Today, the Universal Church celebrates the Feast of St. Nicholas, from whom Santa Claus evolved. It is so wonderful and noteworthy that many of the feasts and holidays we celebrate originated from the Church. St. Nicholas is highly honored throughout the world, with many churches dedicated in memory to his holiness and his effective advocacy.
Nicholas was born at Patara in Lycia, a province of Asia Minor. Nicholas’ parents were well off and they died when he was a young man, leaving him many assets. Nicholas filled with generosity and goodness, with empathy thinking about his fellow brothers and sisters, devoted himself to works of charity and the needy he found in his community. For example, a citizen of Patara, with three daughters, lost all of his money. Because of this circumstance of poverty, the three ladies could not find husbands, wherein they were destined to become prostitutes. Nicholas discovered their horrible upcoming fate. He then took a bag of gold and under cover in the dark, threw the money into the window of this citizen’s home. Therefore, the oldest lady now had a dowry and she was soon married. Nicholas did the same act of charity for the other two ladies in the household. However, the father was “on the watch” and he recognized Nicholas as his benefactor. He expressed to Nicholas how happy he was and thankful he was for his love and gratitude to help his family.
At the beginning of the fourth century, Nicholas went to the city of Myra, the capital of Patara in Lycia. It so happened that the Catholic clergy in this episcopal see were electing a new bishop and it happened that the clergy chose Nicholas; obviously, his reputation preceded him.
“As he was the chief priest of the Christians of this town and preached the truths of faith with a holy liberty, Nicholas was seized by the magistrates, tortured, then chained and thrown into prison with many other Christians. But when the great and religious Constantine, chosen by God, assumed the imperial diadem of the Romans, the prisoners were released from their bonds and with them the illustrious Nicholas, who when he was set at liberty returned to Myra.”
Nicholas continued on with his works of charity, taking strong measures against paganism, setting prisoners falsely accused and innocent free and taking care of his people in Myra. It is believed that he was present at the Council of Nicea which arose the Nicene Creed that we say today. Additionally, Nicholas condemned one of the heresies of his time, Arianism, which denied the divinity of Jesus and the Holy Trinity. St. Methodius states that “thanks to the teaching of St. Nicholas the metropolies of Myra alone was untouched by the filth of the Arian heresy.”
St. Nicholas died and was buried in Myra. St. Nicholas is honored as the patron saint of sailors and children. As to sailors, it is said that during his lifetime, he appeared to storm-tossed mariners who asked for his assistance wherein they were brought safely to port. As to children, he is particularly associated with the giving of gifts at Christmas time. With St. Andrew, he is patron of Russia, Greece, Apulia, Sicily and Lorraine.
Let us during this Christmas Season remember this dear saint, be generous to others, giving our love with joy and happiness, always remembering the true meaning of Christmas (Christ’s Mass), the birth of Our Dear Saviour, Jesus Christ, coming into the world through the Blessed Virgin, God Incarnate, and being protected and cared for by the wonderful St. Joseph. LOVE was born to the world. Come Lord Jesus, Come!
Joan
Sources:
- Lives of the Saints, Edited by Michael Walsh.
- One Hundred Saints, Fulfinch Press, AOL Time Warner Book Group.
