Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (19/12)

On December 19, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Saint Nicholas is considered the patron saint of travelers and sailors. And he is one of the most revered saints in the Orthodox world.

Saint Nicholas, who lived in the 3rd-4th centuries, became famous as a great saint of God, which is why people usually call him Nicholas the Pleasant. Saint Nicholas was considered «all representative and intercessor, all mournful comforters, all those who exist in trouble as a refuge, piety as a pillar, faithful as a champion». Christians believe that even today he performs many miracles to help people praying to him.

While making a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Nicholas the Wonderworker, at the request of desperate travelers, calmed the raging sea with prayer. Holding the executioner's sword, Saint Nicholas saved three husbands from death, innocently convicted by the selfish mayor.

Not only believers, but also pagans turned to him, and the saint responded with his constant wonderful help to everyone who was looking for it. Among those he saved from bodily troubles, he aroused repentance for sins and the desire to correct his life.

During his earthly life, he performed so many good deeds for the glory of God that they cannot be listed, but among them there is one that belongs to the number of virtues and to what served as the basis for their performance, which moved the saint to heroism, — his faith, amazing, strong, zealous.

Saint Nicholas died in the mid-4th century in old age. According to church legend, the relics of the saint were preserved incorruptible and exuded a wonderful myrrh, from which many people were healed. In 1087, the relics of Nicholas the Pleasant were transferred to the Italian city of Bar (Bari), where they remain to this day.

The Russian Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Nicholas on December 19 and May 22 (new style), as well as weekly, every Thursday, with special chants. In Russia there are a large number of churches and churches dedicated to the Saint.

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