerous for a woman who is weak and suffering from a stomach disease to sail on the sea. Therefore, I beg you, take this vessel, bring it to the tomb of the saint and pour the oil into the lamp.

With these words, the demon handed the vessel to the lovers of God. It is not known with what demonic charms that oil was mixed, but it was intended for the harm and death of travelers. Not knowing the disastrous effect of this oil, they fulfilled the request and, taking a vessel, set sail from the shore and sailed safely all day. But in the morning the north wind arose, and their navigation became difficult.

Distressed for many days in a troubled voyage, they lost patience with prolonged sea excitement and decided to return back. They had already sent the ship in their direction, when Saint Nicholas appeared before them in a small boat and said:

- Where are you sailing, men, and why, leaving the former path, are returning back. You can calm the storm and make the way comfortable for sailing. The devil's machinations prevent you from sailing, because the vessel with oil was given to you not by a woman, but by a demon. Throw the vessel into the sea, and immediately your voyage will be safe.

Hearing this, the men threw the demonic vessel into the depths of the sea. Immediately, black smoke and flames came out of it, the air was filled with a great stench, the sea opened up, the water boiled and gurgled to the very bottom, and the water splashes were like fiery sparks. The people on the ship were terrified and screamed out of fear, but an assistant who appeared to them, commanding them to be of good courage and not to be afraid, tamed the raging storm and, having delivered the travelers from fear, made their way to Lycia safe. For immediately a cool and fragrant breeze blew on them, and with joy they sailed safely to the desired city. Bowing to the myrrh-streaming relics of their quick helper and intercessor, they offered thanks to the almighty God and performed prayer singing to the great Father Nicholas. After this, they returned to their country, everywhere and to everyone telling about what happened to them on the way. This great saint did many great and glorious miracles on earth and on the sea. He helped those in trouble, saved them from drowning and brought them out to dry land from the depths of the sea, freed them from captivity and brought the liberated home, delivered them from bonds and dungeons, protected them from being cut with a sword, freed them from death and gave many many healings, the blind - enlightenment, the lame - walking, deaf - hearing, dumb gift of speech. He enriched many who were in squalor and extreme poverty, gave food to the hungry, and was a ready helper in every need, a warm intercessor and a quick intercessor and protector. And now he also helps those who call on him and saves them from troubles. It is impossible to enumerate his miracles, just as it is impossible to describe all of them in detail. East and West know this great miracle worker, and his miracle works are known in all ends of the earth. May the Triune God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in him, and may his holy name be praised by the lips of all forever. Amen.

Miracles of St. Nicholas, which were after his death

M St. Nicholas performed many miracles, not only during his lifetime, but also after his death. Who will not be surprised to hear of his wondrous miracles! For not one country and not one region, but the whole under heaven was filled with the miracles of St. Nicholas. Go to the Greeks, and there they marvel at them; go to the Latins - and there they are amazed, and in Syria they are praised. All over the earth marvel at St. Nicholas. Come to Rus', and you will see that there is neither a city nor a village, where the miracles of St. Nicholas would not be in abundance.

Under the Greek king Leo and under Patriarch Athanasius, the following glorious miracle of St. Nicholas took place. The great Nicholas, Archbishop of Mir, at midnight appeared in a vision to a certain pious old man, poor-loving and hospitable, named Feofan, and said:

- Wake up, Feofan, get up and go to the icon painter Haggai and tell him to paint three icons: Our Savior Jesus Christ the Lord, who created heaven and earth and created man, the Most Pure Lady of the Theotokos, and a prayer book for the Christian race, Nicholas, Archbishop of Mir, for it is fitting for me appear in Constantinople. Having painted these three icons, present them to the patriarch and the whole cathedral. Go ahead and don't listen.

Having said this, the saint became invisible. Awakening from his sleep, that God-loving husband Theophanes was terrified of the vision, immediately went to the icon painter Haggai and begged him to paint three great icons: the Savior of Christ, the Most Pure Mother of God and St. Nicholas. By the will of the merciful Savior, His Most Pure Mother and Saint Nicholas, Haggai painted three icons and brought them to Feofan. He took the icons, placed them in the chamber and said to his wife:

Let us have a meal in our house and pray to God for our sins.

She happily agreed. Theophanes went to the market, bought food and drink for thirty gold pieces, and bringing it home, arranged a splendid meal for the patriarch. Then he went to the patriarch and asked him and the whole cathedral to bless his house and taste brashn and drink. The patriarch agreed, came with the cathedral to Theophan’s house and, entering the upper room, saw that there were three icons: one depicts our Lord Jesus Christ, the other is the Most Pure Mother of God, and the third is St. Nicholas. Approaching the first icon, the patriarch said:

Glory to Thee, O Christ God, Who created all creation. It was worthy to write this image.

Then, approaching the second icon, he said:

- It is good that this image of the Most Holy Theotokos and prayer book for the whole world was also written.

Approaching the third icon, the patriarch said:

- This is the image of Nicholas, Archbishop of Mir. It would not be right to depict him on such a great icon. After all, he was the son of ordinary people, Feofan and Nonna, who came from the villagers.

Calling the master of the house, the patriarch said to him:

- Feofan, they did not tell Haggai to write the image of Nicholas in such a large size.

And he ordered to bring out the image of the saint, saying:

- It is inconvenient for him to stand next to Christ and the Most Pure.

The pious husband Theophanes, having carried the icon of St. Nicholas out of the room with great sorrow, placed it in a cell in a place of honor, and, choosing from the cathedral a cleric, a wondrous and reasonable man, named Callistus, begged him to stand before the icon and magnify St. Nicholas. He himself was very saddened by the words of the patriarch, who ordered the icon of St. Nicholas to be taken out of the room. But the Scripture says: 1 Samuel 2:30 - "I will glorify those who glorify Me." Thus said the Lord Jesus Christ, by whom, as we shall see, the saint himself will be glorified.

Having glorified God and the Most Pure, the patriarch sat down at the table with all his cathedral, and there was a meal. After her, the patriarch stood up, glorified God and the Most Pure One, and, having drunk wine, rejoiced along with the whole cathedral. Callistus at this time praised and magnified the great Saint Nicholas. But there was not enough wine, and the patriarch and those who accompanied him wanted to drink more and be merry. And one of the assembled said:

- Feofan, bring more wine to the patriarch and make the feast pleasant.

He replied:

- There is no more wine, my lord, but the market is no longer sold, and there is nowhere to buy it.

Saddened, he remembered St. Nicholas, how he appeared to him in a vision and ordered him to paint three icons: the Savior, the Most Pure Mother of God, and his own. Secretly entering the cell, he fell before the icon of the saint and said with tears:

Oh Saint Nicholas! Your birth is wonderful and your life is holy, you healed many sick people. I beg you, now bring a miracle to my evil, add more wine to me.

Having said this and having blessed, he went to where the vessels of wine stood; and through the prayer of the holy wonderworker Nicholas those vessels were full of wine. Taking the wine with joy, Theophanes brought it to the patriarch. He drank and praised, saying:

I didn't drink that kind of wine.

And those who drank said that Theophanes kept the best wine at the end of the feast. And he hid the amazing miracle of St. Nicholas.

In joy, the patriarch and the cathedral retired to the house near St. Sophia. In the morning a certain nobleman came to the patriarch, named Theodore, from the village called Sierdal, from Mirsky Island, and begged the patriarch to go to him, for his only daughter was possessed by a demonic illness, and read the holy Gospel over her head. The patriarch agreed, took the four gospels, entered the ship with the whole cathedral and set sail. When they were on the open sea, a storm raised a strong commotion, the ship capsized, and everyone fell into the water and swam, crying and praying to God, the Most Pure Mother of God and St. Nicholas. And the Most Pure Theotokos begged her Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, for a council so that the priestly rank would not perish. Then the ship straightened up, and, by the grace of God, the whole cathedral again entered it. Drowning, Patriarch Athanasius remembered his sin against Saint Nicholas and, crying out, prayed and said:

“O great saint of Christ, Archbishop of Mir, miracle worker Nicholas, I have sinned against you, forgive and have mercy on me, a sinner and a cursed one, save me from the abyss of the sea, from this bitter hour and from vain death.”

Oh glorious miracle - the high-minded humbled himself, and the humble miraculously exalted and honestly became famous.

Suddenly, Saint Nicholas appeared, walking on the sea as if on dry land, approached the patriarch and took him by the hand with the words:

– Athanasius, or did you need help from me, who comes from ordinary people, in the abyss of the sea?

He, barely able to open his mouth, exhausted, said, weeping bitterly:

- Oh Saint Nicholas, great saint, quick to help, do not remember my evil arrogance, deliver me from this vain death in the abyss of the sea, and I will praise you all the days of my life.

And the saint said to him:

- Do not be afraid, brother, here Christ delivers you by my hand. Do not sin anymore, so that the worst does not happen to you. Enter your ship.

Having said this, Saint Nicholas took the patriarch out of the water and put him on the ship, saying:

- You are saved, go again to your ministry in Constantinople.

And the saint became invisible. Seeing the patriarch, everyone cried out:

« WITH lava to you, Christ the Savior, and to you, the Most Pure Queen, the Lady of the Mother of God, who saved our master from drowning.

As if awakening from a dream, the patriarch asked them:

Where am I, brethren?

“On our ship, sir,” they answered, “and we are all unharmed.”

Weeping, the patriarch said:

- Brothers, I have sinned against Saint Nicholas, he is truly great: he walks on the sea, as on dry land, he took me by the hand and put me on the ship; verily, he is quick to help all who call upon him in faith.

The ship quickly sailed back to Constantinople. Leaving the ship with the entire cathedral, the patriarch went to the church of St. Sophia with tears and sent for Feofan, ordering him to immediately bring that wonderful icon of St. Nicholas. When Theophan brought the icon, the patriarch fell before her with tears and said:

- I have sinned, O Saint Nicholas, forgive me a sinner.

Having said this, he took the icon in his hands, kissed it with honor together with the cathedral, and took it to the church of St. Sophia. The next day he founded a stone church in Constantinople in the name of St. Nicholas. When the church was built, the patriarch himself consecrated it on the feast day of St. Nicholas. And the saint healed 40 sick husbands and wives that day. Then the patriarch gave 30 liters of gold and many villages and gardens to decorate the church. And he built an honest monastery with her. And many came there: the blind, the lame, and the lepers. Touching that icon of St. Nicholas, they all left healthy, glorifying God and His miracle worker.

In Constantinople lived a certain man, named Nicholas, who lived on needlework. Being pious, he made a covenant never to spend the days dedicated to the memory of St. Nicholas without remembrance of the saint of God. He unremittingly observed this, according to the word of Scripture: Proverbs 3:9 - “Honor the Lord with your possessions and from the firstfruits of all your gains,” and always firmly remembered this. So he reached a ripe old age and, not having the strength to work, fell into poverty. The day of remembrance of St. Nicholas was approaching, and now, thinking about what he should do, the elder said to his wife:

- The day of the great bishop of Christ Nicholas, honored by us, is coming; how can we, the poor, in our poverty, celebrate this day?

The pious wife answered her husband:

“You know, my lord, that the end of our life has come, for old age has overtaken both you and me; even if now we had to end our lives, do not change your intention and do not forget about your love for the saint.

She showed her husband her carpet and said:

– Take a carpet, go and sell it and buy everything you need for a worthy celebration of the memory of St. Nicholas. We have nothing else, and we do not need this carpet, because we do not have children to whom it could be left.

Hearing this, the pious elder praised his wife and, taking the carpet, went. When he walked along the square where the pillar of the holy Tsar Constantine the Great stands, and passed the church of St. Plato, he was met by St. Nicholas, always ready to help, in the form of an honest old man, and said to the one who was carrying the carpet:

Dear friend, where are you going?

“I need to go to the market,” he answered.

Coming closer, Saint Nicholas said:

- Good deed. But tell me how much you want to sell this carpet for, for I would like to buy your carpet.

The elder said to the saint:

- This carpet was once bought for 8 gold coins, but now I will take for it how much you give me.

The saint said to the old man:

- Do you agree to take 6 gold coins for him?

“If you give me so much,” the elder said, “I will gladly take it.

Saint Nicholas put his hand into the pocket of his clothes, took out gold from there and, giving 6 great gold coins into the hands of the old man, said to him:

“Take this, friend, and give me a carpet.”

The elder gladly took the gold, for the carpet was cheaper than this. Taking the carpet from the hands of the elder, Saint Nicholas withdrew. When they dispersed, those present in the square said to the elder:

- Do you see a ghost, old man, that you are talking alone?

For they saw only the old man and heard his voice, but the saint was invisible and inaudible to them. At this time, Saint Nicholas came with a carpet to the elder's wife and said to her:

“Your husband is my old friend; meeting me, he turned to me with the following request: loving me, take this carpet to my wife, for I need to take one thing, but you keep it as your own.

Having said this, the saint became invisible. Seeing an honest husband shining with light and taking a carpet from him, the woman, out of fear, did not dare to ask who he was. Thinking that her husband had forgotten the words she had spoken and his love for the saint, the woman became angry with her husband and said:

- Woe to me, poor, my husband is a criminal and full of lies!

Saying these words and others like them, she did not even want to look at the carpet, burning with love for the saint.

Unaware of what had happened, her husband bought everything necessary for the celebration of the day of memory of St. Nicholas and went to his hut, rejoicing at the sale of the carpet and the fact that he would not have to deviate from his pious custom. When he came home, his angry wife greeted him with angry words:

– From now on, get away from me, for you lied to St. Nicholas. Truly said Christ, the Son of God: Luke 9:62 - "No one who puts his hand on the plow and looks back is reliable for the Kingdom of God."

Having said these words and others like them, she brought the carpet to her husband and said:

“Here, take it, you won’t see me again; you lied to Saint Nicholas and therefore you will lose everything that you have achieved by celebrating his memory. For it is written: “Whoever keeps the whole law and sins in one point, he becomes guilty of everything” (James 2:10).

Hearing this from his wife and seeing his carpet, the elder was surprised and could not find words to answer his wife. He stood for a long time and finally realized that St. Nicholas had performed a miracle. Sighing from the depths of his heart and filled with joy, he raised his hands to heaven and said:

– Glory to Thee, Christ God, who works miracles through St. Nicholas!

And the old man said to his wife:

- For the fear of God, tell me who brought you this carpet, a husband or a woman, an old man or a young man?

His wife answered him:

- The elder, bright, honest, dressed in bright clothes, brought us this carpet and said to me: your husband is my friend, therefore, when he met me, he begged me to bring this carpet to you, take it. Taking the carpet, I did not dare to ask the visitor who he was, seeing him shining with light.

Hearing this from his wife, the elder was amazed and showed her the rest of the gold he had and everything he bought for the celebration of the day of memory of St. Nicholas: food, wine, prosphora and candles.

- The Lord lives! he exclaimed. “The husband who bought a carpet from me and again brought miserable and humble slaves to our house is truly St. Nicholas, for those who saw me in conversation with him said: do you see a ghost? They saw me alone, but he was invisible.

Then both, the elder and his wife, exclaimed, offering thanks to the Almighty God and praise to the great bishop of Christ Nicholas, a quick helper to all who call him with faith. Filled with joy, they immediately went to the church of St. Nicholas, carrying gold and a carpet, and in the church told about what had happened to all the clergy and everyone who was there. And all the people, having heard their story, glorified God and Saint Nicholas, who works mercy with his servants. Then they sent to Patriarch Michael10) and told him everything. The Patriarch ordered to give the elder an allowance from the estate of the church of St. Sophia. And they created a feast of honor, with praise and hymns.

There lived in Constantinople a pious man named Epiphanius. He was very rich and honored with great honor from Tsar Constantine and had many slaves. Once he wanted to buy a boy as his servant, and on the third day of December, taking a liter of gold in 72 gold pieces, he mounted his horse and rode to the market, where merchants, visitors from Rus', sell slaves. It was not possible to buy a slave, and he returned home. Dismounting from his horse, he entered the ward, took out of his pocket the gold that he took to the market, and putting it somewhere in the ward, forgot about the place where he put it. This happened to him from the primordial evil enemy, the devil, who is constantly at war with the Christian race in order to increase honor on earth. Not enduring the piety of that husband, he planned to plunge him into the abyss of sin. In the morning the nobleman called the boy who served him and said:

- Bring me the gold that I gave you yesterday, I have to go to the market.

Hearing this, the lad was frightened, for the master did not give him gold, and said:

“You gave me no gold, sir.

The lord said:

“O evil and deceitful head, tell me, where did you put the gold that I gave you?

He, having nothing, swore that he did not understand what his master was talking about. The nobleman became angry and ordered the servants to tie the boy, beat him without mercy and shackle him.

He himself said:

- I will decide his fate when the feast of St. Nicholas is over - for this feast was supposed to be on the next day.

Imprisoned alone in the temple, the youth cried out with tears to the almighty God, delivering those in trouble:

- Lord my God, Jesus Christ, the Almighty, the Son of the Living God, who lives in the unapproachable light! I cry out to You, for You know the human heart, You are the Helper of the orphans, The deliverance of those in trouble, The consolation of those who mourn: deliver me from this misfortune unknown to me. Create a merciful deliverance, so that my master, having got rid of the sin and iniquity caused to me, glorifies You with gladness of heart, and so that I, Your poor servant, having got rid of this misfortune that unjustly befell me, offer You thanks for Your humanity.

Saying this and the like with tears, adding prayer to prayer and tears to tears, the lad cried out to Saint Nicholas:

- Oh, honest father, Saint Nicholas, deliver me from trouble! You know that I am innocent of what the master says to me. Tomorrow your holiday will come, and I am in great trouble.

Night fell, and the weary boy fell asleep. And Saint Nicholas appeared to him, always quick to help everyone who calls him with faith, and said:

- Do not grieve: Christ will deliver you by me, His servant.

Immediately the shackles fell from his feet, and he stood up and offered up praise to God and Saint Nicholas. At the same hour the saint appeared to his master and reproached him:

- Why did you create a lie for your servant, Epiphanius? You yourself are to blame, for you forgot where you put the gold, but you tortured the lad without guilt, but he is faithful to you. But since you did not plan this yourself, but you were taught by the primordial evil enemy the devil, then I appeared so that your love for God would not dry out. Get up and free the lad: if you disobey me, then great misfortune will befall you yourself.

Then, pointing with his finger to the place where the gold lay, Saint Nicholas said:

- Get up, take your gold and free the boy.

Having said this, he became invisible.

The nobleman Epiphanius woke up in awe, went to the place indicated to him in the chamber by the saint, and found the gold laid by himself. Then, possessed by fear and filled with joy, he said:

- Glory to Thee, Christ God, Hope of the whole Christian race; glory to Thee, Hope of the hopeless, desperate, quick Consolation; glory to Thee, who showed the light to the whole world and the imminent uprising of the fallen in sin, St. Nicholas, who heals not only bodily ailments, but also spiritual temptations.

All in tears, he fell before the honest image of St. Nicholas and said:

- Thank you, honest father, for you saved me, unworthy and sinful, and came to me, thin, cleansed me from sins. What will I repay you for having looked upon me by coming to me.

Having said this and similar things, the nobleman came to the youth, and seeing that the chains had fallen from him, he fell into even greater horror and reproached himself greatly. Immediately he ordered the lad to be released and reassured him in every possible way; he himself was awake all night, thanking God and Saint Nicholas, who delivered from such a sin. When they rang for matins, he got up, took the gold and went with the lad to the church of St. Nicholas. Here he happily told everyone what mercy God and St. Nicholas had bestowed upon him. And everyone glorified God, who works such miracles with His saints. When Matins was finished, the master said to the youth in the church:

“Child, I am not a sinner, but your God, the Creator of heaven and earth, and His holy saint, Nicholas, may they free you from slavery, so that I too may someday be forgiven the untruth that I, out of ignorance, created for you.

Having said this, he divided the gold into three parts; He gave the first part to the church of St. Nicholas, distributed the second to the poor, and gave the third to the youth, saying:

“Take this, child, and you will not be indebted to anyone, except for the one and only Saint Nicholas. I will take care of you like a loving father.

Having thanked God and Saint Nicholas, Epiphanius retired to his house with joy.

Once in Kyiv, on the feast day of the holy martyrs Boris and Gleb, many people flocked from all cities and sat down for the feast of the holy martyrs. A certain Kievan, who had great faith in St. Nicholas and in the holy martyrs Boris and Gleb, got into a boat and sailed to Vyshgorod, to bow to the tomb of the holy martyrs Boris and Gleb12), taking with him candles, incense and prosphora - everything necessary for a worthy celebration. Bowing to the relics of the saints and rejoicing in spirit, he set off home. When he sailed along the Dnieper River, his wife, holding the child in her arms, dozed off and dropped the child into the water, and he drowned. The father began to tear the hair on his head, exclaiming:

- Woe to me, Saint Nicholas, for whether I had great faith in you, so that you would not save my child from drowning! Who will be the heir to my estate; whom will I teach to create in memory of you, my intercessor, a bright triumph? How can I tell your great mercy, which you poured out on the whole world and on me poor, when my child drowned? I wanted to educate him, enlightening him with your miracles, so that after death they would praise me for the fact that my fruit creates the memory of St. Nicholas. But you, saint, not only gave me sadness, but also yourself, for soon the very remembrance of you in my house should cease, for I am old and awaiting death. If you wanted to save a child, you could save him, but you yourself allowed him to drown, and did not save my only-begotten child from the depths of the sea. Or do you think that I do not know your miracles? They have no number, and human language cannot convey them, and I, holy father, believe that everything is possible for you, whatever you want to do, but my iniquities have overcome. Now I understood, tormented by sadness, that if I had kept the commandments of God without blemish, the whole creation would have submitted to me, as to Adam in Paradise, before the fall. Now, all creation rises up against me: the water will drown, the beast will tear to pieces, the serpent will swallow, the lightning will burn, the birds will devour, the cattle will become furious and trample everything, people will kill, the bread given to us for food will not satisfy us and, by the will of God, will be for us. into death. But we, endowed with soul and mind and created in the image of God, do not, however, fulfill the will of our Creator as we should. But do not be angry with me, holy father Nicholas, that I speak so boldly, for I do not despair of my salvation, having you as an assistant.

His wife tore at her hair and beat herself on the cheeks. Finally, they reached the city and the mournful entered their house. Night fell, and here, Bishop Nicholas of Christ, quick to help all those who called him, performed a wondrous miracle, which was not the case in the old days. At night, he took a drowned child from the river and laid it on the choir stalls of the church of St. Sophia, alive and unharmed. When it was time for the morning prayer, the sexton entered the church and heard children crying in the choir stalls. And for a long time he stood in thought:

- Who let a woman into the choirs?

He went to the choirmaster and began to reprimand him; he said that he knew nothing, but the sexton reproached him:

- You are convicted in deed, because the children scream in the choirs.

The man in charge of the choir was frightened and, going up to the castle, saw it untouched and heard a child's voice. Entering the choirs, he saw in front of the image of St. Nicholas a child, all soaked in water. Not knowing what to think, he told the metropolitan about this. After serving Matins, the metropolitan sent to gather people to the square and ask them whose child is lying in the choir stalls in the church of St. Sophia. All the citizens went to the church, wondering where this child came from in the choir, wet with water. The child's father also came to marvel at the miracle, and when he saw him, he recognized him. But, not believing himself, he went to his wife and told her everything in a row. She immediately began to reproach her husband, saying:

– How can you not understand that this is a miracle created by St. Nicholas?

Hastily she went to the church, recognized her child, and, without touching him, fell before the image of St. Nicholas and prayed, with tenderness and tears. Her husband, standing far away, shed tears. Hearing about this, all the people flocked to see the miracle, and the whole city gathered, glorifying God and St. Nicholas. The Metropolitan, on the other hand, created an honest feast, such as is celebrated on the feast day of St. Nicholas, glorifying the Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Troparion (short prayer)

P the rule of faith and the image of meekness, the abstinence of the teacher, reveal thee to your flock, Even the truth of things: for this sake, you acquired high humility, rich in poverty, Father Hierarch Nicholas, pray to Christ God, save our souls.

In ancient times, in the territory of Asia Minor, which today is part of Turkey, the state of Lycia was located. One of its largest and most famous cities in our time was called Patara. There, in the year 270, the great saint of the Christian church, Nicholas the Wonderworker, was born, whose life and miracles became part of the Sacred Tradition, sacredly preserved for many centuries.

Son begged from God

From the life of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, compiled shortly after his blessed Assumption, which followed around the year 345, it is clear that the parents of the future saint of God - Theophanes and Nonna - were deeply pious and pious people. For the virtues and many alms done to the poor and destitute, the Lord sent them a youth who became a quick helper to all true believers and their intercessor before the Throne of the Most High.

They named their first-born son Nicholas, which in Greek means "victor of peoples." This became symbolic in its own way, since in the future many peoples bowed before his name, paying tribute to the great winner of human malice and hatred. Outlining the summary of the life of Nicholas the Wonderworker, one cannot miss the important fact that he was a child begged from God, because, having lived for many years in marriage, Feofan and Nonna had no children, and only through their unceasing prayers did the Lord finally send them the long-awaited happiness.

Ordination to the priesthood

The pious parents eagerly responded to the proposal of their closest relative, the bishop of the city of Patara, who advised them to dedicate their son to God. This archpastor of God, who also bore the name of Nicholas, was the uncle of the future saint, and from an early age took upon himself the work of his spiritual nourishment. Rejoicing at the sight of how the lad, moving away from the temptations of the vain world, constantly sought communion with God, the uncle, with his inner eye, saw in his nephew the future vessel of the true faith. Since that time, the fate of Nicholas the Wonderworker has been inextricably linked with the service of the Church.

After several years spent studying the Holy Scriptures and the teachings of the Church Fathers, Bishop Nicholas ordained his ward to the priesthood. The life of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker says that after the sacrament, the archpastor, turning to the parishioners who filled the temple, said that the Lord showed them "a new sun rising over the earth." His words were truly prophetic.

Having become a presbyter, which, according to the most ancient canons, corresponded to the second degree of priesthood, he worked tirelessly, fulfilling his pastoral mission. Being a mortal, like all the people around him, he strove with all his heart to imitate incorporeal forces, filling his life with fasts and prayers. Such deep self-giving allowed him to ascend to a high level of spiritual perfection and become worthy to rule the Church.

Led by the Christians of Patara

An important event noted in the biography of Nicholas the Wonderworker is the departure of his uncle to Palestine, where he went to worship holy places. Leaving Patara for a long time, the archpastor entrusted the management of all church affairs to his nephew, since he considered him spiritually advanced enough to fulfill such a lofty mission.

Becoming at the head of the church life of the city, Saint Nicholas performed his duties with the same zeal as his uncle, who at that time was in Palestine. This stage of his earthly journey is marked by a very characteristic event, testifying to the commitment of the young presbyter to eternal values.

Soon after the departure of the bishop, the Lord called the parents of Saint Nicholas to His heavenly chambers, and he became the heir to a very significant estate. However, instead of taking advantage of the benefits received and surrounding himself with comfort, he sold all the property he received, and distributed the money to the poor. With this, St. Nicholas exactly fulfilled the covenant of Jesus Christ, given by him to all who wish to gain eternal life.

Charity done in secret

Outlining further the brief content of the life of Nicholas the Wonderworker, one cannot pass by one more episode, which in its entirety shows his readiness to help his neighbor and show concern for the salvation of his soul. It is known that one, formerly a very rich and respected resident of the city of Patara, suddenly went bankrupt and fell into extreme poverty. The blows of fate that followed one after another plunged him into such despair that, seeing no other way to provide himself and his three daughters with food, he set out to give them to fornication, turning his house into a nest of debauchery.

The unfortunate father was already ready to destroy the souls of his young daughters and doom himself to eternal death, but the All-Merciful Lord instilled in the heart of His servant Nicholas the Wonderworker compassion for the perishing family. Secretly from everyone (for Jesus Christ commanded that this is how to do alms), he did a great good deed. Under the cover of night, Saint Nicholas carried purses of gold to this man's house, which helped him get out of poverty and marry his daughters to decent and wealthy people. This is just one example of the mercy inherent in the saint of God, Nicholas the Wonderworker. The life of the saint describes many cases when he fed the hungry, clothed the naked and redeemed insolvent debtors from their lenders.

Path to the holy land

After some time, Bishop Nicholas returned from Palestine, and his nephew, who deservedly acquired the glory of a worthy and respected pastor, also decided to go to the holy land in order to see with his own eyes the places connected by the events described in the New Testament.

The sea voyage to the holy land was another important episode that was included in the biography of Nicholas the Wonderworker, since several miracles are associated with him, glorifying his name. It is known, in particular, that at a time when the ship with the pilgrims sailed past the coast of Egypt, and the sea was almost completely calm, the saint unexpectedly announced to his companions about the approach of a storm that could destroy them. His words were met with doubt, because even the worldly-wise sailors did not see signs of impending trouble at that moment.

However, very soon the sky was covered with clouds, the wind blew and a terrible storm broke out. Waves swept over the ship, and he was ready to plunge into the depths of the sea. Then Saint Nicholas called out to the Lord and begged Him to save them from inevitable death. His words were heard, and soon the storm subsided. The grateful pilgrims glorified God and His faithful servant, who brought them salvation in such a miraculous way.

Following the description of this miracle, the life of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker contains a story about the resurrection by him of a sailor who fell off the mast and crashed to death on the deck flooring. It is known that the Lord grants grace for the accomplishment of such lofty deeds only to His chosen children, and therefore the return to life of a person who until recently lay on the deck as a cold corpse is proof of his true holiness. The miracles described above, performed by Saint Nicholas on the way to the holy land, became the basis for recognizing him as the patron of travelers.

Worship of holy places

Having made a stop in Alexandria and healed many who were suffering there, the holy saint of God continued on his way and safely arrived in Palestine. In the holy city of Jerusalem, he poured out his warm prayers to the Lord, standing on the stones of Golgotha, which became witnesses of His torment on the Cross for the salvation of the human race. He also went around other places connected with the earthly life of Jesus Christ, offering prayers everywhere and glorifying God.

In the book of the life of Nicholas the Wonderworker, it is described, in particular, how the doors of one Jerusalem church locked at night opened before him by themselves, testifying to the fact that the entrance to the temple of God is unhindered for those for whom the gates of Heaven are open. Having stayed in the holy land for a long time, Saint Nicholas wanted to retire to the desert, and there, exhausting himself with ascetic exploits, continue serving God, but a voice from above commanded him to return to his homeland.

Acceptance of the archbishopric

Returning to Lycia, the saint of God did not settle in Patara, because there his name was surrounded by universal reverence, and he tried to avoid worldly glory. He chose the large and populous city of Mira as his place of residence, where no one knew him. However, even there his holiness did not remain hidden from people. By the will of God, St. Nicholas was soon able to take the vacant position of archbishop and head of the entire Lycian church.

Having accepted the rank of archpastor, Saint Nicholas in everything was an example for his numerous flock to follow. The doors of his house were constantly open for all those in need of help and support. Imitating the holy apostles, whose successor he was, the saint carried the word of God to people, but, in addition, he became a support in their earthly life, trying, if possible, to be useful to everyone. That is why it has become a tradition to offer prayers to Nicholas the Wonderworker for help in work and in all other worldly affairs.

Test strip of flesh and spirit

For several years, the saint peacefully tended the flock of God entrusted to him, until the enemy of the human race planted hatred for Christians in the hearts of the two impious kings Maximian and Diocletian. They issued a decree according to which all those who professed the teaching of Christ and did not want to renounce it were to be thrown into prison, and then handed over to torture and death. Among the other prisoners who suffered for their faith was Archbishop Nicholas, beloved by all. Once in prison, he endured suffering with extraordinary courage and supported those around him with his archpastoral word.

But the all-merciful Lord did not allow the wicked to commit lawlessness for a long time. The power of the ungodly kings collapsed, and Emperor Constantine I the Great, who succeeded them on the throne, made Christianity the state religion. One of his first acts was the convening of the Ecumenical Council in the city of Nicaea, at which the holy fathers of the church, among whom was the archbishop of the Lycian city of Myra, cursed the heretical teaching of the wicked Arius. The life of Nicholas the Wonderworker, a brief summary of which formed the basis of this story, reproduces with all the details the scene of his fiery speech, which served as the triumph of true Christian teaching.

Archpastoral service to God and people

Returning to the Worlds, the archpastor of God continued his service, as before, zealously protecting the souls of the townspeople from the tares of heretical teachings and at the same time protecting them from the arbitrariness of unrighteous rulers. Thus, by the power given to him by God, the saint delivered from death three men condemned to execution on false charges. He also forced some governors, who were heading to Phrygia to pacify the rebellion, to keep the soldiers entrusted to them from looting and robbery, and then, when, returning to Byzantium, they became victims of malicious slander, he saved their lives.

Another clear evidence that the Lord gave Nicholas the Wonderworker the strength to command the winds and waves can be an episode also described in his life. From the pages of this book, we learn how once a ship sailing from Egypt was caught in a storm, and the sailors in despair mentally appealed to the well-known and highly revered Archbishop of Mir of Lycia with a plea for salvation. The saint immediately appeared to them and ordered the storm to calm down. The wind immediately died down, the waves calmed down, and, standing at the helm of the ship, the saint of God helped the sailors to safely reach the shore.

Death and beginning of posthumous veneration

Having lived a long life in the Worlds and devoted himself entirely to serving God, the saint reposed in the year 345. All the archpastors of the Lycian land, accompanied by numerous clergy and laity, gathered for his burial. The body of the deceased was placed in the cathedral church and soon became myrrh-streaming, and miracles of healing began to take place around him. The rumor about them quickly spread throughout the country, and thousands of sick and crippled hurried to the burial place. Since that time, the posthumous veneration of Nicholas the Wonderworker began, quickly stepping beyond the borders of Lycia and becoming a tradition of the entire Christian world.

Transfer of relics to the city of Bari

The relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker rested in the city of Myra for several centuries, but over time, Asia Minor was completely conquered by the Arabs, and many tombs of Christian saints were defiled. In 792, such a threat loomed over the tomb of Nicholas the Wonderworker, but a detachment of Janissaries sent to plunder it mistakenly opened a nearby burial.

In 1087, Italian merchants made an attempt to save the shrine from imminent desecration, and at the same time to raise the religious prestige of their city of Bari. By cunning they found out the place where the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker are located and, opening the tomb, stole them. Having delivered the priceless cargo to their hometown, the merchants were greeted with general rejoicing. Since then, Bari has become one of the most visited centers of Christian pilgrimage. Today, as in many past centuries, believers from all over the world flock to it to bow to one of the most famous and revered saints.

Relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker is such a significant figure in the minds of Christians around the world that the need to bow to his relics is common to people from all over the world. Since not all of them can go on a pilgrimage, the Church meets them halfway and periodically gives them the opportunity to venerate the shrine in their homeland. So, in May 2017, the ark with the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker was delivered to Moscow. This became a significant event in the religious life of all Russia.

They stayed in the Cathedral of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker until mid-July and after that they were transferred to St. Petersburg. During their stay in the capital, 1.8 million people came to bow to the Mir Lycian saint, and about a million more believers venerated them in the city on the Neva. After that, on July 28, the precious ark returned to Italy again.

Veneration of Nicholas the Wonderworker in Russia

Despite the importance of such a significant event, it should be noted that in Russia itself there are many temples where the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker are located, albeit in the form of fragments of an extremely small size, which, however, does not deprive them of their fertile power. This is quite understandable, since Archbishop Mir of Lycia, or, as the people call him, Nikola the Pleasant, is one of the most revered of the Orthodox Church. And, accordingly, over the centuries, maximum efforts were made to ensure that the particles of his relics became a national treasure.

It is known that the veneration of the saint spread widely in Rus' as early as the 11th century, and at the same time a holiday was established in his honor, timed to coincide with the day of the transfer of honest relics from the World of Lycia to the Italian city of Bari. Currently, his memory is celebrated twice a year ─ on December 6 (19) and July 29 (August 11). Prayers to Nicholas the Wonderworker for help in work, family life and various everyday affairs are offered up by Orthodox believers both on holidays and on weekdays. The text of one of them is given in our article. It contains a request for help in "real life", that is, in all aspects of life, including the work that brings us our daily bread.

Temples were erected in honor of Nicholas the Wonderworker in many cities of the country. One of the most famous among them is the St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral in St. Petersburg, built in 1762 by the architect S. I. Chevakinsky. A photo of this amazing masterpiece of Russian baroque is placed at the end of the article.

Many episodes of the life path of the saint of God became the plots of paintings telling about his service to God, but, undoubtedly, the most complete picture of him can be obtained by reading the life of Nicholas the Wonderworker, a summary of which is the basis of this article.

Name: Saint Nicholas, Nicholas the Wonderworker, Nicholas the Pleasant, Saint Nicholas, Nicholas the World of Lycian, Santa Claus

Place of Birth: the city of Patara (the territory of modern Turkey)

Activity: bishop, archbishop, Orthodox saint, miracle worker

Nationality: Greek

Height: 168 cm

Family status: single, never married

A place of death: the city of Mira, the province of Lycia (the city of Demre, modern Türkiye)

Burial place: originally the city of Myra, then in 1087 65% of the relics were transferred to Italy, the city of Bari, in 1098 the other 20% of the relics were transferred to Venice on the island of Lido, the remaining 15% of the relics were scattered around the world

Revered: Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Old Eastern churches

Day of veneration (celebration): August 11 (July 29) - birth, December 19 (6) - death, May 22 (9) - transfer of relics

Patron: sailors, travelers, innocent convicts, children

This article answers the following questions about St. Nicholas the Wonderworker:

Where are the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker kept?
Transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas
Establishment of the feast of St. Nicholas
Relics of Saint Nicholas
St. Nicolas day
When does Saint Nicholas arrive?

Who is Nicholas the Wonderworker?
What does Saint Nicholas bring?
st nicholas day tradition
What helps Nicholas the Wonderworker?
Where are the relics of St. Nicholas?
Where are the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker?
When is the day of memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker?
What date is St. Nicholas Day?

Biography of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. Biography of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

It is unlikely that today there will be a person who would not have heard about one of the most revered saints in the Christian world - St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

His fame is great, his icons are among the most sought after in Orthodox church shops. But with all this, few know the true biography and life of St. Nicholas.

The world knows St. Nicholas under various names: Nicholas the Wonderworker, Nicholas the Pleasant, St. Nicholas, Nicholas of Myra and even Santa Claus.

Unfortunately, practically no confirmed historical information about the biography, life and work of Nicholas the Wonderworker has come down to us, and those that have come down raise a lot of questions because of the mixing of the lives of two different saints in them - Nicholas of Myra and Nicholas of Zion of Patara.

The first and only ancient source in which the life of St. Nicholas is given is a set of manuscripts written in the 6th century and known as "The Acts of the Stratilates".

"The Acts of the Stratilates" is a dozen manuscripts, withstood five editions. It is in the very first and most ancient manuscript of the "Acts on the Stratilates" that the life of Nicholas the Pleasant is first told, and in it, unlike subsequent editions, the story about Nicholas the Wonderworker is most concise and devoid of any pomp and detail. All subsequent editions are a further revision of the first, with the addition of all sorts of new facts and miracles from the life of St. Nicholas. The most detailed and pompous is the third edition, written much later. It is interesting that until today there is no translation of "deeds" into Russian.

Thus, to this day, among a dozen different biographies of Nicholas, the most famous of them remain the Acts of the Stratilates, as well as the Life of St. Nicholas, compiled in the 10th century by Simeon Metaphrast.

Brief biography of Nicholas the Wonderworker

According to the "Acts", Nicholas lived in the III-IV centuries of our era. And this, perhaps, is all that we know today about the life of the saint: the exact dates of birth and death (day and year) of Nicholas the Wonderworker are unknown and are still the subject of controversy among historians. So, unfortunately, all the dates given in the literature related to the biography of Nicholas are very, very approximate and cannot be documented.

Nevertheless, relying on "acts", it is generally accepted that Nikolai was born around 270 year of our era. Nicholas's family lived in the city of Patara, on the territory of modern Turkey (now the city of Demre) on the Mediterranean coast. At that time it was one of the richest Greek colonies of the Roman Empire.

Nikolai's parents were Greek by nationality and had a good income. "Acts" called the names of the parents of Nicholas - Feofan (Epiphanius) and Nona. However, historians question this statement, believing that Feofan and Nona were the parents of another Nicholas, also an archbishop and also a miracle worker - Nicholas of Zion. According to historians, this mistake crept in due to the fact that in the VI century in the "acts" they simply mixed the biographies of two Nikolaev Wonderworkers (Nicholas of Myra and Nicholas of Zion). Be that as it may, but St. Nicholas Mir of the Lycian Wonderworker, a historical figure that really existed.

Nikolai was born when his parents were already in old age. From an early age he received a good education, knew how to write and read, was devout and aspired to the study of Holy Scripture.

When Nicholas reached his youth, his uncle, the local Bishop Nicholas of Patara, seeing the Christian zeal of his nephew, first made Nicholas a reader, and after a while elevated him to the rank of priest.

Over time, Nikolai's uncle began to trust his nephew so much that when he went on trips, he completely left the management of the diocese to him.

After the death of his parents, Nicholas inherited a large fortune, but choosing to serve God, he distributed his inheritance to needy people.

In the bishopric of the city of Patara, Nicholas served as a priest from about 280 to 307.

Nicholas was about forty years old when, after the death of the bishop of a neighboring city, he, miraculously, by the decision of the Holy Council, was appointed bishop of the city of Myra. Thanks to this appointment, Nicholas received a prefix to his name and became the Bishop of Mir of Lycia, from which another name of his came - Nicholas of Myra.

All the next 30 years until his death, Nikolai spent his life in this city of the World, where he died about 340 of the year.

Where is Saint Nicholas buried?

Information about the burial place of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is not replete with variety and indicates that St. Nicholas was buried in the church of "St. Nicholas" in the city of Demre (former Mira).

But for a thoughtful reader of the life of a saint, here questions begin to arise, but how was it? And before our eyes, a whole detective story is unfolding with the funeral of the Wonderworker in the church of St. Nicholas.

Tomb of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

So, when Nicholas the Wonderworker died around the year 334, the temple of "Saint Nicholas" did not yet exist, and the question naturally arises - where was the original burial of Nicholas, if the temple did not yet exist?

All sources cite evidence that the temple of "St. Nicholas" was built only in the 4th century, immediately after the death of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. And this automatically means that at first Nicholas the Wonderworker was buried somewhere else, and only then, after the construction of the temple was completed, his relics were transferred to the temple sarcophagus. After all, the builders could not erect a temple, trampling on the grave of a bishop.

But it turns out that there is an answer to this question - the body of Bishop Nicholas was buried in the most ordinary grave near the Church of St. Sion, in which he served for many years.

It must be said that by the time of the burial of the saint, Christianity simply did not yet have the custom of burying people within the walls of a church. This custom was legalized only in 419 at the Council of Carthage. Apparently, around the same time, a decision was made to reburial the remains of Nicholas in the hay of the new church.

The very first building over the tomb of St. Nicholas was erected in 336 by the stratilates (Roman military leaders) who arrived in Myra to honor Nicholas, about the death they did not know.

"they found the place where his honest body lay ... [and] honored Nicholas by building a portico"

Presumably it was a chapel over the tomb of the Bishop of the World of Lycian Nicholas the Wonderworker.

Church of St. Nicholas

In general, there are a lot of questions about the Church of St. Nicholas.

Let's start with the fact that when visiting this temple, the guides say that the church of "Saint Nicholas" was built on the foundation of the Hellenic (pagan) temple of Artemis and show the mosaic that belonged to the ancient temple preserved on the floor.

Interestingly, in some writings, the destruction of this, then still pagan, temple is personally attributed to Nikolai Ugodnik, raising this action almost to the rank of miracles performed by Nikolai as bishop.

But historians refute that Nicholas could have participated in the destruction of the Temple of Artemis at all and point out that the Temple of Artemis was destroyed 200 years before the birth of Nicholas by a banal earthquake that occurred in the second century.

History can surprise. And the relics of St. Nicholas were destined to rest in a Christian church built on the foundation of a pagan temple of the Greek goddess Artemis.

But the peace of the temple only dreamed of - the temple of "St. Nicholas" was constantly subjected to looting and destruction, and the relics of the saint themselves had no rest.

Already 100 years after the completion of construction and the transfer of the relics of Nicholas in the 5th century, the temple was destroyed by an earthquake.

It was restored in the 6th century. But the restored temple also did not stand untouched for long, in the 7th century it was again destroyed by the Arabs during the next raid.

For the next hundred years, the temple stood dilapidated, until a new temple of "St. Nicholas" was rebuilt in the 8th century.

600 years passed, and in the XIV century the temple was again destroyed. A strong earthquake caused a change in the course of the local river Miros and the temple of "St. Nicholas" was buried under tons of silt and mud and disappeared from human eyes for many centuries until the 19th century. And only in the 19th century, an accident made it possible to discover the remains of the temple and start excavating it.

Excavations of the temple are also replete with detective details and intrigues.

When, during the Crimean War, in 1853, the Russians ended up in Turkey, they became interested in the Church of St. Nicholas. Soon, on behalf of Princess Anna Golitsyna, the Russians bought this land from the Ottoman Empire and formed a Russian settlement there.

Excavations and restoration began on the site of the temple. Russian settlers were drawn to a permanent place of residence, to the redeemed land. The Turks did not like this, and they decided to terminate the deal, return the lands bought by the Russians, and return the settlers to Russia.

Soon the government of the Ottoman Empire canceled the deal, expelled all Russian settlers from this territory, but forgot to return the money taken for the sale. Today, when asked to return the money spent, Turkey replies that, they say, the land was bought from the Ottoman Empire, so you demand a refund from it.

The excavations of the temple by the Russians stopped in 1860, and the next excavations of the St. Nicholas Church, almost completely located in the thickness of alluvial deposits, began only 100 years later in 1956 and continued until 1989.

Today, the church of "St. Nicholas" is not a functioning temple, but is a paid museum, and only once a year on December 6, church services are held here in memory of the death of Nicholas the Wonderworker (it is believed that Nicholas died on December 6, 343).

Fortunately, by the time the temple was flooded by the river, the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker were no longer in them; by this time, the relics of the saint had already been transported to Italy almost three centuries ago.

When visiting this temple of "Saint Nicholas", tourists are shown a sarcophagus, in which the relics of the saint supposedly rested.

It is interesting that pagan drawings and symbols are clearly visible on the sarcophagus, and everything shows that this sarcophagus was made back in pagan times for the burial of some important pagan.

It turns out that either this pagan sarcophagus was reused, but already for the repose of the body of the saint, or simply Nicholas simply simply could not be buried in an ancient pagan coffin. Riddles, riddles.

Another fact that deserves attention is that after the theft of the relics in 1087, in none of the chronicles of those years there is any mention of any sarcophagus, on the contrary, the Italians boasted of their intention in the church of St. Nicholas "to break her platform and carry away the sacred body." As Archimandrite Antonin Kapustin wrote in the 19th century in 1087, “Bari sailors did not see any tombs in the church.”

Transfer of the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker to the Italian city of Bari and to the island of Lido

Meanwhile, the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas to Italy in the 11th century was a banal theft, however, thanks to which the relics of St. Nicholas were preserved for current generations.

And it was like that.

After the death of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, those who venerate the grave began to notice that after visiting the temple of "St. Nicholas" and worshiping his relics, they began to receive healing. Naturally, the news of the miraculous properties of the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker spread throughout Byzantium.

The Italians could not pass by such an important shrine and wanted to get it for themselves. And in the XI century, the tomb of Nicholas the Wonderworker was plundered by Italian merchants. The tomb of the saint was robbed twice by Italian merchants, in 1087 and 1099.

Today, this abduction is usually called the feast of the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, which Christians celebrate on May 22 (9).

So, thanks to the banal looting of the grave, in the 11th century, most of the relics of Nicholas (almost 85 percent) ended up in two Italian cities - in the city of Bari, and on the island of Lido, where they are to this day.

Of course, calling a spade a spade, such a transfer of relics can be safely called ordinary theft. But, as they say, there is a blessing in disguise - and most historians agree that if it were not for this forced transfer of the relics of the saint, then, most likely, subsequently the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker would have been completely ruined during one of the later Ottoman raids or temple flood.

Upon his death, Nicholas the Wonderworker was buried in his hometown of Mira (now the city of Demre on the territory of modern Turkey) and his remains peacefully lay there for more than 700 years, until circumstances developed in 1087 that allowed the Italians to steal the relics of Nicholas and transport them to Italy.

In the 10th century, Christianity in Italy experienced a dawn - faith firmly entered life, new temples and shrines were built. But there was one problem - all the ancient holy relics were in the East. By this time, the glory of the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker thundered throughout Italy.

It was a troubled time, the Seljuk Turks seized more and more new territories, and Italian merchants, blessed by the holy church, under the pretext of taking “and protecting” the relics of St. Nicholas, went on an expedition.

At this time, the Christians, the inhabitants of Mir, moved to a safer place, located three kilometers from the old city of Mir. In the temple itself, only a few monks remained to serve. According to legend, in 1086 Saint Nicholas:

“appeared in a vision to three people, ordering them to announce to the inhabitants of the city of Mira, who, fearing the Turks, left from here to the mountain, so that they would return to live and guard the city, or they knew that he would move to another place”

Then, in 1087, Nicholas the Wonderworker appeared in a dream to one of the priests of the city of Bar and ordered him:

“Go and tell the people and the entire church council to go and take me out of the world and lay me in this city, for I cannot stay there in an empty place. God wants it that way"

In the morning the priest told about his vision and everyone exclaimed joyfully:

“The Lord has now sent His mercy to the people and our city, for He has honored us to accept the relics of His Saint Nicholas”

To fulfill the will of the Wonderworker, the Italians, under cover of a trade mission, hastily prepared an expedition of three ships to transfer the relics of the saint. It is interesting that the names of all the participants of this expedition have survived to this day, as well as a detailed account of how it took place.

And on April 20, 1087, three merchant ships moored off the coast of modern Turkey. The sailors landed in the port of the city of Mira. Only two people were sent for reconnaissance to the temple of "St. Nicholas", who, returning, reported that there were only four monks in the temple with the relics of the saint. Immediately, 47 people, armed, went to the temple. To begin with, the merchants tried to resolve the issue amicably and offered the monks 300 gold coins for taking the relics of the saint. But the monks did not accept the offer of the merchants and were going to notify the city of the danger. But the Italians did not give them this chance, they tied up the monks and in a hurry plundered the sarcophagus with the relics of the saint. Having wrapped the stolen relics in ordinary clothes, the merchants, without stopping anywhere, quickly reached the port and immediately set sail, heading for Italy. The freed monks raised the alarm, but it was too late, the Italian ship carrying the relics of the saint was already far away.

On May 8, 1087, the ships arrived safely in the city of Barii, the “good” news spread throughout the city. The next day, May 9, the relics of St. Nicholas were solemnly transferred to the Church of St. Stephen. According to eyewitnesses, the solemn transfer of the relics was accompanied by numerous miraculous healings of the sick, which aroused even greater reverence for Nicholas the Wonderworker. Exactly one year later, Pope Urban II consecrated the Church of St. Nicholas, built in honor of the saint, specifically for the storage of the relics of St. Nicholas.

Meanwhile, the inhabitants of the city of Mir, grieving for the loss of the shrine, began to transfer small fragments of the relics of St. Nicholas, left over from the looting. But the fact was that during the hasty abduction, the Italian merchants did not take away all the relics, but only the largest fragments (about 80%), leaving all the small fragments of the body in the sarcophagus.

But, as it turned out later, this measure did not save the relics of the saint from final plunder.

Soon, other Italian merchants from Venice, knowing that the relics of the saint continue to be kept in Myra, decide to complete the work of their compatriots. And in 1099, during the first crusade, the Venetians abducted almost all the remaining relics of the saint, leaving very small fragments of the saint's body in the sarcophagus.

The stolen relics were also taken to Italy, but already to Venice, where they were placed on the island of Lido in the church of St. Nicholas.

In subsequent years, the last of the surviving smallest fragments of holy relics disappeared from Mira and spread around the world.

So, as a result of the looting of the grave, not one of the relics of the saint remained in the native church of Nicholas.

Examinations conducted in 1957 and 1987 showed that the relics located in Bari and Venice belong to one person.

Establishment of the feast of the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas

The feast of the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas was established by Pope Urban II, who in 1088 officially established the liturgical celebration of the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas on May 9th. The Greeks and the Byzantine East did not accept this holiday, but in Rus' it has become widespread and is celebrated to this day.

Where are the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker kept today?

Today, the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker are stored in various places and this is due to the fact that at one time the tomb with the relics of the saint was looted several times.

The bulk of the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker (about 65%) are stored in the Catholic Basilica of St. Nicholas in the Italian city of Bari, under the throne of the altar of the crypt, in the floor of which a round hole was made into the tomb with the relics of St. Nicholas. Through this hole once a year, on the feast of the transfer of relics on May 9, local clergy extract the myrrh secreted by the relics of St. Nicholas.

The other 20% of the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker are kept in a reliquary over the altar of the Catholic church "Saint Nicholas" on the island of Lido in Venice.

The remaining 15% percent of the relics of St. Nicholas are scattered around the world and are stored in various churches and private collections. All of these 15% percent of the small fragments of the saint's relics do not have confirmation of a genetic examination for their correspondence to the relics stored in the city of Baria.

In 1992, an anthropological (important: not genetic) examination was carried out as a result, during which visual comparisons were compared for compliance with the relics of St. Nicholas, stored in Bari and in Venice. After a visual examination of the relics, scientists concluded that the parts of the skeleton belong to the same person and the Venetian part of the relics complements those parts of the skeleton that are missing in Bari.

According to some reports, part of the relics of Nicholas (fragments of the jaws and skull) is in the archaeological museum of Antalya.

In 2005, British anthropologists tried to reconstruct the appearance of St. Nicholas from the skull. It turned out that Saint Nicholas was of a strong build, tall for that time, about 168 cm, he had a high forehead, protruding cheekbones and chin.

In 2017, Turkish archaeologists sensationally stated that the remains stored in Italy belong not to Nikolai Ugodnik at all, but to a completely different person, which allegedly proves the latest excavations, as a result of which a grave with the remains of the true St. Nicholas was found.

Miracles of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

A special place in the "acts" is given to the miracles of Nicholas the Wonderworker:

- standing in infancy during baptism in the font without anyone's support for three hours;

- taking milk only from the right breast of the mother;

- taking mother's milk on Wednesdays and Fridays only once and only in the evening, at the ninth hour;

- the salvation of the father and three girls from the fall;

- visiting the Holy places, during which the doors of all the temples opened by themselves in front of the saint at night;

- the expulsion of the devil from the ship;

- pacification by the power of prayer of the storm;

- the resurrection of a sailor who fell from the mast during a storm;

- saving three innocently convicted citizens from execution;

- salvation from death without guilt of slandered Roman military leaders;

- saving Mira's hometown from starvation;

- the myrrh-streaming of the relics of a saint is attributed to posthumous miracles.

In addition, it is customary to turn to Nicholas for help in health and healing.

There is an opinion among Christians that Nicholas the Wonderworker is the fastest responding saint to requests from those asking for help and intercession.

The Orthodox Church celebrates celebrations in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker three times a year - August 11 on his birthday, December 19, on the day of his death, and May 22 - in memory of the transfer of the saint's relics to the city of Bari.

Nicholas the Wonderworker is considered to be the prototype of the modern Santa Claus. This happened after Nicholas miraculously saved three girls from the fall - for three nights he put a bag of gold in a drying sock for each of the girls. It is from here that the tradition of Christmas gifts, which are customarily placed in a Christmas sock, began.

Santa Claus, translated from English, sounds like St. Nicholas.

What helps Nicholas the Wonderworker

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker is revered as an assistant and protector of sailors and travelers, merchants, a protector of the unjustly convicted and an assistant to children.

Dates of the holidays of Nicholas the Wonderworker

Christians celebrate three holidays in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

Each holiday has its own hymnography.

Orthodox and Catholics celebrate these holidays on different days - this is due to the use of different calendars by Orthodox and Catholics in services (Julian and Gregorian, respectively).

The holidays in honor of St. Nicholas are non-transitory, that is, the dates of these holidays are fixed and are celebrated on the same days every year.

The first day of the year is the day of the arrival of the relics of St. Nicholas in the Italian city of Barii - the Orthodox celebrate it on May 22, the Catholics on May 9 - "Nikola Spring".

Then Christians celebrate the birthday of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker - the Orthodox celebrate on August 11, the Catholics on July 29 - "Nikola the Summer".

At the end of the year, Christians honor the day of the death of St. Nicholas the Pleasant - Orthodox celebrate December 19, Catholics celebrate December 6 - "Nikola the Winter".

What documents mention Nicholas the Wonderworker?

There are only two main documents describing the life and deeds of St. Nicholas, and the second document is based on the events described in the first source.

The first written document testifying to the life and deeds of St. Nicholas was found in the records of Presbyter Eustratius of Constantinople. This document was written 200 years after the miracle worker's death in the 6th century. Meanwhile, the records of Eustratius are nothing more than a small fragment of manuscripts called "The Acts of the Stratilates" (Praxis de stratelatis).

The time of the compilation of manuscripts called "The Acts of the Stratilates" also dates back to the 6th century. Subsequently, these manuscripts were constantly rewritten and supplemented, there are about 10 editions of the Acts of the Stratilates.

Thus, today there are no other well-known written monuments about St. Nicholas, except for the Act of the Stratilates.

The "Acts of the Stratilates" in their genre belong to intravital miracles. it tells us the earliest data about the life and deeds of St. Nicholas of Myra.

The next significant document, shedding light on the deeds and life of St. Nicholas, appeared only at the beginning of the 10th century, when Blessed Simeon Metaphrastus, on the orders of Constantine Porphyrogenic, compiled from the sources that preceded him, including the manuscripts of the Acts of the Stratilates, the full life of St. Nicholas.

But there is one thing. This, however, is due to the fact that some of the life events and deeds described in the biography of Nicholas the Wonderworker have nothing to do with him. Moreover, many of the acts of Nicholas simply completely run counter to historical dates.

In his writings, Archimandrite Antonin wrote that the ancient hagiographers in their manuscripts made an unforgivable mistake by mixing the lives of two wonderworkers with the same name Nicholas.

One of the miracle workers lived in Lycia and was the archbishop of Mount Myra in the 4th century (this is our Nicholas the Wonderworker).

Another miracle worker also lived in Lycia and his name was also Nicholas, only he lived already in the 6th century and was the rector of the Sion Monastery, the Archbishop of Pinara.

When studying documents about the life of Nikolai Pinarsky, it turned out that his parents were called Epiphanius and Nona, and he also had an uncle, and also Bishop Nikolai, who built the Zion Monastery.

Also in the life of Nikolai Pinarsky there is a story about his baptism and how but during the baptism he stood for two hours in the font.

Here is how the Monk Archimandrite Antonin (Kapustin) wrote:

“One can wonder how two faces, both famous, merged in the popular imagination, and then in the memory of the church, and one venerable and holy image, but the fact cannot be denied ... And so there were two St. Nicholas of Lycia.”

Miracles of Nicholas the Wonderworker ... The Resurrection of a Sailor

During one of his first sea voyages from Mira to Alexandria, where he went to study, Nicholas the Wonderworker resurrected a sailor who fell off the ship's mast and crashed to death.

Miracles of Nicholas the Pleasant ... Dowry for girls

Once Nikolai saved the whole family.

In his hometown there lived a bankrupt merchant who, due to the lack of a dowry, could not marry his daughters.

Finding nothing better to improve his plight, the merchant decides to send his adult daughters to work - to engage in prostitution.

Upon learning of this decision, Nikolai decides to save the unfortunate family.

At night, he secretly throws sacks of gold into the merchant's window three times. The merchant, on the received gold, restores not only his well-being, but also gives his daughters in marriage.

According to legend, one of the bags of gold thrown by Nikolai into the merchant's window falls right into the sock, left to dry.

It is thanks to this occasion that today there is a custom to put gifts for children in special socks for gifts from Santa Claus, who today is considered St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

The Miracles of Saint Nicholas…Journey to Jerusalem

During one of his journeys, St. Nicholas to the holy places in Jerusalem also had miracles.

It was so.

At the entrance to the sea, Nikolai saw that the devil was boarding the ship preparing to sail, wanting to cause a storm to sink the ship and the sailors.

Then Nikolai began to pray fervently, and with the power of his prayer to expel the devil from the ship, pacify the storm and save the sailors from inevitable death.

Other miracles took place directly in Jerusalem itself. After St. Nicholas entered the city, on the same night on Mount Zion, the locked doors of all churches opened before him by themselves, allowing Nicholas to all the holy places.

After visiting the holy places, Nicholas suddenly decides to retire to the desert, but immediately, the Divine voice stops him and orders him to return home to continue his service to the Lord.

After returning home, he unexpectedly decides to join the brotherhood of the monastery of St. Zion, where he takes a dinner of silence. But again the Lord intervenes in the Fate of St. Nicholas and announces to him about another path:

“Nicholas, this is not the field on which you must bear the fruit that I expect; but turn and go into the world, and may My Name be glorified in you.”

Miracles of St. Nicholas ... The miraculous becoming of St. Nicholas the bishop of the city of Myra

While Nicholas was serving in his native city of Patara, Archbishop John dies in the neighboring city of Mira and the question arises of choosing a new bishop of the city of Mira. The day of choosing a new bishop arrives. There is no agreement in the camp of the electors. A miracle happens again - one of the bishops of the Cathedral has a vision in a dream in which the Lord points to Nicholas as a new bishop so that he can continue his ministry in the hierarchal rank. The next morning, the Council unanimously decides on the appointment of Nicholas as the bishop of the city of Peace.

Miracles of St. Nicholas ... Miraculous salvation of slandered citizens by St. Nicholas

Another of the miracles performed by St. Nicholas is the salvation from death of three unjustly condemned citizens, who were slandered by the mercenary mayor of the city.

During the execution, when the executioner had already raised the sword over the heads of the unjustly condemned, Saint Nicholas ascended the scaffold, held the raised sword with his hand and stopped the execution. The disgraced mayor fell on his face before Nicholas, repented and asked Saint Nicholas for his forgiveness.

Miracles of St. Nicholas ... Miraculous rescue of three Roman military leaders by St. Nicholas

The next miracle is the miraculous rescue of three Roman military leaders whom the emperor wanted to execute on a false denunciation.

When Nicholas saved the slandered townspeople from death, three Roman military leaders watched the failed execution. They, seeing how Nicholas stopped the execution and shamed the deceitful mayor, were imbued with faith and respect for him.

Upon returning home, they had to appear before the emperor with a report. At first, the emperor was very pleased with them, but after the envious people slandered them by attributing to them a conspiracy against the emperor, he changed his favor to anger and ordered their execution.

By order of the emperor, military leaders are arrested, placed in a dungeon in order to be executed in the morning. Sitting in prison, the military leaders remember St. Nicholas and the miracle that he showed them, the day before stopping the execution of innocent townspeople. Then they begin to fervently pray to Nicholas, asking him for intercession.

And the miracle was not slow to happen. On the same night, Nicholas appears in a dream to both the emperor and the prefect Ablabia. Nikolai, under pain of death, punishes the release of the slandered military leaders.

Waking up in the morning, the emperor orders a new investigation, which confirms the innocence of the slandered military leaders.

Convinced that the military leaders were slandered, the emperor pardons the condemned and gives them gifts - a golden Gospel, a golden censer adorned with stones, two lamps and orders them to transfer these gifts to St. Nicholas in the temple of the city of Myra.

The military leaders go to the city of Mira and betray gifts for the temple, warmly thanks to their intercessor Nicholas the Wonderworker.

Miracles of St. Nicholas ... Miraculous salvation by St. Nicholas of the city of Mira from hunger

Once St. Nicholas happened to save Mira's hometown from starvation. When there were very few food supplies left in the city and it seemed that there was no way to wait for help from anywhere, Nikolai creates a new miracle that saves the city.

In a dream, he appears to one of the Italian merchants, in a dream he tells him about a starving city and asks him to bring food, while promising to pay generously.

In the morning, when the merchant wakes up, he finds three gold coins clutched in his palm, which St. Nicholas sent him as an advance payment for food.

Responding to the request of the saint, the merchant immediately equipped a ship with food without delay. So Saint Nicholas saved the whole city from starvation.

Icon of Saint Nicholas

On the icons of St. Nicholas, it is customary to depict him with a miter on his head, a symbol of his bishopric.

Note

The city of Peace - Türkiye, Antalya province, the modern city of Demre.

Arianism is one of the earliest currents in Christianity that asserted the non-consubstantiality of God the Father and God the Son. It existed from the 4th to the 6th centuries AD. e.