Saint Nicholas the Miracle Worker is one of the most revered saints in Russia. The article tells about the biography, prayers to the saint, it is told when Akathist is reading to Nicholas the Wonderworker, and why this holy saint received such a name.
Biography of St. Nicholas
Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker was born at the end of the 3rd century in the country of Lycia, the city of Patara. Throughout his life, he was able to perform many good deeds and miracles, from which he was loved by the people, this is what the Akathist tells Nikolai the Wonderworker - a hymn, praise to the saint.
Theophanes and Nonna, his pious parents, belonged to a wealthy estate. On the advice of the bishop of Patai, who belonged to Uncle St. Nicholas, he was dedicated to the service of God. Even in his youth St. Nicholas proved himself virtuous: he comprehended the Holy Scriptures, avoided communication with peers and often visited the temple. Very young sv. Nicholas accepted the consecration as a presbyter and gave his whole life to the church and parishioners, observing fasts and making unceasing prayers. After the death of the parents of St. Nikolai spent the inheritance to help the poor.
Once, traveling to Palestine to the Holy Sepulcher, the saint was able to tame a storm at sea. No wonder he was called Nikolai the Miracle Worker. His prayer performed true miracles. Thus, praying over a crashed sailor who fell from the mast, the saint was able to resurrect him.
After visiting the holy places in Jerusalem, sv. Nikolai wanted to retire to the desert. But during the prayer, a divine voice was heard, indicating the need to return to his homeland and change his chosen field. Monastic life was abandoned, and St. Nicholas went to the main city of Lycia - Mira. There, at that time, the archbishop was chosen. The eldest of the priests saw a vision: a bright husband came to him and told him to go at night to the door of the church and wait for the first one to enter it. This is the chosen one of God. His name is Nikolai. As soon as St. Nicholas entered the church, the bishop who had the appearance, stopped him and asked to give his name. St. Nicholas was accepted as a protege of God, who was destined to take the rank of archbishop.
Under the emperor Diocletian, persecution of the church began. Saint Nicholas continued to preach Christianity. For this he was thrown into prison, but even there his spirit was not broken. The oppression of the Christian faith ended only under Emperor Constantine. Archbishop Nicholas of Lycia Mir returned to his parishioners. The saint lived in caring for people, and after his death, believers, reading Akathist to St. Nicholas, are confident in his intercession.
In connection with the contention within the church in 325, the first Ecumenical Council was held, at which the incident occurred. St. Nicholas hit Arius on the cheek, not having endured in the dispute his blasphemy. St. Nicholas was deprived of the rank of bishop. But after several bishops saw Jesus Christ and the Mother of God, standing on both sides of St. Nicholas, his act was regarded as pleasing to God and the dignity was returned to him. St. Nicholas died a deep old man in the Worlds in 343. Now his relics are in Italy, in the city of Bari, in the basilica of St. Nicholas.
Prayers to St. Nicholas
The Akathist consists of 12 stanzas of Ikos and 13 stanzas called kondakas. He tells of the life of a saint and his deeds. Reading the Akathist to Nicholas the Wonderworker, the refrain is repeated in the icos - Rejoice! This is a form of greeting that came from Greece. Usually this form of prayer is performed during divine services and prayers.
Always, both during his life and after death, St. Nicholas remains the protector of all those who are offended, slandered and unhappy. Prayers are addressed to him by women who dream of getting married, while traveling, they seek his intercession. People turning to the saint read Akathist to Nicholas the Wonderworker, and he always fulfills their requests. Helps to find support in life.