St. Nicholas inspires Orthodox Christians

Source: News-JournalOnline.com
By Rev.Michael Byars

Rev. Michael Byars Rev. Michael Byars
The Eastern Orthodox Christian churches dedicate Dec. 6 each year to the honor and memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

St. Nicholas is a wonderful and very well-known saint from the late third century and early fourth century. Of course, he is the historical figure on whom all the stories of Santa Claus are based. St. Nicholas was born in the Greek village of Patara which is now in Turkey. He was born of very wealthy Christian parents in a time when Christians were persecuted greatly for their faith.

Nicholas’ parents, however, vowed to dedicate him to the service of God. From a very young age he was educated in the Holy Scriptures and lived a life of devotion to his faith. His uncle was the bishop of Patara and recognized early on that Nicholas was called of God. He was ordained a priest while still a young man.

Nicholas was very committed to his ministry and loved by all his flock. He suffered with great perseverance under the persecution of the Roman government of the time and was imprisoned. Eventually, when he was released from prison, Nicholas was made bishop of Myra in Lycia (southern coast of the Asia Minor).

When Nicholas’ parents died he was left an inheritance of their great wealth. He decided to give away all this wealth to those who were in need. He often gave his help to others striving to stay anonymous. Nevertheless, his loving generosity became legendary even in his own time. Throughout the centuries since St. Nicholas lived, many stories and legends have sprung up relating his miraculous compassion. According to Orthodox tradition, Nicholas died at a very old age on Dec. 6 AD 343 in Myra.

In Orthodox Christianity, the honor and commemoration of saints of the caliber of St. Nicholas is a very important part of our spiritual life. These heroes of the faith inspire us and give us wonderful examples of how we should dedicate ourselves to our faith in God. Their lives also encourage us to be Christ-like. Keeping their memory alive also helps to remember that, according to our faith, the saints of old did not cease to exist, but still live on in a mysterious way in the heavenly realm. While we do not believe they are omnipresent or that they are magic, we do believe that we have a mystical communion with them through Christ, and that the power of God is present in their memory just as it was in their godly lives.

During this time of year, Orthodox Christians are in the midst of a time of spiritual preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus Christ (Christmas). We call this the Nativity Fast. In the West this corresponds to Advent. In the Eastern Orthodox we begin this time of spiritual preparation 40 days before Christmas and it lasts until Christmas Eve. This Nativity Fast is a concentrated time of spiritual discipline in which we control our appetites, dedicate ourselves to more consistent prayer, and also try to be concerned less of ourselves and more of others.

We do not stop doing this on Christmas Day, but on Christmas we turn our attention to celebration and joy for the Incarnation of God — the most wonderful miracle of God’s love for mankind in which the eternal and only begotten son of God becomes a man for our salvation. I wish you all a joyful and miraculous Christmas.

The Rev. Michael Byars is pastor of Holy Cross Orthodox Church in Ormond Beach. To suggest a topic or clergy person in Volusia and Flagler counties for this feature, contact Faith editor Denise O’Toole Kelly at 386-681-2214 or denise.kelly@news-jrnl.com.

12/10/2014

See also
A Miracle of St. Nicholas A Miracle of St. Nicholas
Deacon Vladimir Vasilik
A Miracle of St. Nicholas A Miracle of St. Nicholas
Deacon Vladimir Vasilik
The weather forecasts were good, and nothing indicated any trouble. Just the same, on the horizon there appeared at first a large dark cloud, which started growing rapidly. A sharp wind blew, which grew into a strong squall. A storm began. Huge waves started beating against the small ship.The ship was tossed from side to side. Water flowed into the machinery area. The ship was on the verge of stopping, and that would fatal for all.
St. Nicholas the Merciful and Recent Miracles in China St. Nicholas the Merciful and Recent Miracles in China
Commemorated May 9/27, December 6/19; Met. Philaret (Voznesensky)
St. Nicholas the Merciful and Recent Miracles in China St. Nicholas the Merciful and Recent Miracles in China
Commemorated May 9/27, December 6/19
Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky)
The Russians like to call Saint Nicholas “Nikola the Merciful” because his miracles are as numerous as the stars of heaven. I would like to remind you of one touching miracle that shows his mercy. This did not happen once upon a time, long ago; it happened in our time, in the city of Harbin [China], where I lived for over 40 years.
St. Nicholas’ Watchful Eye St. Nicholas’ Watchful Eye
Svetlana Khorkina
St. Nicholas’ Watchful Eye St. Nicholas’ Watchful Eye
Svetlana Khorkina
The heroic achievement of the navigator Albanov who crossed the distance of approximately 420 km, walking on drifting ice to Franz-Josef land, added a glorious page to the history of Russian polar research. This journey had a great scientific significance, and the story itself was well covered in specialized and popular scientific literature of the Soviet period. A famous Russian writer Veniamin Kaverin created the character of navigator Klimov in his novel «Two Captains» with Albanov as his prototype. However the heroic exploits of the navigator is not only the result of his personal courage, but also another evidence of St. Nicholas’ help to «those at sea and travelling».
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