Saint Nicholas of Myra

Who is the best-known saint in the Christian Church? Is is Saint Peter? Saint Paul? Saint Mary Magdalene? Although my vote goes to Mary of Nazareth, the mother of our Lord Jesus, many would nominate Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, who died in approximately 342 A.D. There are people in Santa Claus, Indiana who dress up like Nicholas even in July.

Here is a brief biographical sketch of Nicholas from Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2003, a publication of the Episcopal Church USA:

Very little is known about the life of Nicholas, except that he suffered torture and imprisonment during the persecution under the Emperor Diocletian [which lasted from 303 A.D. to about 312 A.D.]. It is possible that he was one of the bishops attending the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325.

Nicholas was honored as a saint in Constantinople in the sixth century by the Emperor Justinian. His veneration became immensely popular in the West after the supposed removal of his body to Bari, Italy, in the late eleventh century. In England almost 400 churches were dedicated to him.

Nicholas is famed as the traditional patron of seafarers and sailors, and, more especially, of children. As a bearer of gifts to children, his name was brought to America by the Dutch colonists in New York, from whom he is popularly known as Santa Claus.

Almighty God, in your love you gave your servant Nicholas of Myra a perpetual name for deeds of kindness both on land and sea: Grant, we pray, that your Church may never cease to work for the happiness of children, the safety of sailors, the relief of the pooor, and the help of those tossed by tempests of doubt or grief; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar, Holy Cross Church Episcopal
Billings, MT
406-208-7314
www.holycrosschurchbillings.org
art: French Postcard