The Catalog of Good Deeds

1. Miracle At Gregoriou Monastery of Mount Athos

During the eighth year of the abbacy of Elder Athanasios, a wonderful event gave great spiritual joy to the fathers, and revived their devotion to the Bishop of Myra. How can one not break forth in praise when one sees the tangible assistance of a Saint!

There were two brothers, Fr. Michael and Fr. Chrysanthos, who worked in the Monastery's bakery. One day, just as on many others, they were preparing the wheat that was to be ground in the mill. They passed it through a special machine to clean it of dirt and chaff. They were not very happy, however, because the wheat was almost used up and it was difficult to procure more.

Suddenly a little old man came up to their work area. He was short, bald, and poorly dressed, and he held a Gospel in his hand.

"How are you, Fathers? How is it going?"

"Well, glory be to God!"

"Do you have all the wheat you need?"

"What you see is all we have, Grandfather. It is only enough for one baking, and we have to do two bakings a week."

"Don't worry, Fathers. God is great." Shortly afterwards he blessed the wheat and left.

A little while later the two monks said: "We didn't do right to let the old man leave. Let's call him back and give him something to eat."

They ran after him to catch him, but he was nowhere to be found. A strange thing! - One would think he were a young man with wings on his feet to disappear so fast. They asked the other monks, but no one had seen him or knew anything about him.

Little by little they came to realize that the little old man might have been St. Nicholas. There was some doubt, of course, but time took care of that, for they beheld a wonder: the wheat that the old man had blessed lasted for six whole months! It was an obvious miracle.

2. Saint Nicholas Miraculously Saves A Chinese Man

Before Communists came to power in China, there was an icon of St. Nicholas in the Harbin train station, as many Russian immigrants had settled there. The icon was respected by non-Christian Chinese as well as the Russian Orthodox immigrants.

One day a Chinese man, dripping wet, ran into the station, throwing himself down in front of the icon. He was speaking Chinese and it is said he was thanking the saint for saving his life.

Durig the winter, when the Sungari river that flows through Harbin, China, is frozen solid it becomes a short-cut to to from one side to the other.

The ice breaks up in the spring and chunks flow down the river. On that day this man was in a great hurry to get to the other side of the river. Even though the ice was breaking up and floating in the water, he ran across, jumping from floe to floe. Then he slipped and went down under the ice.

As he was beginning to drown, he remembered the train station icon and cried out, "Old man from the train station, help me!"

Then he became unconscious, slipping completely under the ice where he would surely perish.

The very next thing he knew, he was on the riverbank! Freezing water soaked him to the skin, but he alive and well! As fast as he could, the man ran the long distance to the train station. He stopped in front of the icon, throwing himself down, thanking the great hierarch Saint Nicholas for such an amazing miracle of his mercy and love.

3. The Lost Icon of the Kremlin Which Reappeared

One of the twenty towers of the Kremlin is the Tower of Saint Nicholas and is one of the entrances to the Kremlin built in 1492. From the 16th century the icon of St. Nicholas Mozhaisk adorned the tower. Under the gaze of the Saint parades took place and tzars were crowned for 500 years.

In 1812 Napolean set fire to the Kremlin. The Tower of Saint Nicholas was blown over and the top part destroyed. The icon however miraculously survived.

In 1916 the tower was repaired with some additions. During the October Revolution the Gate and Tower of Saint Nicholas Mozhaisk was attacked with explosives, machine guns and grenades. An icon of an angel was destroyed. The icon of the Saint however, despite the holes from the bullets, survived yet a second time. The Bolsheviks covered the icon with a red cloth away from the sight of the faithful. The cloth however was torn and the Muscovites were abkle once more to see the icon.

On 9 May 1918 (the feast of the translation of the relics of St. Nicholas) Patriarch Tikhon called for the procession to run through Red Square where prayers were offered beneath the icon. The Red Army broke up the gathering with gunfire.

In 1934 the icon disappeared. Everyone thought it was destroyed by command of Stalin. The restoration work of 2010 dispelled this rumor. The icon was found!

The workers who had gone up to destroy the icon, putting their lives in danger, did not destroy it but covered it with a metallic plate and metallic cord. The distance from the plaster was ten centimeters, to make it "breathable". The metallic plate was painted over with paint.

The icon was restored and unveiled on 15/28 August 2010 by Patriarch Kirill and President Medvedev.

4. Saint Nicholas Heals A Muslim Woman

A Muslim woman from the Russian Republic of Bashkortostan, who for 4 years underwent tests and treatments to become pregnant, achieved her desire after praying before an icon of St. Nicholas.

"I am a Muslim, but for some reason I believe that the icon helped me", testified the happy mother to Komsomolskaya Pravda.

Her friends advised her to go to church: Her marriage had failed though her diagnosis was like a knife stab to her family; her illness should not have allowed her to become pregnant. It was her first time she went to a church. She was a little scared and did not know how to pray. The parishioners told her to pray from her heart.

She then prayed saying: "Wonderworker Nicholas, help me to acquire a son", and she left a golden chain next to the icon.

After a month she became pregnant and eventually gave birth to a healthy baby.

5. A Miracle Wrought By St. Nicholas in Kiev in the 1920's

It was nearly half a century ago that I first heard of this miracle wrought by St. Nicholas. Never had I chanced to read anything about it in the writings of the Church. I would not want this case of the saintly bishop's help to depart to my grave with me.

During the mid-1940s (I can't recall the exact date), I had to spend the night in the city of Munchen [Munich] in West Germany. The city was in ruins after the war, and I would be forced to spend the night outside. Fortunately, there chanced to be a "Good Samaritan" church-house in the city, and I was provided with its address.

There were two of us in the room. Myself, and a man unknown to me, some 40-45 years of age. We introduced ourselves, each to the other. I do not remember either his name or his surname - and they probably would not have been "real" anyway. We had to sleep on wooden benches and chairs. So, in order to pass the night more quickly, we fell to talking. I can't remember why, but my co-locutor, for some reason or other, asked me whether I was acquainted with the miracle of St. Nicholas that took place in Kiev in the 1920s. I did not know of it, and he related the following tale to me.

In Kiev, at Podol (the northern section of the city), there dwelt an elderly widow with her son and daughter. The old woman dearly loved St. Nicholas and, in all cases of difficulty, would go to his church to pray before the image [obraz] of the saintly bishop [sviatitel'], always receiving consolation and the easing of her misfortune. Her son, seemingly a student, became an officer.

The governments of the city changed frequently: Whites, Reds, a Hetman, a Directory, Poles, Germans, etc. All former officers were arrested on the spot, the old woman's son among them. His sister rushed about from one "department" of the time to another. She ran her legs off, but achieved nothing. But the old woman ran off to St. Nicholas. Long did she pray before his icon; then she returned home, consoled--the saintly bishop will help. She sat down to have a spot of tea, while her daughter's hands simply fell to her sides. O, woe!, her brother had vanished!

The son returned home at dawn of the following day. Famished, beaten, dirty, weary. According to him, a large group of officers under a strong convoy of guards was being led off to Pechersk. This is the hilly section of town, opposite from Podol, by the Kiev-Caves Lavra. There was a large hippodrome there, where horse races were held. Beyond it, there was a grove, and rampart-trenches which had been dug on Peter I's day, as a defense against the Swedes. It was in that grove, by the rampart-trenches, that the shootings took place.

They had come up to the hippodrome when, suddenly, some little old man or other stepped out from around a corner. He approached the convoy-commandant and asked: "Where are you taking them?"

The commandant replied, rudely: "To Dukhonin's H.Q.!" (which meant, in the jargon of the time, "to be shot"). "Go away, old man!" The old man left, but, in doing so, he took the old woman's son by the hand and said: "Let him go. I know him."

Neither the commandant nor the escort-guards replied with even so much as a single word, nor did they hinder him. The little old man led the young fellow out around the corner and, saying, "Go on home to your mother," vanished away somewhere.

The old woman was overjoyed and immediately set off to thank St. Nicholas. The son wanted to do nothing more than to lie down and have a good, long sleep, but his mother took him along with her to the church. He had probably been there on previous occasions, but had been but little interested in anything.

The little old woman led him up to a huge image of the saintly bishop. The son turned ashen-pale and began to tremble. He could only whisper: "Mother, dear, but that's the very same elder who led me to freedom..."

Wondrous is God in His Saints.

Many of the details of this tale were precise and animated. Who had my co-locutor been? Perhaps he had been speaking of himself? I don't know...

-- N. P. F. California 1993

6. The Icon of St. Nicholas Which Appeared By Itself

In the province of Tambov a family bought an old abandoned home. Furthermore the building was deserted and an old door was thrown under the shed.

On a rainy day the daughter went out to the garden and saw an icon above the door. Having venerated it she went home happy saying: "There was a miracle! St. Nicholas the Wonderworker appeared!"

They quickly took the icon to the church in Sechman. When the bishop of Tambov saw it, he said: "Yes, this appears to be a miracle. We did not know anything about this icon and suddenly it appeared. It was revealed to remind us that it escaped from the great persecutions."

Many faithful come to venerate this icon which day after day becomes brighter.

A conservator identified the icon - which was covered by a thick layer of paint, as an icon of the Muscovite School of the 19th century.

7. The Icon of St. Nicholas Which Gushed Myrrh

In August of 2006 an icon of Saint Nicholas in Donetsk of Ukraine began to weep. Large tears of myrrh ran from the eyes for one week. This occurred three moths before an airplane carrying 159 passengers crashed near Donetsk.

8. "Someone Is Knocking On the Window"

The following miracle happened at the beginning of the war in Balasich, a town near Moscow.

The Soloviev family had four children. The mother was on her death bed. Her ten year old daughter Paraskevi stood at the window crying. She suddenly heard a sound on the window. Wiping with her hand the frozen window she saw an old man with a cord wrapped around his shoulder. He said to her: "My girl do not cry. Your mother will not die." Paraskevi quited down and went to tell her neighbors of this.

"My mother will not die. An old man told me."

"Which old man?"

"The one who knocked on my window. He had a cord on his shoulder. He told me that mama will not die."

They showed her some icons. Among them she recognized St. Nicholas who was portrayed with an omophorion and holding a Gospel.

9. The Face of Christ and St. Nicholas Appear On Burnt Icons In Ukraine

An unusual phenomenon occurred in the village Rassivka in the Poltava region of Ukraine: the face of Christ and St. Nicholas appeared on planks after being moved from a burnt area to a home.

"Before the war, our farm belonged to the priest. The old house was bombed by the Germans, and we had to build a new home. About five years ago the shed of the priest was burned. When we started to dismantle the wreckage after the fire, we found two small planks with an image size 10 x 15. We were very surprised that it was not burned. My husband decided not to throw it away", said the 85-year-old Maria Nefortouna.

Now, her fellow villagers come to her home like they go to church to venerate the icons, according to the newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda.

In turn, the husband of the housewife, Basil Bouchanenko said, "It was initially impossible to see something on the boards, it was blurry, and it had a yellowish color, and was hit hard by the beetles."

The icons were moved to the summer kitchen and forgotten about until the grandchildren found them and started playing with them.

"Seeing it, I took a board in my hands and was shocked! On it seemed the face a saint. I went to church, had it sanctified, and then placed it in the most prominent location of the house, next to family photos. There was no doubt that this was an icon. In a few months there appeared the face and the hands of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and even details of his clothing. Some details appeared in just one week ", said Basil Bouchanenko.

The head of the church in Rassivka, Father Bogdan, recounted that "the emergence of these icons" took place before his eyes.

"I remember well how dull was the icon of St. Nicholas, when we sanctified this board, and how clear it is now. It is simply lit up! I have no doubt this was a miracle. To wash or clean the old icons is impossible. These experiments do not go along with that. Whether it is renewed or not. God's will is in everything. A large role was played by the atmosphere in the home and the faith of the people who live there", said the priest.

10. A Strange Miracle of Saint Nicholas in 1956

A true incident which shocked and brought repentance to hundreds of people in the Russian Soviet city of Kuibyshev (modern day Samara), in the year 1956.

In the city of Kuibyshev there lived a family: a pious mother and her daughter Zoë. On the evening of New Years Eve (December 31) of 1956 Zoë invited seven of her girlfriends - and just as many young men - over for dinner and dancing. At that time it was the fast for Christmas* and Zoë’s mother begged her not to plan a dinner, but the daughter insisted on having things her way. That same evening her mother went to church to pray.

All those invited came over, except for Zoë’s fiancé who hadn’t arrived yet. His name was Nicholas. The young ladies and the boys got in pairs and Zoë was left alone. Not knowing what to do and without really thinking, she took down the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker from the wall and said, “I’ll take this Nicholas and I’ll go dance with them,” not paying any attention to her friends, who advised her not to commit such a blasphemous act. “If God exists, let Him punish me,” she said. And so she started to dance, did two or three twirls, when all of sudden there was a fearful noise in the room, a whirlwind, and a blinding light flashed like lightening.

The former joy turned into fright. Everyone fled from the room scared. Only Zoë stood there motionless, with the icon of St. Nicholas stuck to her chest, petrified and frozen like marble. The doctors, who arrived quickly, were not able to bring her to her senses in spite of their attempts. The injection needles, which they tried to stick in her, bent and broke as they hit her marbleized body! They wanted to take her to the hospital, but were unable to move her from her spot. It was as if her feet were nailed to the floor. But her heart was beating! Zoë was alive. However, she was no longer able to eat or drink…

When her mother came back and saw what had happened, she fell unconscious and they took her to the hospital, which she didn’t leave from for a few days. Her faith in the compassion of God and her warm motherly prayers for the forgiveness of her unfortunate daughter, by the Grace of God, restored her vitality.

Zoë came to consciousness and with tears she sought forgiveness and help.

Zoë’s house was surrounded by a crowd of people for the first few days, faithful who came or, even yet, walked from afar: the curious, doctors, and spiritual personalities. But according to an order from the authorities, the house was quickly closed to visitors. There were always two policemen guarding the house, in alternating eight-hour shifts. Some of the guards’ hair turned white, even though they were still young (28-30), from the fright of hearing the terrifying cries that Zoë made every night.

Night after night her mother was next to her praying.

“Mama, pray! Pray, because I’m lost on account of my sins! Pray!” Zoë would cry out.

Because of all the things that were happening they even informed the Patriarch and asked him to pray for Zoë’s recovery. The Patriarch replied, “The one who is punishing her will also have mercy on her!”

From then on, among those who were allowed to visit Zoë were:

1. A professor of medicine of high prestige who came from Moscow. He had confirmed that her heart did not stop beating.

2. Priests, who the mother had invited in order to take St. Nicholas out of Zoë’s hands. But neither were they able to pull the icon away from Zoë’s petrified hands.

3. The Hieromonk Seraphim from the Glinsk desert, who had come to Kuibyshev for the feast of the Nativity, performed the Holy Water service and had blessed the icon. Afterwards he said, “Now we must wait for some sign at Pascha! If nothing happens, it means that the end of the world is drawing near!” showing by these words his deep faith in miracles.

4. The Metropolitan Nicholas, who also read the Paraklesis and said, “We must wait till Pascha for a new miracle,” repeating the saying of the pious hieromonk.

On the eve of the feast of the Annunciation (which that year fell on the Saturday of the third week of Great Lent) some genial elder approached the guards and asked them to allow him to see Zoë. But the police guards refused to allow it. The elder came again the following day, but neither did those guards allow him. The third time, on the day of the Annunciation, the guards allowed him in. They heard with how much compassion he spoke to Zoë as he entered, “Now then, did you get tired from standing?”

A little time passed and when the guards wanted to kick the elder out, he wasn’t to be found in the room…

Everyone was sure that it was Saint Nicholas himself. Thus, Zoë had stayed there standing for exactly 4 months (128 days) until Pascha, which that year had fallen on April 23 (May 6 on the New Calendar).

On the night of the Glorious Resurrection of Christ Zoë started to cry out especially loud: “Pray!”

The nightshift guards started to tremble and asked, “Why are you crying out so frightfully?” Pay attention to her answer. “How dreadful, the earth is burning! Pray! The whole world is lost because of its sins, pray!” From that moment Zoë was revived, her muscles started to become soft; she came back to life. They eventually put her on a mattress but she continued to cry out and call all to pray for the world which is lost because of its sins, for the earth which is burning because of its lawlessness.

“How did you stay living up till now? Who fed you?” they asked her. “Doves, doves fed me” was her answer. From this it was apparent that she had received mercy and forgiveness from the Right hand of the Lord Almighty. The Lord forgave Zoë’s sins, by the attendance of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, and because of her great tribulations and her standing for the duration of 128 days.

All of these events shocked the inhabitants of Kuibyshev and the surrounding areas. Many people again found their faith in God, having seen the miracles, hearing her screams and her entreaties for us to pray for the people who are lost on account of their sins. They returned to the Church with repentance. Those who didn’t wear a cross started to wear one, when at that time you might have paid with your life just for that. The return was so en masse that the churches didn’t have enough little crosses for everyone who sought one.

With fear and tears the people sought forgiveness for their sins, repeating Zoë’s words, “How dreadful, the earth is burning, we are lost because of our sins! Pray! The people are lost because of their lawlessness!”

On the third day of Pascha Zoë left for the Lord, since she had traveled the difficult road of standing for 128 days before the face of the Lord for the forgiveness of all of her sins. The Holy Spirit had preserved her life all of these days for the resurrection of her soul from the death of sin, just as in that eternal day to come it will resurrect her bodily for life everlasting; for that matter, just as her name itself means: Zoë.

11. A Miracle Told By A Monk Of Grigoriou Monastery of Mount Athos

In Beroia of Macedonia there is a Metochion of the Monastery. One or two times a year, always in the summer, we communicated by sea with a small boat from the Monastery. One time I was traveling with two brothers to the Metochion. But between Cassandra and Pelion there was an unusual calm even though we rowed regularly. The annoying lull got me thinking of an inevitable great evil. My concern was lively, without reason. It was something like a premonition. And while the brothers begged me for all of us to take a break from paddling to rest, I urged them to accelerate, as if something was leading me away from imminent danger. We had to reach as soon as possible the coast between Pelion and Olympus. A slight breeze helped us considerably. We reached the shore, we disembarked, and we pulled in the boat.

Meanwhile a cloud appeared above Pelion, which grew increasingly dark. It was a harbinger of terrible evil. What a terrible outburst followed! A rare windy storm, a stove pipe as they say. As we arrived all the residents gathered, and they were amazed and perplexed, looking at us while doing their cross. They confessed that Saint Nicholas rescued us. We stayed a few days, equipped ourselves, got food, and departed. What a spectacle we saw when we returned! Wherever we passed, shipwrecks. All the ships anchored in the ports of Livas and Garbi were stranded or submerged. The entire southwest side of Cassandra, Sithonia and Athos were affected by the storm. As we reached the Monastery we saw a shocking sight: the Litochorino ship full of timber was submerged.

Avoiding any comments, I can only emphasize the vague anxiety I felt as we went. Was it not a profound and vivid intervention of the Saint?

12. A Miracle At Grigoriou Monastery on December 6th

During the abbacy of Elder Symeon, spiritual father of his successor Elder Athanasios, Saint Nicholas looked after the needs of Grigoriou Monastery with a great miracle.

Once, as the 6th of December was approaching, all the fathers were gathered in a meeting. With the help of God, all the preparations for the feast were going well. Only the cooks were worried because they did not have enough fish to feed all the monks. On the day before the feast, in the afternoon, they went to the Abbot.

"Elder," they said, "don't you think we ought to plan for salt cod? If so, we will put it in water to soak."

"No, no! Don't think of that. We'll have fresh fish. St. Nicholas will take care of it."

Meanwhile, the all-night vigil began - Compline, Great Vespers, Litany, then Matins with the Six Psalms, the Kathismata, and so on, one thing after the other. Again the anxious cooks went to the Abbot.

"Elder, now it's even too late to cook salt cod. Should we start cooking some beans?"

"No, no! The fish will come."

This was something the cooks could not understand. How were the fish going to come? And when? Matins was half over! What made the Abbot so sure?

The choir began singing the lauds, and the cooks were getting even more upset. Then suddenly joyful noises were heard from the courtyard. The dock master, gasping and excited, was shouting: "Fathers, come down here! Get baskets and come down! The Saint has made a great miracle!"

What had happened? A large wave had come and strewn the beach with large and succulent bass. It was a gift from God, an obvious miracle of the Saint.Everyone was amazed - especially the cooks. They didn't know what to marvel at first - the miracle of the Saint, or the unshakable faith of the Abbot. At no other feast had they ever had such fresh and tasty fish. The Saint had given them a bountiful - both spiritual and material.

13. St. Nicholas, Patron Saint of the Holy Monastery of Grigoriou

Another miraculous event occurred on a feastday of St. Nicholas during the abbacy of Fr. Symeon. This time, the cellarer informed the Abbot that he would not be able to give any oil to the hermits. (At that time they were accustomed to give a certain amount of oil as a blessing to the poor ascetics who took part in the feast.)

"What is the difficulty?" asked the Abbot.

"We don't have much oil. There is only half a jar left."

"It doesn't matter. Give them what is left."

The cellarer obeyed. Portioning out the oil to the ascetics, he made them happy, but he himself did not feel any great joy. They had a little oil left; now it would be completely gone. These were the thoughts dictated by his logic, and - even more - by his lack of faith. That which followed, however, and which he was the first to ascertain, brought new life to his faith in the providence and power of God. Their kind and compassionate protector, St. Nicholas, again intervened. The level of the oil in the jar did not go down at all, not even by one centimeter. It remained where it was before.

Thus the hermits received their alms, the Monastery suffered no loss, and the monk who was lacking in faith received a valuable lesson.

If someone had the patience to search through the various books and records of the Monastery, he would find countless miracles of St. Nicholas. Many times he protected the Monastery from sure destruction by fire, and saved monks who had fallen down steep cliffs. Many times also he saved boats and ships from certain shipwreck.

In the Katholicon of the Monastery, from the great ring above the chandelier, there hangs a silver model of a schooner. What does it represent? It represents a certain schooner that had come to pick up a load of lumber at the Monastery. The sea was so heavy that it was in danger of foundering. As soon as the sailors called on St. Nicholas, however, the tempest was stilled, and, beyond hope, they were saved from certain death.

Elder Athanasios gave the following advice to his successor Abbot: "The Abbot must be very charitable, as was St. Nicholas, and must assist all who come to the Monastery asking for help. God will never forsake anyone, but will provide so that nothing is lacking."

* All stories about Grigoriou Monastery were written by Archimandrite Cherubim in the book Contemporary Ascetics of Mount Athos.

14. How the Village of Saint Nicholas in Solia Got Its Name

The village of Saint Nicholas in Solia did not have its name from the beginning. But a miracle of St. Nicholas prompted the residence to rename their village.

One day a farmer, while tilling his field, came upon a difficulty. The ploughshare of the plow was caught under a large stone. With a spade the farmer unearthed the stone and pulled it to the surface of the field. There he noticed the stone had a hole at one end equal to another at the other end. The farmer thought that such a stone was useful, and in the afternoon went home carrying it to his yard. Through the hole he passed the cord of his ox to tie him there. In the morning when he woke up, he found his ox dead. He called his neighbors to tell him how his ox died from the stone, since it may have carried demonic energy. His neighbors said his ox died from some grass, and not from the stone. The farmer insisted, however, to the point that one day an old man told him how the ox died. He said it was a miracle of St. Nicholas, because he heard from his grandfather that in the area where the stone was found a church dedicated to St. Nicholas once existed that was destroyed by the Saracenes.

The farmer suspected the old man to be right. One Saturday night St. Nicholas appeared to him and told him that in the area the stone was found there existed his church which was buried deep. He was then ordered to uncover it.

That Sunday the farmer went to church, and after the Liturgy told the villagers of his vision, and begged them to go there with him to uncover the church. Before sunset they followed him, and they found the walls of the church. They dug around the church till the walls came up to their waists, and they were painted. On one wall was an icon of St. Nicholas full-bodied. The villagers then decided to build a church on that spot and named their village after Saint Nicholas.

15. A Miracle of Saint Nicholas in Limassol, Cyprus

The following was written by Sylvia Leonidou - Onesiphorou:

My grandfather, that is the father of my mother, was named John Kyriakides. He served in the small Church of Saint Nicholas as a sexton for more than thirty years. He was an honest, sincere, humble and good man who loved the Church very much and had a great weakness for Saint Nicholas. He always had him as a protector and helper.

The Holy Metropolis of Kition (Limassol belonged to the Metropolis of Kition) granted to my grandfather one of the two houses that were near the church, where today is housed the Parish Center, and he lived with his wife Helen. In another house the priest lived with his family.

One night in winter, when rain came and went, there came a big storm. It was chaos. Thunder was heard from afar and lightning ripped the sky from east to west. Great desolation and deep darkness reigned everywhere. Nor were there lights, nor moon, nor stars, because the sky was covered with black clouds.

My grandfather had lied down early. The midnight hour passed. My grandmother suddenly heard him get out of bed and hurriedly put on his poor jacket, ready to go out of the house. Immediately my grandmother began to yell: "John, where are you going at this hour?" My grandfather replied with a calm and gentle voice: "Don't be afraid Helen. Saint Nicholas came and told me his silver icon dropped to the floor in the church and I'm going to pick it up."

Despite the exhortations of my grandmother for him to not go out on such a fearful and rainy night, my grandfather quickly went to the church without losing time.

After some time he returned soaking wet like a duck, but satisfied. He was in fact correct. The silver icon of St. Nicholas was on the floor of the church, just like the Saint notified. Grandfather picked up the icon with great respect and placed it back in its permanent position. After doing his cross three times he venerated St. Nicholas and locked the door to the church. He returned in the rain to his poor bed to continue his sleep, delighted and happy now that he had done his full duty.

16. Saint Nicholas Appears To A Pious Christian Woman

The following was written by Sylvia Leonidou - Onesiphorou:

My mother Chrystalla Andrew died on 2/3/1992. She was a very quiet and faithful wife and grew up there in the old homes of the Church of St. Nicholas.

One summer afternoon in 1985 while sitting on the porch with my father Andreas Leonidou and my little sister Angela Leonidou and all spoke together, suddenly my mother got up from her chair, opened her arms and shouted: "Welcome, welcome! Pass through." Her face glowed a little strange and seemed too happy. Others who saw and watched her movements and heard her words said they did not understand, but neither could explain why she did what she did.

After a few minutes she sat quietly in her chair. Concerned the others asked her what was wrong and what happened. Then my mother said naturally: "Didn't you see the three bishops who came to our house? Here with us was St. Nicholas, the Apostle Luke and the third I did not understand who it was. All three were dressed in the garments of a hierarch. I told them to pass through, but St. Nicholas told me that they were all in a hurry. Just at that moment St. Nicholas blessed our house and told me not to fear and that all will go well. All three smiled at me, they left from the yard and proceeded toward the Church of St. Nicholas. You did not see that they were here? Why are you asking me?"

My mother at this time was awake and had her senses. Also my mother was a very positive and honest woman, and said with confidence and enthusiasm that which occurred that summer afternoon in 1985.

17. Helen Ilia Speaks Of Her Father

Around 1920 when I was a little girl, we lived here in Saint Nicholas. We had great poverty. My father was a shepherd and had his own herd. One day he said he was going to cut wood. Where he went he hit at a point in a tree and "lost his light" (he was blinded). People said he beat the "table outside that we saw" (the devil).

He visited several doctors and was not cured. He went to various churches. At the end he decided to walk from Saint Nicholas to Saint Barbara in Zakaki. At night, in his sleep, a Saint said: "You went to all the churches and did not come near me."

"Who are you?" asked my father. And he got the reply: "I am St. Nicholas. I want you to come like this ..." and he raised his robes, showing his feet were clean.

My father asked me to boil water and he bathed. We took him along the reverse path to walk him, with my brother Harry and myself. That night my father slept alone in the Chapel of St. Nicholas. The next morning we went to take him from there but we did not find him. He had become well. Saint Nicholas healed his eyes and when he woke he saw as before. He had gone home to take the herd and drive it to the pasture.

We all praise God and St. Nicholas! The "old ones" had great faith you see.

18. A Miracle of a Prisoner of War During the Turkish Invasion

The following was written in the newspaper "ΣΗΜΕΡΙΝΗ" on 07/19/1998:

The constable Polydoros Georgiadis is not a person that bends easily. He lives life with a cool and unique serenity. When he remembers, however, the 100 days of captivity, in the dungeons of Adana and Amasa, it is impossible though he tries to hide his tears, and even more tears run from his eyes when he recounts the appearance of St. Nicholas in his cell on September 5th. Let him tell us what he saw:

"While I slept at 10pm St. Nicholas appeared, holding in one hand my wife, who wore the same clothes as on the last day that I saw her when I was captured, and in the other arm a baby. 'Here is your wife and the male baby she gave birth to' he said. 'Yes, but we dedicated him to the Apostle Andrew,' I replied. 'I know, but you should baptize him in my church,' said St. Nicholas, and he disappeared. At the same time I saw the Church of St. Nicholas in my village, in Nata of Paphos. A few days later the Red Cross came to the prison, and I wrote down what I saw on the night of September 5 when St. Nicholas appeared. My letter reached, through the Red Cross, the hands of my wife, who later told me she was moved and informed all my neighbors of the appearance of St. Nicholas. On October 28, when released, I went straight to Nata. It was 1:30 in the morning and all my fellow villagers, who were informed, were on foot, while the bell of the Church of St. Nicholas rang joyfully."

Source: http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2011/12/20-contemporay-miracles-of-saint.html

One of the things I hate about going shopping during the season of the Christmas rush is the music that is piped in over the mall sound system. I would happy with traditional renderings of the old carols, but instead, my ears are assaulted with the latest auditory atrocity, celebrating Christmas as a time of consumerism, indulgence, and fun in the snow. And often, to make matters worse, we have St. Nicholas forced to preside over all this—or, as he is described by these contemporary songs, “jolly old St. Nick”.

Some of the transformation of St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, into jolly ol’ St. Nick (aka “Santa Claus”) can be laid at the door of the old 1822 poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” attributed to Clement Clark Moore. It is more popularly known as the poem “Twas the Night before Christmas”. Many details from the poem have become part of the popular mythology of Santa Claus and his secret gift-giving on Christmas eve. Stockings were hung by the chimney with care, and the children were nestled all snug in their beds. St. Nicholas appeared on his miniature sleigh full of toys, pulled by his eight tiny reindeer. This St. Nick came down the chimney with a bound, the stump of a pipe held tight in his teeth, his little round belly shaking when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly. Not a lot of holy reverence here; he was a right jolly old elf, and the householder laughed when he saw him, in spite of himself.

I think it is worth comparing this St. Nicholas, who lives at the North Pole, with the real one, who lives in heaven. The main contrasts are three in number.

First, the real St. Nicholas, as found in his icons, is a lot thinner. That is, he points us toward asceticism and self-denial as the prescribed path to fulfillment. The real St. Nicholas is not portrayed iconographically as having a “little round belly,” nor does he appear as “a right jolly old elf” who provokes involuntary laughter. He appears as a man of God, a hierarch in the holy Church, someone of a serene countenance who comes from much prayer and fasting. Jolly ol’ St. Nick calls his followers to eating and spending sprees, to buying more and more, even if they go into debt to pay for it, and his pre-Christmas feast day is known as “Black Friday.” St. Nicholas the wonderworker of Myra in Lycia calls his followers to take up their cross and follow Christ, and his pre-Christmas feast day is marked on December 6, in the middle of a fast. It is not characterized by a mad scramble to buy, but by worship of the living God. But some festivity is allowed at a feast: we love St. Nicholas so much that even on this fast day we are allowed fish, oil, and wine.

Secondly, the real St. Nicholas carries a Gospel, not a bag full of toys which seem to be liberally distributed whether or not one is naughty or nice. Santa Claus is rarely without his sack of loot; St. Nicholas is never without the Gospel. As a bishop, his main task was preaching and rightly defining the Word of Truth, so of course he carries that holy Book. It contains the words which are the most precious to him, and which he constantly preached to his flock in Asia Minor. As his icon shows, it is his message to us today as well. And this message of St. Nicholas is identical with that of his Lord: “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Finally, the real St. Nicholas knows that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35), whereas Santa Claus would have us believe that it is more blessed to receive than to give. Santa is about receiving—that is why young children do not traditionally ask each other, “What did you give others for Christmas?” but rather, “What did you get for Christmas?” Santa is the patron saint of consumerism. The authentic St. Nicholas knows that while it is important to receive graciously, almsgiving still results in receiving more grace. Obviously Christmas morning knows both giving and receiving, and parents will attest that the real fun is watching their children receive. There is good in both giving and receiving. St. Nicholas knows this and can keep the two in balance; Santa tends to forget and focus mostly on receiving.

None of the above meditations are offered in a Scrooge-like spirit. Contrasting the true St. Nicholas with the false one does not imply that “Christmas is a humbug,” as the pre-conversion Ebenezer thought. I like Christmas: the tree-decorating, hearing from long-absent friends through Christmas cards, the Christmas day turkey. I even like the gift-giving. I am not much threatened by Santa Claus; I simply don’t mistake him for St. Nicholas. That is, I think that however much (or little) we enjoy the pre-Christmas season, we must discern that there are in fact two kinds of Christmas celebrated concurrently in our culture. One is about consumerism and over-indulgence, pure and simple. Jesus has little to do with it, which is why in some places the public display of a crèche or saying “Merry Christmas” provokes opposition. The other Christmas is our own Christian feast, the commemoration (as the service book says) of “The Nativity according to the Flesh of our Lord, God, and Saviour Jesus Christ.” We can partake of both, so long as we remember which one has priority. The contrast between jolly old St. Nick and the true St. Nicholas of Myra in Lycia reminds us of the differences between the two Christmases.

Source: https://oca.org/reflections/fr.-lawrence-farley/the-real-st.-nicholas

From The Great Collection of the Lives of the Saints, Volume 2: October,

compiled by St. Demetrius of Rostov

The great wonder-worker, swift helper of those in need, and fervent intercessor before God, Christ’s holy hierarch Nicholas, was born in Patara, a city in the province of Lycia. His parents were honorable, well-born, wealthy folk and were Orthodox. Nicholas’ father was named Theophanes and his mother Nonna. Dwelling together in lawful wedlock, they were adorned with every virtue. Because of their God-pleasing way of life, numerous good deeds, and especially their unstinting almsgiving, they, as holy roots, were deemed worthy to put forth a holy shoot, their blessed child. Like a tree which is planted by the streams of waters, this couple was vouchsafed to bring forth fruit in its season. When their son was born, they gave him the name Nicholas, which means "victor of the nations," and truly, with God’s help he proved victorious over evil and became a benefactor of the whole world. After bearing Nicholas, Nonna never again experienced the pangs of birth: this blessed child was her first and last, nature itself confirming that it was impossible she should bear another son like Nicholas. He was sanctified by divine grace while still in his mother’s womb, and his piety was made manifest as soon as he appeared in the world. Prodigies and his love of fasting were in evidence even while his mother was still suckling him. From the moment he was put to the breast, it was clear that he would become the mightiest of miracle-workers. He took milk only from his mother’s right side because he would one day stand on the Lord’s right hand with the blessed. Showing that he would become a great faster, on Wednesdays and Fridays he suckled just once, in the evening after his parents had completed their usual rule of prayer. Theophanes and Nonna understood that he would one day be a strict ascetic, and they marveled exceedingly.

Having grown accustomed to abstinence while still in swaddling clothes, Nicholas fasted every Wednesday and Friday until his blessed repose. Similarly, when placed in the font of Holy Baptism shortly after his birth, he stood for three hours without assistance, thereby glorifying the Holy Trinity, Whose eminent servant he would become and before Whom he would be a mediator for all. As the child grew, his understanding increased, and he was instructed in the rules of good conduct by his parents. The seed of Christian teaching sprang up in his heart as though in a fertile field, every day bearing the fruit of excellent conduct. The time soon came for him to begin the study of the divine Scriptures, and due to his natural intelligence and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he quickly achieved a profound understanding of their contents, such as befits a skillful helmsman of the ship of Christ’s Church and an experienced shepherd of rational sheep. He also proved himself perfect in the life of virtue, distancing himself from vain acquaintances and conversations. He carefully guarded himself from familiar speech with women and from looking women in the face. Attentive to preserving true chastity, he gazed upon God with a pure mind and was always to be found in the Lord’s holy church, fulfilling the word of the Scriptures: I have chosen rather to be an outcast in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of sinners. He frequently spent the whole day and night in church, reading sacred books and engaging in mental prayer to God, exercising himself in reflection upon edifying themes, and profiting from the descent of the grace of the Holy Spirit, for Whom he had made of himself a worthy dwelling-place, in accordance with the saying: Ye are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. Since the Spirit of God dwelt in Nicholas, he was entirely purified and became altogether virtuous and spiritual, his heart ever burning with love as he labored for the Lord. No childish traits whatsoever could be seen in him, but only those characteristic of old age. Because of this everyone was astonished at him and regarded him with deep respect. Truly, if an old man’s behavior is like a youth’s, he becomes a laughingstock, because frivolity is unseemly in a person of advanced years. However, if a youth’s demeanor is like that of a respected elder, he is held in honor since gravity is pleasing and worthy of esteem, especially in the young.

The blessed one had an uncle who was also named Nicholas and was Bishop of Patara. It was for him that the younger Nicholas was named. Seeing his nephew advancing in the life of virtue and distancing himself from everything worldly, the uncle advised Nicholas’ parents to dedicate the young man to God’s service. They obeyed him, presenting their son to the Lord Who entrusted him to them. In ancient books it is written concerning Nicholas’ father and mother that prior to the saint’s conception they despaired of having a child, so they had continually besought God with tears to grant them a son, and distributed abundant alms in the hope of winning His favor. Therefore, they did not hesitate to return Nicholas to the Lord. The Bishop took the young elder, who was adorned with the gray hairs of wisdom and the unspotted life of old age, and elevated him to the sacred rank of presbyter. During the ordination the Bishop was filled with the Holy Spirit, and turning to the people in the church, prophesied, "Lo, brethren, I see a new sun rising over the earth, which shall become the consolation of those who sorrow! Blessed is the flock deemed worthy to have Nicholas as its shepherd! He shall tend well souls that have gone astray, pasturing them on the fields of piety, and be the ready helper of those in affliction." This prophecy was later fulfilled, as will be seen from this narrative.

As a priest Saint Nicholas added to his labors, always fasting and keeping vigil, praying without ceasing and striving to emulate the life of the bodiless powers although he was clothed in flesh. His soul shone brighter with virtue every day. At that time his uncle, Bishop Nicholas, wished to visit Palestine and venerate the Holy Places there, and he entrusted the entire administration of the Church of Patara to his nephew. God’s priest Nicholas gave to the Church’s affairs the same close attention as did his uncle. While Saint Nicholas was administering the diocese, his parents departed this fleeting existence for life eternal. They left their possessions to their son, who distributed them among those who begged alms of him. Nicholas himself had no concern for transient wealth and gave no thought to its increase, having renounced all earthly desires in order to surrender himself wholly to God, to Whom he cried, Unto Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul. Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God. On Thee was I cast from the womb; from my mother’s womb Thou art my God. Like a mighty river from which flow many streams, his hand was always stretched out to give to those who asked. And now the time has come to tell of one of his numerous deeds of compassion, as a testimony to his generosity. There was a man living in Patara who was once wealthy and renowned, but his fortune waned. He fell into poverty and was scorned by those who before had regarded him highly. This man had three beautiful daughters, and when the necessities of life began to fail him, he decided to make his house a brothel and sell their bodies. Oh, what wicked schemes are born of destitution! The man had already devised his unseemly plan and was making preparations to fulfill it when God, Who loves us and does not wish to see us perish, sent down grace into the heart of His favorite, the holy priest Nicholas, mystically inspiring him to assist the wretch and turn him away from sin. Hearing of the father’s poverty and learning by divine revelation of his foul scheme, Nicholas felt deep pity for him and resolved to snatch him and his daughters from penury and sin as if from fire, by giving them generous alms. However, the saint did not want to help the man openly, for two reasons. Firstly, obedient to the words of the Gospel, Take heed that you do not your alms before men, he sought to avoid the empty praise of men. Secondly, since the man was once rich and had only recently fallen on bad times, Nicholas did not wish to humiliate him. Knowing how mortifying it is for someone who once enjoyed wealth and renown to accept alms (since he is reminded of his former prosperity), the saint thought it best to obey Christ’s words: Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth. So great was Nicholas’ desire to avoid praise that he attempted to hide himself even from those whom he assisted! He went at midnight to the man’s home, threw a large bag of gold into the house through a window, and fled.

The next morning, when he rose, the man found the bag and untied it. Seeing the gold, he became frightened, thinking it was an illusion, since he knew of no one likely to aid him so generously. Only when he touched it did he become convinced that what he saw was real and permit himself to weep with happiness. Although he wondered for a long time who might be his benefactor, he could think of no one. Ascribing his good fortune to providence, he thanked God unceasingly, glorifying the Lord Who cares for all men. Without delay he married off his eldest daughter, using the gold to provide her dowry. Learning what the man had done, the wondrous Nicholas was very pleased and prepared to assist the second daughter. He made ready another bag of gold, of the same value, and unknown to all, went by night and threw it into the man’s house through the same window. When the father rose the next morning and found the second bag, he was even more amazed than before, and falling to the floor, wept and cried, "O merciful God, Who didst purchase my salvation with Thy precious blood, Thou hast ransomed my home and children from the snares of the enemy! I beseech Thee to reveal to me who it was that accomplished Thy will and served as minister of Thy kindness and love for man. Show me the earthly angel that hath prevented us from perishing in sin, delivering us from destitution and my base plots. Behold, Lord, because Thy favourite hath assisted me so generously, I am now able to find a husband for my second daughter and escape the nets of the devil, who hoped to multiply mine evil deeds, which even before this merited eternal punishment."

Thanking the Lord for his kindness, the man celebrated the wedding of his second daughter. He trusted that God would provide a lawful husband for his third child and again send him the money he needed. Because he wished to know who was bringing the gold, he did not sleep at night, but watched in the hope of catching sight of his secret patron. It was not long before Christ’s favorite came a third time, walking very quietly, and again cast a bag of money through the window. The father heard it striking the floor and ran as fast as he could in pursuit of the saint. When he caught up with him, he recognized Nicholas, who was known to all because of his virtuous life and noble ancestry. He fell at the holy priest’s feet and kissed them, calling the saint his helper and deliverer and the rescuer of souls. "If the merciful Lord had not inspired you to come to my aid," he exclaimed, "my daughters and I, the wretch, would have perished in the fires of Sodom. But glory to God, you have saved us from a grievous fall!" Only with the greatest difficulty did Nicholas succeed in raising him to his feet and compelling him to swear that he would tell no one what had occurred as long as his benefactor remained alive. After speaking to the man at length about things profitable to the soul, the saint permitted him to return home.

From this story it is evident what deep sympathy Saint Nicholas had for the poor. It would be impossible to tell every example of his generosity to beggars or to enumerate the hungry people he fed, the naked he clothed, or the debtors he delivered from usurers.

Some time later, our venerable father decided to visit Palestine and venerate the Holy Places in the land where our Lord and God Jesus Christ once walked. While his ship was sailing off the coast of Egypt, Saint Nicholas foresaw that a violent tempest was about to arise although no one else suspected this. The godly one told the others what would occur, explaining that he had seen the devil himself enter the ship, intending to sink it and drown the passengers. At once black clouds appeared in the sky and a violent storm arose, churning up the sea. All were seized with fear and entreated Nicholas to rescue them. In despair they cried, "Unless you pray God to save us, O favorite of the Lord, we shall certainly be swallowed by the deep!"

Advising passengers and crew to take courage and put their hope in God, the saint sent up fervent supplication to the Lord. A great calm at once settled upon the waters, and the passengers’ terror turned to joy. They thanked God and His favorite, our holy father Nicholas, marveling at how he had both foretold the storm and accomplished their deliverance. Then, however, one of the sailors, who had climbed to the top of the ship’s mast to attend to a sail, fell to the deck as he was descending and was killed. But Saint Nicholas, ever ready to help even before called upon, restored the man to life as though he had merely been asleep. A fair wind filled the sails, and the boat quickly made for the port of Alexandria where it docked. There God’s favorite healed many sick people and cast out demons, bringing consolation to the afflicted. Eventually he resumed his journey to Palestine.

When he arrived in the holy city of Jerusalem, Saint Nicholas went to Golgotha, where Christ God stretched out His most pure hands upon the Cross to save the race of man. Oh, what fervent prayers did he pour out there from a heart burning with love, sending up thanks to our Saviour! He then went to all the other Holy Places, worshipping unhurriedly at each of them. One night, when he wished to enter the church on Mount Zion to pray, its locked doors swung open to him for whom the gates of heaven were also open. Having remained for some time in Jerusalem, Nicholas was preparing to travel into the desert, but a voice from heaven commanded him to return to his homeland. God, Who orders all things for our benefit, did not wish that the lamp He had prepared to illumine Lycia be hidden beneath a basket. The saint found a boat supposedly bound for his homeland and arranged with its crew for his passage. The sailors, however, had devised a wicked scheme and intended to sail not to Lycia but to another country. Shortly after the boat cast off, Saint Nicholas realized that it was not headed in the right direction, and he fell at the feet of the sailors, beseeching them to change their course. Paying him no heed, they continued on, not understanding that God would never forsake His favorite. Suddenly a storm arose, driving the ship swiftly toward Lycia. Thus borne across the sea by the might of God, Nicholas reached his destination. Since the saint was a stranger to malice, he did not seek revenge on the treacherous sailors, nor was he angry with them. He did not utter a single word of accusation; instead, after giving them his blessing, he let them depart.

Upon his return to Lycia, the saint went to the Monastery of Holy Zion founded by his uncle, the Bishop of Patara. The brethren were overjoyed to see him and greeted him with the reverence due one of God’s angels. Taking delight in his divinely inspired words and greatly edified by his way of life, which indeed rivaled that of the heavenly powers, they sought to emulate the virtuous conduct that was the adornment of the Lord’s faithful servant. Saint Nicholas found the monastery to be a haven of silence conducive to reflection on the Divinity, and hoped to remain there in seclusion for the rest of his life. But God was not pleased that the great treasure-chest of every excellence, which He intended to use to enrich the world, should remain hidden in a little cell in a monastery, buried, as it were, in the ground. It was His will that it be revealed to all creation and employed to make spiritual purchases and gain numerous souls. Thus it was that one day while the saint was standing at prayer, he heard a voice say, "Nicholas, if you wish to receive a crown from Me, labor for the good of others." The saint had still not regained his composure when he heard the voice again, saying, "Nicholas, this is not the vineyard where you will bear fruit for Me. Return to the world and glorify My name there." Saint Nicholas realized that it was God’s will that he abandon his solitude, and strive for the salvation of men. He was still uncertain, however, whether he ought to return to Patara or go elsewhere.

After pondering the matter, the saint decided it best to go to a city where he was unknown, since he knew that in Patara he was held in esteem by everyone. Now in the land of Lycia there is a renowned city named Myra, the provincial capital, to which the Lord guided Saint Nicholas. No one knew him there, so he made it his home and lived among the poor without a place to rest his head. His sole haven was the house of the Lord God.

At this time John, the Archbishop of the city, died, and the bishops of the land assembled in Myra to elect a worthy successor. Several noble, respected men were nominated, but the bishops could not reach agreement on any of them. Then some of the hierarchs, moved by divine zeal, declared that the Archbishop of the country ought not be selected by men, but by Providence. If they turned to prayer, they maintained, the Lord Himself would reveal who was worthy to assume the rank of archbishop and become chief shepherd of Lycia. This good counsel met with general approval, and the bishops devoted themselves to fervent prayer and fasting.

The Lord, Who hearkens to the entreaty of those who fear Him, deigned to reveal His will in the following manner to one of the eldest bishops. While the Bishop was praying, a radiant man appeared, commanding him to stand that night by the doors of the church and observe who entered the building first. "That man," said He, "is filled with My Spirit. Receive him with honor and make him archbishop; his name is Nicholas."

The Bishop informed the other hierarchs of the divine vision and told them what he had been commanded. Hearing this, they redoubled their prayers. Then the Bishop went to the church and stood by the doorway, awaiting Nicholas’ coming. When the time for Matins drew near, Saint Nicholas, who always rose at midnight to pray, went to the church, arriving as usual before the other worshippers. The Bishop stopped him as he entered the narthex and asked, "What is your name, child?"

At first the saint did not reply, but since the Bishop repeated the question, he answered, "My name is Nicholas, Master, and I am Your Holiness’ servant."

Both from his name and the meek, humble, and calm manner in which the reply was made, the holy Bishop knew that the man who stood before him was the one chosen by God to be Archbishop of Lycia. Recalling the Scripture which says that the Lord will look upon the man who is meek and quiet and humble of heart, the Bishop rejoiced exceedingly, as though he had found a great treasure. He took Nicholas by the hand and said, "Follow me, child."

Nicholas was presented to the bishops, who, filled with spiritual delight because God had revealed His choice, escorted the saint back to the church. Word of what had happened spread rapidly, and a multitude assembled in God’s temple so quickly it seemed borne there on wings. The Bishop who saw the vision addressed the congregation with these words: "Receive, brethren, your shepherd, whom the Holy Spirit has anointed and to whom He has entrusted the care of your souls. He was chosen not by an assembly of men but by God Himself. We have found him whom we sought, and under his good guidance and instruction, we shall never lose hope of standing before the Lord on the day of His return."

The great assembly gave thanks to God, and the people’s joy knew no measure. Saint Nicholas, however, who hated the praise of men, at first refused the hierarchal rank. Nevertheless, he had seen a vision before the death of the last Archbishop in which he was commanded to accept consecration, so in the end he submitted unwillingly to the persistent entreaties of clergy and laity. Concerning this vision Saint Methodius, the Patriarch of Constantinople, writes, "One night, Saint Nicholas saw our Saviour standing before him, radiant with glory. The Lord gave him a gospel adorned with gold and pearls. Beside him the saint beheld the most holy Theotokos, who placed upon his shoulders an omophorion, the symbol of episcopal dignity. A few days later John, the Archbishop of Myra, breathed his last, and Nicholas became his successor."

Remembering the vision and bowing to God’s will, the saint accepted the faithful of Myra as his flock. The bishops, assisted by other clergy, performed the usual rite of consecration, and all the people celebrated the appointment of their divinely chosen shepherd. Thus a brilliant luminary was given to God’s Church, not to be hidden beneath a basket, but to be set in a fitting place whence it could shine brightly. And indeed, at all times this holy hierarch of Christ rightly divided the word of truth, instructing his flock in the teachings of Orthodoxy.

At the very beginning of his episcopal service God’s favorite said to himself, "Nicholas, the rank you hold demands that you conduct yourself differently from other men. Now you must live for others." Wishing to instill the virtues in his flock, he did not conceal his good deeds as before. His way of life became known to everyone, not because he wished to enjoy adulation, but so that the Christians might be edified and glorify God. In him the words of the Gospel were fulfilled: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. The saint served as an example to all, and was, in the words of the Apostle, an example to the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. He was meek and forgiving, humble in spirit, and fled everything vainglorious. His clothing was simple, his food lenten, and he ate only once daily, in the evening. The whole day long he occupied himself with the responsibilities of his office, and was always willing to give an audience to those who came to him with requests. The doors of his house were never shut, for he strove to be accessible to all: a father to orphans, a charitable patron of the needy, the helper of the wronged, and the benefactor of every Christian soul entrusted to his care. To assist him in his pastoral labors and the administration of the Church, Nicholas appointed two prudent counselors, men known and respected even by the unbelievers of Myra: Paul of Rhodes and Theodore of Ascalon, both priests.

Seeing Saint Nicholas tend well the rational sheep of Christ’s flock, the devil, that evil serpent which never ceases to bring temptations upon God’s servants, grew ever more envious. Unable to endure the sight of piety flourishing, he incited the Roman emperors Diocletian and Maximian to initiate a persecution of Christ’s Church. The rulers issued throughout their domains an edict commanding the faithful to renounce Christ and worship the idols. Whoever refused to obey was to be fettered and imprisoned, tortured and executed. The evil storm soon reached Myra, but the blessed Nicholas, who was ready to suffer for the Lord, continued to preach the faith of Christ openly. It was not long before he was seized by the persecutors and imprisoned with many other Christians. Nicholas remained in confinement for a long time, suffering greatly from hunger and thirst and the overcrowded condition of the dungeon. His fellow prisoners, however, he nurtured constantly with the word of God, giving them the sweet waters of piety to drink and confirming them in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. He set their feet upon the unshakable foundation of trust in the Lord, and exhorted them to remain firm in their confession of Christ and to suffer eagerly for the truth. In time the storm of persecution ended, and the tranquility of freedom returned for the Christians. The truth of the Gospel shone again like the sun breaking through dark clouds, and Christ, Who loves mankind, looked upon His inheritance and put an end to heathen rule. The Lord raised up a horn of salvation for His people, the holy Cross, which appeared to the new Emperor Constantine, who assumed authority over the Roman Empire. Acknowledging the one God and placing his trust in Him, Constantine prevailed over his enemies by the power of the Cross. He commanded that pagan temples be leveled and Christian churches be built, thus destroying the vain hopes of his predecessors. Those imprisoned for Christ’s sake were honored as courageous soldiers of the Lord. The released Christians returned to their homes, and the city of Myra received back its pastor, the great hierarch Nicholas, who, as a confessor, wore the crown of martyrdom though his blood was not shed. By the grace of Christ he continued as before to heal the passions and infirmities of believers and unbelievers alike. Because God’s grace was abundantly present in him, he was greatly esteemed and loved, and everyone marveled at him. He labored for the Lord in holiness and righteousness, and shone with purity of heart and every divine gift.

At that time numerous pagan temples remained in use, and the demons continued to entice the unbelievers to worship in them, so bringing about the perdition of many citizens of Myra. Moved by divine zeal, the godly hierarch began travelling through the district, demolishing the heathen temples and cleansing the land of demonic defilement. As Saint Nicholas was battling in this way, he came to the enormous, beautifully adorned sanctuary of Artemis, the especially beloved abode of his invisible enemies. When he destroyed this vile temple, the saint did not hesitate to pull up the very foundations. Quaking with fear every time they saw Christ’s invincible servant approach, the devils would cry out and moan; and unable to resist the prayers of the holy hierarch, would take to their heels.

Some time later, the right-believing Emperor Constantine, wishing to strengthen the Christian faith, commanded that an ecumenical council be held in the city of Nicaea. The holy fathers who assembled there clearly defined the doctrines of Orthodoxy, anathematizing both the Arian heresy and Arius, that corrupter of the faith and sower of the tares of impiety. They proclaimed the Son to be equal in honor and of one essence with the Father and reestablished peace in the apostolic Church. The wondrous Nicholas was one of the 318 fathers attending this Council, at which he valiantly struggled against Arius. With the other holy fathers, he upheld the dogmas of the faith, delivering them intact to his flock.

John, a monk of Studium, writes that Saint Nicholas was filled with divine zeal at the Council like a second Elijah, and boldly assailed Arius not only with words but also with blows, striking him upon the face. Indignant with the saint for his audacity, the holy fathers stripped him of the emblems of the hierarchal rank. Our Lord Jesus Christ and His most blessed Mother, however, were looking down from on high on Saint Nicholas’ labors for the holy faith and were very pleased with his daring. Several of the most eminent fathers of the Council beheld a vision similar to that which Nicholas had seen before his consecration. On one side of the saint they saw Christ returning the gospel that had been taken from him; on the other, the most pure Virgin giving him back his omophorion. The bishops understood that Nicholas’ boldness was pleasing to God: they stopped reproving him and began to revere him deeply. Upon his return from the Council, Saint Nicholas publicly instructed the people, bestowing the Lord’s blessing on them. From his sweet lips he imparted to his flock sound teaching, cutting off at the root the strange, diseased doctrines of the heretics, men hardened in wickedness, whom he expelled from the fold. Just as an experienced farmer skillfully separates wheat from darnel on his threshing-floor and millstone, so Christ’s wise thresher, Saint Nicholas, filled the Lord’s spiritual granary with good wheat and cast far away the tares of the heretics. Because of this the Holy Church refers to him as the fan that scatters the tares of Arius’ teaching. Truly, he was a light unto the world and the salt of the earth; his life was radiant with light and his speech salted with wisdom. Furthermore, this good shepherd not only took care to provide spiritual pasture for the members of his flock, but food for their bodies as well, since he had great concern for all their needs. Once, when a horrible famine was raging in the land of Lycia and no food remained in Myra, God’s hierarch, out of compassion for the starving, appeared in a dream to a merchant in Italy who owned a ship filled with wheat. Giving him three gold coins as a deposit, Saint Nicholas directed him to sail for Myra and sell his wheat there. When the merchant awoke, he was astonished to find the three gold pieces in his hand. He dared not disobey, but left directly for Myra where he sold the grain. He did not remain silent about the miracle, so the citizens learned how their deliverance had come to pass. They sent up glory and thanksgiving to God and blessed their benefactor, the great and wondrous hierarch Nicholas.

It was about this time that a revolt took place in Great Phrygia. Hearing of it, the Emperor Constantine sent three generals with troops to restore order. The generals, Nepotian, Ursus, and Herpylion, sailed from Constantinople, stopping at the place on the coast of the diocese of Myra called "The Adriatic Shore." Here there was a port, and since rough seas did not permit them to proceed further, they remained in the safety of the harbor. When troops were sent into the town to buy provisions, they took many things by force, as is the custom with soldiers. Since they did this repeatedly, they enraged the townsfolk. Finally there was a violent confrontation at the place called Plakomata. When Saint Nicholas learned of this, he quickly set off to quell the strife. The townspeople and the generals went out to meet him, falling prostrate as soon as they caught sight of him. The saint advised the generals to exercise greater control over their troops, so that they could not tyrannize the people, after which he entered the city and invited them to share his supper. The generals disciplined their soldiers and put an end to the disturbances; and thus they were deemed worthy to receive the saint’s blessing.

In the meantime several citizens of Myra arrived, weeping and lamenting. They fell at the saint’s feet, begging him to help three innocent men sentenced to death by the Governor, Eustathius, who was bribed by jealous evildoers. "Because of this injustice," they said, "the whole city is in turmoil and awaits your return. If you had been there, Master, the Governor would never have dared pass such a verdict."

When he heard this, God’s hierarch was deeply troubled and set off for Myra at once, accompanied by the three generals and their troops. On the way, at the place called Leon, they came upon travelers whom they asked, "Do you know anything about the three men who were condemned to death at Myra?"

"We left them at the field of Castor and Pollux. They were being led to execution," the travelers replied. At this, Saint Nicholas continued in haste, hoping to find the men still alive. Reaching the place of execution, he saw a large crowd assembled and the three condemned men kneeling on the ground. They awaited beheading with their hands bound, their heads covered, and their necks bared. The executioner, wearing a grim, violent expression, was about to let the sword fall. Truly, it was a dreadful spectacle that would have brought tears to anyone’s eyes! Quickly making his way through the crowd, his face revealing both anger and humility, Christ’s holy hierarch fearlessly and without hesitation tore the sword from the executioner’s hand and threw it to the ground. He boldly ordered that the prisoners be loosed, and no one dared interfere, for his commands were issued with great authority; divine power plainly assisted him in everything he did, and he was beloved of God and held in awe by all men. The three prisoners, delivered from the sword and unexpectedly returned from the gates of death, shed tears of joy and cried out in heartfelt gratitude, and everyone assembled there thanked the saint. Then the Governor arrived, but when he fell at Nicholas’ feet, God’s favorite disdainfully pushed him away, calling down the Lord’s vengeance upon him. The saint also threatened to tell the Emperor what had taken place, and warned Eustathius that he would be subjected to horrible torments for failing to administer justice. Reproached by his conscience and terrified by the saint’s threats, Eustathius tearfully begged mercy and began to pray fervently to God, repenting of the evil he had done and seeking reconciliation with our holy father. He laid the blame for what had happened on Simonides and Eudoxius, elders of the city, but the truth could not be hidden, since the saint knew well that the decision to put the blameless men to death was bought with a bribe. Meanwhile, the people continued to exclaim their gratitude. They persuaded Christ’s favorite to forgive the Governor, but with the greatest difficulty. Indeed, they succeeded in this only because Eustathius himself finally confessed tearfully and humbly that it was he and no one else who was responsible for the injustice.

Seeing this, the three generals marveled at the righteousness of God’s great hierarch. After the saint had prayed for them and given his blessing, they continued on to Phrygia with their men, to fulfill the Emperor’s command. There they put down the rebellion, restored peace, and having accomplished everything they had been ordered to do, returned to Byzantium where they were greeted with praise and honor by the Emperor Constantine and all the nobility. They were given positions at court and appointed to serve on the imperial council. Some time later, however, jealous men began plotting against them. They went to Eulavius, the Eparch of the city, and slandered them, saying, "The three generals do not give the Emperor good advice and are said to be scheming against him; moreover, they have introduced senseless innovations in the affairs of the realm."

With this, they gave the Prefect a large quantity of gold. He denounced the generals to the Emperor, who had all three imprisoned without questioning them, saying that he was afraid they would slip away and succeed in accomplishing their wicked plans. The generals, who were clapped in fetters, had no idea why they had been imprisoned and knew only that they had done nothing wrong. Soon the slanderers began to worry that they might themselves be punished for making untrue accusations. They returned to the Prefect, therefore, and implored him to put the men to death at once. Ensnared in the net of avarice, the Eparch agreed. He appeared before Constantine with eyes downcast and a sorrowful look upon his face, as though he were bringing evil tidings, and filled the ruler’s ears with tales intended to incite his wrath against the innocent, hoping also to prove how great was his fidelity and concern for the Emperor’s life. "None of the imprisoned men wish to repent," he said, his tongue dripping with deceit. "All three continue to intrigue as before, plotting evil against you. Command that they be tortured without delay, so that their wicked schemes may be brought to an end."

The Emperor, alarmed by the Eparch’s words, condemned the men to death. Since it was evening, however, the execution was delayed until the next morning. The prison guard learned of this, and lamenting the misfortune threatening the blameless generals, went to them and said, "It would have been better if we had never met and I had never enjoyed your company or shared my food with you! Then I could easily have endured our separation, without sorrow over the coming disaster. Tomorrow we shall be parted, and I shall never again see your dear faces, nor ever hear you speak, for the command has been issued to put you to death. Tell me, therefore, before bitter doom overtakes you, what you wish done with your possessions."

The three innocent men ripped their clothes and tore their hair, crying, "What enemy has done this? What crime have we committed to deserve execution?" They called upon God and all their friends and relatives as witnesses that they had done no evil, and they wept bitterly. Then one of them, Nepotian, remembered how Saint Nicholas had proved a swift helper and glorious defender for the condemned in Myra. All three began to pray, "O God of Nicholas, Who didst deliver those unjustly sentenced to death in Myra, look down upon us, for we have no helper on earth. Lo, a great misfortune is about to befall us, and there is none to deliver us. Our voices have grown feeble and our tongues are parched, burnt up by the fire of our hearts’ distress; we have not the strength to pray as we should. But let Thy compassions quickly go before us, O Lord; rescue us out of the hands of those who seek our souls. They intend to put us to death tomorrow, but do Thou hasten to our aid and deliver us."

The Lord heard the entreaties of the condemned, and like a father moved by compassion for his sons, sent the great hierarch Nicholas to the assistance of those God-fearing men. That night while the Emperor was sleeping, Christ’s hierarch appeared to him and said, "Arise quickly, and free the generals who are being held in prison. They are the victims of slander and suffer unjustly." The saint explained the affair to him in detail and warned, "If you do not obey me, an uprising worse than the one in Phrygia will erupt, and you will perish miserably."

Marveling how someone could be so bold as to enter the inner chambers of the palace by night, Constantine demanded, "Who are you? How dare you threaten us and our imperial authority!"

"My name is Nicholas," the saint replied, "and I am Archbishop of Myra."

The Emperor awoke amazed and troubled by the dream. Meanwhile, on that same night, the saint also appeared in a dream to Eulavius, reproaching him for his evil deeds, warning of impending revolt, and threatening him with death. Eulavius was terrified and, like Constantine, was left pondering the significance of the vision. Soon a messenger arrived and told him what the Emperor had seen. The Eparch then hurried to his master and confessed everything. Each was amazed at the other’s story, and the Emperor commanded that the generals be brought to him. He confronted them, saying, "The Prefect and I both dreamed we saw the same man warning us that an uprising would break out if you were not freed. What sorcery did you employ to bring this about?"

The generals could only look at one another in perplexity, since they knew nothing about an insurrection on their behalf. Seeing their confused expressions, Constantine’s anger cooled and he told them, "Do not be afraid; speak the truth."

The generals pleaded, "We know nothing of sorcery and have never plotted evil or considered doing you harm. God, Who sees everything, is our witness to this. If you can discover anything to prove our words false, show us no mercy, nor any of our relatives. Our parents taught us to revere the sovereign and show him the utmost fidelity. We have always defended your person and resolutely fulfilled your commands, doing our duty as men of high rank. We put down the revolt in Phrygia, subduing your foes, and our deeds there offer abundant testimony to our courage. Previously Your Majesty heaped awards and glory upon us, but now you have turned against us, pitilessly condemning us to a wretched death. How could it be that our zeal to serve you has brought us to these straits?"

His heart softened, the Emperor repented for having mistreated the generals. He trembled at the thought of God’s judgment and felt ashamed to wear the purple robes that signify the imperial rank, since he, the lawgiver, had proved quick to pass a lawless sentence. While he conversed with the men, speaking to them now in a meek and compassionate voice, Saint Nicholas appeared, sitting beside the Emperor and signalling to the generals that they would be forgiven. Only they could see the saint. They exclaimed in astonishment, "O God of Nicholas, Who didst deliver the three men in Myra from an undeserved death, rescue Thy servants from misfortune!"

The Emperor demanded, "Who is this Nicholas, and who are the men he saved?"

Nepotian explained, and the Emperor, acknowledging Nicholas as a great favorite of God, freed the generals. Marveling at the saint’s zeal in defending the wronged, he said, "It is not I who grant you your lives, but Nicholas, the Lord’s servant, upon whom you called for help. Leave now and go thank him. I beg you to convey this message to him from me: I have obeyed your command; do not be angry with me, O hierarch of Christ!"

With this Constantine entrusted to the men a gold-covered gospel, a censer made of gold and adorned with brilliant jewels, and two lamps, instructing them to give these as a gift to the Church of Myra. The generals rejoiced when, arriving in Myra, they again saw the saint, whom they warmly thanked for his help. They did not forget to express their gratitude to God, but sang with David, Lord, O Lord, who is like unto Thee, delivering the beggar from the hand of them that are stronger than he? After distributing considerable alms to the poor, the generals returned without further difficulties to their homes. Such are the works of the omnipotent God, Who ever magnifies His favorite! Their fame has spread everywhere, as if borne on wings throughout the world, so that there is no place where the Lord’s miracles, worked through the great hierarch Nicholas, remain unknown.

A ship was once sailing from Egypt to Myra when a violent storm arose, churning up the sea. The sails were torn, and it seemed that the vessel itself would be crushed by the mighty waves. The passengers were in despair of their lives when they remembered the great hierarch Nicholas. Although none of them had ever seen him, they had heard that he was the quick helper of those who call on him in misfortune, so they turned to him in prayer, begging his assistance. The saint immediately appeared, announcing, "You called for me, and I have come to help you!" He took the helm and began piloting the ship, calming the storm, as once did the Lord, Who said, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also. Because he was a faithful servant of God, Nicholas gave commands to the wind and sea and they obeyed him. Sped by a fair wind, the boat reached Myra, and the passengers disembarked, hoping to see the holy Bishop. They met the saint on his way to church, and recognizing their benefactor, fell at his feet, thanking him. The wondrous Nicholas did not merely deliver them from danger of physical death, but took thought for the salvation of their souls as well. Because he was clairvoyant, he perceived that some of the passengers were defiled by fornication, which estranges a man from God and causes him to neglect the Lord’s commandments. "Children," he said to them, "I beseech you to correct your hearts and thoughts, so that you may be pleasing to God. Consider that although we may reckon ourselves to be righteous and frequently succeed in deceiving men, we can conceal nothing from God. Let us therefore strive to preserve the holiness of our souls and to guard the purity of our bodies with all fervor. Ye are the temple of God, says the divine Apostle Paul; If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy." So saying, the blessed one, like a loving father, let them depart in peace.

Saint Nicholas’ countenance resembled that of an angel, splendid with divine grace. A brilliant ray shone from his face, as from Moses’, so that those who looked at him were astonished. Whoever was oppressed by some affliction or passion of soul had only to lay eyes on the saint, and his sorrow was eased at once. As for those who conversed with him, they soon found themselves advancing on the path of virtue. Not only the faithful but unbelievers as well were moved to compunction and directed their steps toward salvation when they heard his sweet lips speak; the evil of unbelief implanted in their hearts since childhood was uprooted, and in its place the word of truth was sown.

God’s great favorite lived in the city of Myra for many years, emanating divine goodness, as the sacred Scriptures say: He was as the morning star amid clouds, and as the moon when full; as the sun shining upon the temple of the most high God, and as lilies by the wellspring of waters, and as precious myrrh that maketh everything fragrant. When he reached old age, the saint paid the common debt due human nature, and after falling ill for a short time, ended this temporal life in a God-pleasing manner. He joyfully departed unto eternal blessedness to the sound of chanted psalms; his soul was escorted by holy angels and met by the choirs of saints. Bishops and clerics, monastics and laity from throughout the country of Lycia assembled on the sixth day of December to lay his body to rest in the cathedral of Myra. Numerous miracles were worked by Saint Nicholas’ holy relics, which gushed streams of fragrant, healing myrrh for the ailing. People began coming to his grave from every corner of the earth, hoping to be healed. They were not disappointed, for there was no disease the holy myrrh could not cure. The saint continued to war against the demons even after his repose, and many times evil spirits were expelled from possessed folk brought to his sepulcher.

It chanced that God-fearing men living near the mouth of the river Tanais heard of the myrrh-streaming and healing relics of Christ’s holy hierarch Nicholas. They decided to venerate them, and loaded their ship with wheat. However, a demon learned that the ship was being prepared to sail to our father’s relics. This was the same unclean spirit that Nicholas had driven out of its home when he destroyed the temple of Artemis. Still chafing at the saint, the devil devised a plan to prevent the men from completing the journey. Transforming itself into a woman, the demon appeared to the men, carrying a jar of oil and saying, "I would like to offer this oil at the saint’s grave, but am afraid to travel by sea. I am unwell and have a weak stomach. Be so kind as to take this for me to Nicholas’ grave and pour it into the lamp over his relics."

No one knows what demonic spells were put on the oil, but it was clearly given power to harm the travelers. The men unwittingly agreed to do as requested and sailed swiftly the first day. On the morning of the second day, however, a northerly wind arose and the boat began to founder. For many days they were in distress because they could not continue on course; the churning of the sea brought them to despair, and they finally decided to turn back. But after they had turned the ship around, Saint Nicholas appeared in a little skiff, saying, "Where are you headed, men? Why have you reversed your course? A wicked spirit is preventing you from completing your voyage. A demon, not a woman, gave you the jar of oil. Cast it into the water and the sea will become calm. Then you will be able to continue on your way."

As the men threw the jar overboard, they saw black smoke and flame belching out of it. A terrible stench filled the air, the waters parted and began to boil and bubble from their depths, and hot spray covered the deck. Everyone in the ship was terrified and cried out in fear, but Saint Nicholas enjoined the men to take courage. He calmed the sea and a cool, fragrant wind began to blow, allowing the travelers to sail joyfully to their destination. There they venerated the myrrh-streaming relics of their speedy helper and intercessor, giving thanks to the almighty God. They had a service of supplication chanted to our great father Nicholas, after which they returned to their own country, where they told everyone what had happened.

God’s favorite has truly worked numerous mighty and glorious miracles upon land and sea, assisting those in affliction, saving the drowning, freeing captives and returning them to their homes, delivering the imprisoned, and rescuing the condemned. To the blind he has given sight; to the lame, the ability to walk; to the deaf, hearing; and to the dumb, speech. He has bestowed alms on the poor; given food to the hungry; and proven himself the helper of all in distress of any sort, a fervent intercessor ever ready to defend the oppressed. Even now he assists in the same way those who call upon him, saving them from misfortunes. It is impossible to enumerate the miracles he has worked or to describe them all in detail. This great wonder-worker is known to East and West alike: the ends of the earth have heard tell of his marvels. May God, Who is one in Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be glorified in him, and may his holy name be extolled by the lips of all men forever. Amen.

Whoever wishes to learn more about the great wonders worked by Christ’s holy hierarch Nicholas should read the entries in The Prologue for this day and for the ninth of May, when the translation of the saint’s honorable relics is celebrated. He should also read the separate booklet that contains accounts of his miracles. From these he will learn how Basil, the son of Agricovus, was rescued from the Saracens and returned to his home by the saint in a single hour; how the priest Christopher was saved from beheading; how King Stephen of Serbia was granted sight; and he will become acquainted with many other wonders worked by the saint.

Source: http://www.chrysostompress.org/lives_6_december.html

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