The life of Nicholas the Wonderworker is known to few, despite the fact that he is one of the most revered saints in the Orthodox tradition. Christian books describe where and how this righteous man lived, as well as what miracles he performed. The life of Nicholas the Wonderworker and his deeds will be described in the article.
General information
Nicholas the Miracle Worker, also called the Pleasant, the Myrtle or Hierarch, was born around 270 in Patara, and died around 345. He was an archbishop in the city of Mir (the confederation of ancient Lycia), and after his death he began to be revered as a saint. In the East, he was considered a miracle worker and patron of travelers, orphans and prisoners. In the West - patronizing absolutely all walks of life, but especially children.
The life of Nicholas the Wonderworker is described in various sources, but there was an incident when he was often confused with Nikolai of Zion (Pinarsky) in his early biographies. The fact is that the latter was from the same city and, moreover, was also an archbishop, a miracle worker and a saint.
An interesting fact is that Nicholas the Wonderworker became a type of Santa Claus. The fact is that on the basis of a fact from the life of Nicholas the Wonderworker, namely the case when he donated a dowry to the three daughters of a rich man who went bankrupt, a Christmas tradition appeared to give gifts.
The beginning of life
Considering the life story of Nicholas the Wonderworker, it must be said that he was born in the III century in Patara, which was a Roman province. From early childhood he was very devout and at a young age decided to devote his whole life to Christianity.
It is believed that Nicholas was born in a wealthy Christian family, which had the opportunity to give him an excellent education. Due to the fact that he was often confused with Nikolai Pinarsky, for some time it was believed that his parents were Epifpaniy (Feofan) and Nonna.
Nicholas at a very young age was very successful in studying various sciences, and especially the Holy Scriptures. He spent all day in the temple in prayer, without leaving it, and at night he read scientific books and continued to pray.
Growing up
Bishop Nikolai Patarsky, being his uncle, often saw him at prayers and study. Having discovered his efforts, the bishop made him a cleric (reader) in one of the temples. After some time, a change occurs in the life of Nicholas the Ugodnik (Wonderworker). He becomes a priest, as well as the chief bishop assistant.
It should be mentioned that there is another version, according to which, after a miraculous sign, by decision of the bishops of Lycia, Nikolai, being a layman, was elevated to the rank of Bishop of Mira. According to some sources, such an appointment in the VI century could well have been.
After the death of his parents, Nikolai the Wonderworker inherited a great fortune. He rather unusually disposed of wealth, distributing everything to those in need.
Ministry start
Describing briefly the life of Nicholas the Miracle Worker, it is necessary to mention that he held the sacred service during the time of the Roman emperor Diocletian, as well as Maximian. The first in 303 issued a decree (edict) according to which, the persecution of Christians throughout the Roman Empire became systematic.
However, two years later, Constantius Chlorine became emperor, he stopped the persecution of Christians, but only a year later the new emperor, Galerius, resumed the persecution of believers in Christ. In 311, while near death, he signed an edict on tolerance for believers in Jesus Christ.
Nicholas the Miracle Worker during this period served as a bishop in a city called Peace, it was here that for the first time they began to make incense from resin bearing the same name. He was a fierce fighter against paganism. Some sources say that it was Nicholas who destroyed the temple of Artemis Eleuthera, located in the World (now Demra, Turkey).
Conflicting versions
In the life of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker it is worth noting an episode that is quite controversial. Here is the version that is described in some sources. It says that St. Nicholas, defending the Christian faith, during the Ecumenical Council in 325, gave Aria a slap in the face during a dispute. The latter was also a champion of Christianity, however, some differences were still present. According to Professor and Archpriest V. Tsypin, today there are no ancient sources in which this would be confirmed.
He says that one should not trust this church tradition, which, in essence, is an exaggeration. However, it should be noted that some are sure that this all the same happened. The Life, written by Simeon Metafrast in the 10th century, says only that St. Nicholas resolutely challenged the heresy of Arius. The description of the slap that Nikolai gave Aria for his heresy appeared only at the end of the 17th century in the scripture “The Lives of the Saints”, which was written by Dmitry Rostovsky.
Acts
The life and miracles of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is described in the Life of the Saints. So, for example, it tells how, being quite young, he went to Alexandria to continue his studies and ministry to Christ. He traveled by sea and did one of the miracles by resurrecting a sailor who broke from ship equipment and crashed.
The Life of the Saints also describes a case in which Nicholas the Wonderworker helped three young girls who could not get married due to lack of a dowry. Learning about this, he threw bags of gold into their house, which allowed them to buy a dowry and marry safely.
The Catholic tradition says that a sack of gold thrown by Nicholas the Wonderworker landed right in the stocking, which was dried at the hearth. Hence the tradition to hang socks before Christmas for gifts from Santa Claus (Santa Nicholas).
The salvation of the innocent
In the life of Nicholas the Wonderworker there are facts of the salvation of the innocent, who were sentenced to death. The Acts on the Stratilates says that he pacified the unrest that appeared after Emperor Constantine I sent three commanders with troops to Phrygia to pacify the rebellion. Heading to their destination, the ship with the soldiers stopped to replenish supplies in Andriak, near the city of Mira.
Soldiers often took goods from merchants, which caused serious conflicts. Having learned about this, Nicholas the Wonderworker arrived at the military leaders - Urs, Nepotian and Yerpilion. He told them about the atrocities that the soldiers were doing and convinced them to stop it. After a conversation with Nikolai, the commanders punished the guilty, and such incidents immediately stopped.
At the same time, several inhabitants of Mir came to Nicholas and told him of three innocent people whom the governor Eustathius sentenced to death. The saint, accompanied by military leaders and soldiers, went to the Worlds and stopped the execution, tearing the sword from the executioner. Nikolai the Miracle Worker, thanks to these and other acts, is the patron saint of sailors, innocently convicted, as well as children.
Prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker who changed life
In the Orthodox tradition, they believe that Nicholas helps everyone who asks him. To be heard, believers try to visit the temple, where there are particles of the relics of the saint. There they pray to him each about their sorrows and ask for help.
However, in order to turn and be heard, it is necessary to lead a decent lifestyle, often changing it. It is recommended to avoid the use of alcohol, tobacco and other harmful substances. Subject to these restrictions, the prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is read daily for forty days.
They also pray not only before the relics of the saint, but also before his image, which should be turned to the East. It is advisable to light a lamp or candles during a prayer. According to Orthodox believers who followed these recommendations, a prayer to Nicholas the Miracle Worker really helps everyone in what he asks, sometimes completely changing their lives.
Naturally, atheists treat this with a certain degree of skepticism, but it should be noted that the number of believers does not decrease. Nikolai Ugodnik is being asked for help and support by sailors, innocently convicted and orphans, for whom he is a patron. Moreover, they claim that praying to the saint helps them to get stronger in spirit, believe in their strength and get the desired result.