The Life of Our Holy Father Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Wonderworker (6 December)

On the 6th day of December

From the «Lives of the Saints» of St. Demetrius (Dimitri) of Rostov

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Patara, the Parents Theophanes and Nonna, and the Wonderworker’s Wondrous Birth

The great wonderworker, the swift helper and the extraordinary intercessor before God, the hierarch of Christ Nicholas, was raised up by the Lycian land, in the city called Patara, from honourable, noble, orthodox and wealthy parents. His father was named Theophanes, and his mother Nonna. This blessed pair, who lived piously in lawful marriage, adorned themselves with every godliness. For their God-pleasing life, and their many alms and great beneficence, they were counted worthy to bring forth a holy branch, being themselves a holy root, and like a tree planted by the outgoings of the waters, brought forth their fruit in its season. And having borne this divine child, they named him Nicholas, which means “victory”: for truly he proved a victory over evil, God so willing, and for the common profit of the world. And after the birth his mother Nonna was at once freed from pain, and from that time was barren until she was loosed from the bonds of the flesh. Nature herself confessed that it was impossible to bear another such son, but to have this one only — the first and the last, who from his mother’s womb was sanctified by God-inspired grace, before he began to live — reverently to honour God before he sucked the breast — to work wonders before he learned to eat — to fast. For after his birth in the font he stood three hours on his own feet, and no one supported him, giving honour by that standing to the All-holy Trinity, of which he was later to be a great servant and intercessor. And when he was put to his mother’s breast, the wonderworker was recognised by his mother’s nipples: he did not feed as other infants usually do, but sucked milk from the right breast alone, for on the right hand he was to receive his standing with blessing. And he became also an extraordinary faster: for on Wednesday and Friday he took the breast’s milk once only, and that in the evening hour, after the fulfilment of the rule usual for Christians, at which his parents greatly marvelled and understood what a faster he was later to be. And having learned that ascetic custom from his swaddling clothes, the blessed man kept it all his life until his blessed departure, passing Wednesday and Friday in fasting.

The Study of Divine Scripture, and the Chastity of the Youth

And growing in years, the boy grew at the same time in mind and in good habits, in which he had been taught by his good parents. And he was like a fruitful field: he received the good seed of learning in himself and sprouted it, bringing forth each day new fruits of good custom. And when the time came, he was given over to the study of Divine Scripture. And he, by the swiftness of his natural mind and the instruction of the Holy Spirit, attained in a short time to great Wisdom. And as much as he advanced in book learning, so much was he to be a good helmsman of Christ’s ship and an experienced shepherd of the word-endowed sheep; he was perfect in the learning of the word. And he proved perfect also in the affairs of life: from vain friends and idle talk he shrank in every way, and he was very careful not to speak with women or to cast his eye upon a woman’s face, and fleeing from this, he kept at a distance from the company of such persons. And keeping true chastity, with a pure mind he always saw God, and always abode in the holy Church, as it is said: “I would dwell in the House of my God.” And he spent much time whole days and nights in God-minded prayer and in the reading of the Divine Books, learning spiritual understanding, and from there was enriched with the divine graces of the Holy Spirit, for whom he built in himself a worthy house, as it is written: “You are the churches of the living God, and the Spirit of God dwells in you.” And having in himself the living Spirit of God, the beneficent and pure youth appeared wholly spiritual, burning in spirit, labouring for the Lord, and one could not see in him the least trace of a boyish temper, but the custom of an old man, for which he became to all a thing of wonder and honour. For as an old man, having the habits of a youth, becomes a laughingstock for all, so a young man, having the customs of an old man, is honoured by all with wonder. Untimely is youth in old age, but honourable and beautiful is old age in youth.

The Uncle the Bishop, the Priesthood, and the Prophecy of a New Sun

And the blessed man’s uncle was the bishop of that city, of the same name as he, for he also was called Nicholas, in whose honour this younger Nicholas was given his name. And that uncle, seeing his nephew making progress in the virtuous life and withdrawing himself in every way from the world, advised his parents to give him to the service of God. And they did not object to offering their child to the Lord, for they had themselves received him as a gift from Him, since it is written of them in the old books that they were barren, and having already lost hope of bearing a child, by many prayers, and tears, and alms they begged this son from God, and did not grudge to bring him as a gift to Him who had given him. And having received the young elder, who had the grey hairs of wisdom and the age of the old age of an innocent life, the bishop advanced him through the priestly ranks to the presbyterate. And when he had ordained him, he turned to the people who were in the church; and himself, filled with the Holy Spirit, he prophesied, saying: “Behold, brothers, I see a new sun rising upon the ends of the earth, and bringing merciful comfort to the sorrowful. O blessed flock, that has been counted worthy to have this shepherd for itself! For he will pasture well the souls that have gone astray, and feed them on the pasture of piety, and be a swift helper to those who are in trouble.” And this prophecy was afterwards fulfilled in truth, as the following tale will show.

The Death of His Parents, the Wealth Given Away, and the Hand Stretched Out to the Poor

And having taken upon himself the presbyteral rank, the holy Nicholas added labours to labours, abiding in vigil, and in fasting, and in unceasing prayer, and striving to imitate the bodiless ones in his mortal body. So he lived as an angel, flourishing each day more in goodness of soul, and showed himself worthy of the governance of the church. And at that time his uncle, the bishop Nicholas, wished to go to Palestine, to worship the holy places there, and therefore entrusted all the church’s estate to his nephew, this priest of God, the holy Nicholas. And he, occupying another’s place, cared in every way for the church’s estate, as the bishop himself, his uncle, did. Then his parents, leaving this temporary life, departed to the life eternal; and the holy Nicholas, being heir to their estate, gave it away to the needy. And he did not look upon swiftly passing wealth, nor took thought for its increase, but renounced all worldly desires, striving to dedicate himself to God alone with all his heart, to whom he also said: “To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul; teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. On You I have relied from the womb; from my mother’s womb You are my God.” And his hand was stretched out to the needy, as a river of many waters, flowing with mighty streams. And that his most abundant mercies might be better understood, one of his many merciful deeds was this.

The Poor Man and His Three Daughters, Doomed to an Unlawful Marriage

There was a certain man in that city, of the famous and the rich, who afterwards grew very poor, and became inglorious and needy, for the life of this age is inconstant. And that man had three daughters, very beautiful of face. And when he lacked everything necessary, so that he had neither food nor clothing at all, he resolved to give his daughters to an impious marriage and make his house a house of debauchery, because of his great poverty, that he might have gains from it and buy for himself and the maidens clothing and food. O the woe into which thoughts last destitution drives! For so that man pondered in crafty thoughts, and wretchedly wished to carry his evil intent into deed. But the good God, not wishing to see human nature in perdition, but inclining in love for mankind to our woes, put kindness into the heart of His servant the holy priest Nicholas, and sent him by a secret inspiration to the help of the man who was perishing in soul, comforting him in his poverty and guarding him from a sinful fall; for the holy Nicholas had heard of that man’s last destitution, and learning by divine revelation of his evil thoughts, he pitied him exceedingly, and with his beneficent hand resolved to snatch him from poverty and from sin with his daughters, as out of the fire. Yet he did not wish to come openly to the man and tell him of his beneficence, but resolved secretly to give him a bountiful alms. And this for two reasons: that he might himself avoid vain human glory, for he understood what is said in the Gospel: “Take heed: do not do your alms before men”; and that he might not put to shame that man, who had once been rich but had come into great poverty. For he saw how hard it is to live for one who has fallen from wealth and glory into poverty, for his soul is ashamed, recalling in memory his former prosperity. Therefore he resolved to do an unusual thing, according to the words of Christ: “that your left hand may not know what your right hand does.” For so much did he flee from human glory, that even from him to whom he did good he strove to hide himself.

The First Bundle of Gold, Thrown In Through the Little Window

For taking a great bundle of gold, he came at midnight to that man’s house and threw it into the house through a little window — and himself quickly returned to his own house. And in the morning, rising and finding the bundle, the man untied it, and seeing the gold, was frightened and thought that he was imagining it: for he feared that this visible gold would prove to be a deceit, since he expected such a benefactor from nowhere. Therefore, turning the gold over with his fingertips, he looked at it examining, and having seen that it was truly so, he was comforted and marvelled, and shed hot tears of joy. And he pondered much within himself who it could have been who had done him this good, and not guessing, he ascribed it to the providence of God, thanking Him without ceasing and lifting up praise to the Lord, who cares for all. And so he at once married off one of his daughters, the eldest, and gave her the gold that had been given, of which there was enough, for her dowry. And the wondrous Nicholas learned of this, that the man had done according to his wish, and it was pleasing to him. And he was again ready to do the same mercy to his second daughter, striving to keep the maiden by lawful marriage from an unlawful sin.

The Second Bundle of Gold, and the Second Marriage

For having prepared a second bundle of gold, equal to the first, he threw it by night, secretly from all, into the old man’s house through the same little window. And in the morning the poor man, rising, found gold again, like the first, and began to marvel at this also, and fell prostrate on the ground, pouring out hot tears, and said: “O God and Giver of mercy, and Builder of our salvation, who first redeemed me with Your blood, and today redeem my house with my children from the snares of strangers by gold — do You Yourself show me him who serves Your merciful will and Your love for mankind and Your kindness. Show me that earthly angel who keeps us from sinful destruction, that we may know who it is who rescues us from the poverty that humiliates us and delivers us from evil, deliberate designs. For this has been done to me by Your mercy, O Lord, secretly by the bounteous hand of some servant of Yours; and I shall give my second daughter in marriage to a husband according to the law, and so shall escape the snare of the devil, who wishes by an impious gain to multiply the great — woe is me — destruction that is mine.” Then that man, praying to the Lord and thanking Him for His kindness, made a marriage for his second daughter also, relying in this upon God and putting a sincere hope in Him, that He would care for his third daughter also, and grant her to have a beloved husband by law, sending him again, by a secret beneficent hand, gold sufficient for that need.

The Third Bundle, and the Benefactor Discovered

And he did not sleep that night, but watched, so as to be able to hear his benefactor and be counted worthy to see him, to learn who and whence brought him the gold. And here, in a short time, what was expected drew near: for Christ’s servant Nicholas came a third time also, with a quiet step, and being at the place where he always was, threw in again through the same little window such a knot of gold, and quickly returned home. And the father of the girls, hearing that the gold had been thrown in at the window, ran as he could after the one who had come. And overtaking him and recognising who he was — for the saint was not unknown, because of his beneficence and the nobility of his family — he fell at his feet, kissing them, calling him his deliverer, and helper, and saviour of souls that had already gone down into final destruction. “For because of your bounty,” he said, “the Lord, great in mercy, has raised me up. Long ago I would have perished — wretched father with my daughters — by the rain of the fire of Sodom; woe is me! And behold, today we are saved by you and delivered from a bitter sinful fall.” And much else he said to the saint with tears. But he could scarcely raise him to his feet, and bound his soul with oaths never in his life to tell anyone of what had happened. And having said much more for the man’s profit, the saint let him go to his own house.

The Journey to Palestine, and the Storm Foretold

Behold, we have told one of his many merciful deeds, that it may be known from this how merciful he was to the poor. And if one were to tell of his mercy one by one — what bounties he showed to the needy, how many thirsty he gave to drink, and naked he clothed, and how many he redeemed from debts — there would not be time enough to tell it. After this the venerable father Nicholas resolved to go into Palestine, and there to see the holy places and worship them, where the Lord our God Jesus Christ walked with His all-pure bodily feet. For when the sailors were sailing opposite Egypt, knowing nothing of what was to befall them, the holy Nicholas, sailing with them, foresaw that there would be a storm, and a tempest, and a clashing of fierce winds. And having foretold this to them, he said that he had seen the crafty enemy himself, who had climbed into the ship and wished to sink it with the men into the deep. And at once at that time a sudden sorrow came upon them; the cloud grew dark, there was a strong tempest and a great troubling of the sea. And those who sailed were greatly afraid of the threat of death, and asked the holy father Nicholas to help them, for they were perishing bitterly in the abyss and had no hope of rescue from the trouble that was coming.

The Storm Calms, the Sailors Are Saved

“If you, servant of God, do not help us by your prayers to God, then we shall at once sink in this abyss and perish.” And he commanded them to be bold, and to put their hope in God, and to hope without doubt for swift deliverance — and himself began to pray earnestly to the Lord. And at once the sea was calmed, and settled into a great stillness, and everything sorrowful was turned into joy. And all gave thanks to God and to His servant, the holy father Nicholas, and marvelled at two things: the prophecy of the storm, and the loosing of their sorrow. And when this was happening, one of the sailors climbed up the mast, as is usual for some need; and when he wished to come down from there, he slipped, fell from the top into the middle of the ship and was beaten to death, and lay without breath. But the holy Nicholas, ready even before being called for help, raised him by prayer, and made him not dead but held by sleep, and gave him alive to his fellow sailors. After this, opening all the sails and having a favourable wind, they sailed well and quietly came to shore at Alexandria. And there the servant of God, the holy Nicholas, healed many sick, and cast demons out of men, and comforted the sorrowful, and then again intended to set out on the road to Palestine.

Jerusalem, Golgotha, and the Holy Places

And he reached the holy city of Jerusalem, and went up to Golgotha, where Christ God wrought salvation for the human race, stretching out on the Cross His all-pure hands. There he poured out fervent prayers from a heart burning with love, sending thanksgiving to our Saviour. And he went round all the holy places also, worshipping worthily everywhere. And when at night he wished to enter the holy church for prayer, the church doors, which were locked, opened of themselves, giving him an unobstructed entrance, for whom even the gates of heaven were open. And he remained in Jerusalem a good while, preparing to go into the desert, but was told by some divine voice from above to return to his own country.

The Crafty Sailors, and the Haven in Lycia

For God orders everything for our profit: He did not wish that lamp to be a desert one under a bushel, but had prepared it for the lampstand of the Lycian metropolis. And he found a ship, and agreed with the sailors to sail to his own country. But they devised an evil deed — to direct the voyage to another country, not Lycia. And when he had boarded the ship and put off from the shore, the holy Nicholas saw that the ship was not sailing to his own country; and quickly falling at the sailors’ feet, he begged them to direct their course to Lycia. But they, not heeding him, sailed to the country they had in mind, not knowing that God would not leave His servant in sorrow. And then some storm, breathing contrary, turned the ship the other way and drove it swiftly to Lycia, threatening those evil sailors with unavoidable trouble. And so the holy Nicholas, borne over the sea by the power of God, came to shore at his own country.

The Monastery of Holy Sion, and the Voice from Above

Being without malice, he did no evil to those treacherous enemies, nor showed anger, nor uttered any hateful word, but let them go to their own country with a blessing. And he himself came to the monastery which his uncle, the bishop of Patara, had founded and named Holy Sion; and there the holy Nicholas proved very welcome to all the brothers: for they received him with great love, as an angel of God, and delighted in his God-inspired words, and profited from his apostle-like life, and imitated his good habits — with which God had adorned His faithful servant. And in that monastery the holy Nicholas found for himself a solitary life and a place most fitting for meditation on God, like a quiet haven, and hoped to pass the rest of his life there without going out. But God pointed out to him another way, not willing that that treasure, rich in all the virtues, with which the world was to be enriched, should be hidden, as though buried in the earth in a field, shut up in a little cell of a solitary monastery; but let it be manifest to all, and let the spiritual trade be carried on with those spiritual treasures, which will gain many souls. And once the saint, standing at prayer, heard a voice from above: “Nicholas, enter into the people’s struggle, if you wish to have a crown from Me.” And hearing that voice, Nicholas was afraid, and thought what that voice wished, what it expected of him. And again he heard a voice saying: “Nicholas, this is not the field on which you are to bring Me the fruit I expect, but turn to the people, that My name may be glorified in you.” Then the holy Nicholas understood that it was God’s will to leave the solitude and go to serve the salvation of men.

Unknown in Myra; the Death of Archbishop John

And he thought where he ought to go: to his own country, to the city of Patara, to his acquaintances, or somewhere else. And he resolved, fearing the vanity among acquaintances and avoiding human glory, to go to another city, where no one knew him. And in that same Lycian land there is a most famous city, called Myra, the metropolis of all Lycia. And into that city the holy Nicholas came, led by the providence of God, and no one there knew him. And he was as one of the poor, and had nowhere to lay his head, but only lodged in the house of the Lord, having God as his only shelter. And at that time the hierarch of that city, John, the Archbishop and First-See of all the Lycian land, departed. And all the bishops of that land gathered in Myra, to choose a worthy man for that throne. For various men, honourable and prudent, were named and chosen for it, and there was great disagreement. Therefore some, moved by divine zeal, decided that this was not a matter of human choice, but of God’s ordering, and that they ought to pray about it, that the Lord Himself might show who was worthy to receive such a rank and to be shepherd of all Lycia. And all, having obeyed that good counsel, gave themselves to earnest prayer and fasting. And the Lord, doing the will of those who fear Him and listening to their prayer, revealed His good pleasure to one of them — the senior bishop — in this way.

The Vision to the Senior Bishop at the Church Doors

When he was standing at prayer, a bright man appeared to him and commanded him to come at night and stand at the church doors, and to watch who would enter the church sooner than all. “That one,” he said, “is moved by My Spirit. And having received him with honour, set him up as archbishop; and the man’s name is Nicholas.” And seeing such a divine vision and hearing what was commanded in the vision, the bishop told the other bishops. And they, hearing this, took up prayer with labour. And that bishop who had seen the revelation stood in the place where he had been commanded in the vision, and awaited the coming of the desired man.

«How Are You Named, O Child?» — «Nicholas, the Servant of Your Holiness»

And when the hour of matins came, the holy Nicholas, led by the Spirit, came to the church sooner than all: for he had the custom to rise at midnight for prayer, and, going before all, to come to the church for the morning singing. And when he had entered the narthex, the bishop who had been counted worthy of that vision spoke to him, and said to him: “How are you named, O child?” But he was silent. And he pressed him with questions, and the saint answered him obediently and quietly: “I am called Nicholas, master, the servant of your holiness.” And that divine man, when he heard these obedient and humble words, understood not from the name foretold to him in the vision that he was called Nicholas, but from the humility, how quietly and obediently he had answered. And he recognised that he was the one on whom God’s good pleasure rests, to be first-see of the Church of Myra. For he was not ignorant on whom the Lord looks: “on the obedient one,” the Scripture says, “and the silent, and the humble of heart.” And he rejoiced exceedingly, as though he had received some hidden treasure. And at once he took him by the hand, saying: “Follow me, child.” And he led him with honour to the bishops.

«Receive, Brothers, Your Own Shepherd»

And they, filled with divine delight and spiritual consolation at the finding of the man pointed out by God, brought him into the middle of the church. And the fame of this spread all round, and there ran together, swifter than the winged, a countless multitude of people. And the bishop who had seen the vision spoke aloud to all: “Receive, brothers, your own shepherd, whom the Holy Spirit has anointed for you, and to whom He has entrusted the governance of your souls, whom not a human assembly but the judgement of God has set up. Behold, today we have him whom we desired and whom we sought; today we have found him and received him. He will pasture us well and instruct us; let us not abandon hope, that we may stand well before God in the day of His appearing and revelation.” And many people gave thanks to God and rejoiced unspeakably, but the holy Nicholas refused to accept that rank, not enduring human praise.

The Refusal, the Vision of Christ and the Theotokos, and the Consecration to the Throne

Yet he was entreated by the whole assembly of clergy and laity, and not wishing it, ascended the archiepiscopal throne, for he had been told of this also by a divine vision, which the archbishop had seen before his death, of which the holy Methodius, Patriarch of Constantinople, writes thus: “One night the holy Nicholas saw our Saviour in glory, standing beside him and giving him a Gospel book adorned with gold and pearls. And on the other side he saw the holy Theotokos, laying upon his shoulders the hierarchal omophorion. And after that vision a few days passed, and John, the archbishop of Myra, departed. Nicholas was set up as archbishop of that city.” And remembering that vision, and seeing clearly God’s good pleasure, and not disregarding the assembly’s entreaty, the holy Nicholas accepted the flock. And the sacred assembly of bishops with the clergy, having performed over him everything that belongs to consecration, kept a joyful feast, rejoicing in their God-given shepherd, the hierarch of Christ Nicholas. And so the Church of God received for itself a bright lamp, not set in a corner nor hidden under a bushel, but set in its worthy place, on the lampstand of the archpriesthood and the pastorate, on which the light shone, rightly establishing the word of truth and all the pious commandments, thinking soundly and teaching.

«Now You Live No Longer for Yourself, but for Others»

At the beginning of his pastorate, the servant of God said thus to himself: “O Nicholas! This rank and this place require other habits; now you live no longer for yourself, but for others.” And he wished to teach his sheep virtue, no longer hiding his virtuous life as before. For earlier God alone knew how he led his life, labouring for Him in secret; but in the archpriesthood his manner of life was open to all, not disclosed before men out of vainglory, but for profit and for the increase of the glory of God, that what is said in the Gospel might be fulfilled: “So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father who is in the heavens.” And he was a mirror of all good deeds to his flock, and an image to the faithful, as the Apostle says — in word, in life, in love, in spirit, in faith and in purity. In temper he was meek and without malice, humble in spirit, and shrank from every superiority. His clothing was plain, his food lenten, of which he always tasted only once a day, and that in the evening. The whole day he exercised himself in the works befitting his rank, listening to the needs of those who came to him, and the doors of his house were open to all, for he was good to all and easy of approach, a father to orphans, a merciful giver to the poor, a comforter to those who weep, a helper to the wronged, and to all a great benefactor. And for help in his pastoral labours in the governance of the church he found two counsellors, beneficent and prudent, honoured with the presbyteral rank — Paul of Rhodes and Theodore of Ascalon, men known to all the Greeks. And so he pastured well the flock of Christ’s word-endowed sheep entrusted to him.

The Persecution of the Church, and the Prison Bonds

But the envious eye of the crafty serpent — he never ceases to attack God’s servants; not enduring to see piety flourishing among men — began a persecution of the Church of Christ through the impious Roman emperors Diocletian and Maximian. And from them there went out then a command, that all the faithful should renounce Christ and worship idols: and those who would not submit, let them be compelled with bonds, and prisons, and heavy torments, and finally be punished with violent death. And that destructive storm soon reached the city of Myra also, brought by the worshippers of the dark impiety. And the blessed Nicholas was in that city the elder of all the Christians, preaching Christ’s piety to a free people, and was ready to suffer for Christ — therefore he was taken by the impious torturers and put in prison with many Christians. And remaining in it no little time, he suffered much evil, enduring hunger, and thirst, and the straitness of prison. And he fed his fellow prisoners with the word of God, watered them with the sweet waters of piety, turning back in them the faith in Christ God, and setting their feet on an unshaken foundation, and strengthening them to be firm in the faith of Christ and stubbornly to suffer for the truth.

Freedom under Constantine, the Ruined Temples, and the Temple of Artemis

Then freedom was granted to the Christians again, and as the sun after dark clouds, piety shone forth, as though some gentle coolness had come after the storm: for Christ in His love for mankind looked upon His inheritance, destroyed the power of the impious, cast Diocletian and Maximian out of the kingdom, and together with them took away from within those who served Hellenism. And He restored to His people the power of salvation by the appearing of the Cross to the great emperor Constantine, to whom He entrusted the Roman state. And he, having known the one God and put his hope in Him, overcame all his adversaries by the power of the holy Cross. And having lost the vain hope of those who had reigned before, he commanded the idol temples to be destroyed, and Christian churches to be raised up. And those who had been shut up in prisons for Christ he released to freedom, and honoured them with great praises, as brave warriors, and Christ’s confessors returned each to his own country. And then the city of Myra received its shepherd again, this great archbishop Nicholas, a martyr in will and a bloodless crown-bearer. And he, having the grace of God in himself, according to his custom healed human sufferings and diseases — not only of the faithful themselves, but of the unbelievers also. And through the great grace of God that was in him he was glorified and caused wonder in many things, and was greatly beloved by all. For he shone with purity of heart, and being endowed with all the gifts of God, he laboured for his Lord in holiness and righteousness. And there were then still many idol temples, to which impious men inclined with a demonic love, and not a few people of the city of Myra also perished. And the divine archbishop, kindled with zeal for God, went through all those places, destroying the idol temples and turning them into dust, and cleansing his flock from the defilement of demons. And so the holy Nicholas, warring with the evil spirits, came also upon the temple of Artemis, which was greatly adorned and very great — a sweet dwelling for demons. And against them the saint was more angry than against that unclean temple, which he destroyed to its foundation, and levelled the high structure with the earth, and scattered the foundation that was in the earth into the air. And the evil spirits, in no way able to endure the saint’s coming, gave forth plaintive voices, shrieked terribly, and fled vanquished, and were driven out of their places by the weapon of the prayers of the invincible warrior of Christ, the hierarch Nicholas.

The Council of Nicaea, and the Blow Struck at Arius

After this the pious emperor Constantine, wishing to establish the faith in Christ God, commanded an Ecumenical Council to be held in the city of Nicaea. And there the holy fathers, having gathered, openly preached piety, but the Arian heresy, and the ill-minded heretic himself who sowed tares with it, they delivered to anathema. And they preached the Son as co-honoured with the ever-existent Father, who gave peace to the holy divine apostolic Church. And then this wonderworker Nicholas also, who was at that Council one of the three hundred and eighteen holy fathers, stood bravely against Arius’ blasphemy, and together with the holy fathers established the dogmas of the orthodox faith, and gave them to all to keep. And John, a monk of the Studion, tells of him that Nicholas, kindled with divine zeal like a second Elijah, during the Council dared to put Arius to shame not only with a word, but with a deed, striking him on the cheek, at which the holy fathers were indignant, and for that deed which he had dared to do took away from him the mark of his archpriesthood. But our Lord Jesus Christ and His all-blessed Mother, looking from above upon the deed of the holy Nicholas, were well pleased with the deed he had dared to do, and praised his divine zeal, for such a vision as he himself had seen before his setting up to the archpriesthood, certain of the more honourable holy fathers saw: on one side of him Christ the Lord with the Gospel, and on the other the all-pure Virgin Theotokos with the omophorion, returning to him and giving him what had been taken away. And knowing that that boldness of his was pleasing to God, the fathers were silent and greatly honoured him as a great servant of God.

The Return from the Council, the Famine in Myra, and the Merchant’s Dream

And when the holy Nicholas returned from the Council to his flock, he came bearing the blessing of peace, and with honey-flowing lips gave sound teaching to the assembly of the whole people. And he cut off the unsound and the alien at the very root, and exposed the embittered and pitiless heretics, who had grown old in malice, and drove them from the flock of Christ. And as a wise farmer on the threshing floor and the winepress cleanses everything that is there, and selects the better, but shakes out the tares, so the prudent labourer of Christ’s threshing floor, the holy Nicholas, filled the spiritual barn with good fruits, scattering the tares of the imaginary heretical falsehood and winnowing them far away from the Lord’s wheat, for which the holy Church also calls him the winnowing fan that scatters Arius’ tare-sowing teaching. And he was truly the light of the world and the salt of the earth, for his life was bright, and his word was dissolved with the salt of wisdom. And caring exceedingly for his flock in all their needs, it happened that this good shepherd fed them not only with spiritual food, but procured bodily food also. For once, when there was a great famine and every kind of food was lacking in the city of Myra, and many people were in distress, the hierarch of God took pity on the poor people who were perishing of hunger: to a certain merchant, who was in Italy and had filled a ship with grain and wished to sail to another country, he appeared by night in a dream, and giving him three gold pieces as earnest money, commanded him to sail to the city of Myra and there to hand over the grain for a price. And waking from sleep and finding three gold pieces in his hand, the merchant was frightened and marvelled at such a dream, which had shown a wonder made real. And because of such a wonder the merchant did not dare to disobey what had been commanded, but came to the city of Myra and sold the corn to those who were in it, not concealing the appearing of Nicholas that had been in his dream. And the townspeople, having received such comfort from the famine and hearing what had been told, lifted up glory and thanks to God, and glorified the wonderworking great archbishop Nicholas, their feeder.

The Sedition in Phrygia, and the Three Generals: Nepotian, Ursus and Erpylion

At that time a sedition began in Greater Phrygia — and hearing of it, the emperor Constantine sent three generals with their soldiers to quell that sedition and establish peace. And the names of the generals were Nepotian, Ursus and Erpylion. And they sailed with great haste from the city of Constantine, and came to one of the harbours of the Lycian eparchy, which is called the Andriac shore, where there was a city. And because they could not sail on the unquiet sea, they waited for calm in that harbour; then some of the soldiers who were with them came down from the ships to buy what they needed, and took other men’s goods by force, as soldiers usually do. And they did this often, which angered the inhabitants of that place. Therefore there were quarrels and uproar, and war was mounting on both sides at the place called Plakoma. And learning of this, the holy Nicholas did not shrink from going himself to the shore of that city, to reconcile the strife. And at once the whole city with the generals, hearing of his coming, came out to meet him and bowed down to him. And the saint asked the generals where and whence they were going. And they answered that the emperor had sent them into Phrygia to quell the sedition there. And the saint urged them to keep their soldiers in obedience, that they might do the people no harm. Then, taking the generals into the city, he entertained them courteously. And they, having punished the soldiers, quelled the riot and were counted worthy of the saint’s blessing.

The Three Condemned Men, and the Sword Snatched from the Executioner’s Hand

And while this was happening, certain townspeople came from Myra, sorrowful and weeping, and falling at the saint’s feet, asked help for the wronged, telling with tears that, when he was not there, the governor Eustathius, through envious evil men, having taken a bribe into his hands, had condemned to death three men of that city, guilty of nothing, for which the whole city sorrowed and wept and awaited your return, Master. “If you had been at home, the governor would not have dared to pass such an unrighteous judgement.” And hearing this, the hierarch of God was grieved in soul, and taking the general with him, set out at once on the road. And being at the place called Leo, he met certain people going along, and asked them whether they knew anything of the three men condemned to death. And they said to him: “They left them on the field of Ricinus and Poluxus, dragged to execution.” Then the holy Nicholas hastened to that place, striving to outrun those condemned to death. And reaching the place, he saw many people standing before him, and three condemned men, who had their hands bound behind them and their faces covered, already bowed down to the ground; and he saw naked swords aimed, ready for the deadly execution. And he saw the executioner, who had already drawn the sword for this, showing a fierce and ugly image of severity: and it was for all a terrible and pitiful sight. Then the hierarch of Christ, mingling meekness with fierceness, went in freely among the people. And snatching the sword out of the soldier’s hand, he threw it to the ground, not in the least terrified nor frightened, and freed the men from their bonds, doing all this with great assurance, and no one hindered him, because his word was authoritative and his deed was with divine power: for he was great before God and before all men. And the three men saved from beheading, seeing that they had been unexpectedly returned from the gates of death to life, were bathed in hot tears of joy and cried out gladly, and all who were gathered there responded with thanks.

Eustathius the Governor Exposed, and the Generals’ March to Phrygia

And Eustathius the governor came there also, but the servant of God, seeing him approaching, turned away, and thrust away the one falling at his feet. And he promised to tell the emperor of him and to call down God for his punishment, and threatened him with every mortal torment for the unrighteous use of his authority. And he, justly exposed and terrified by the saint’s threats, asked for mercy with tears, and prayed with all his soul, repenting of his injustice and seeking reconciliation with the great father Nicholas, but laying the blame upon Simonides and Endoxius, the elders of the city. But injustice cannot be hidden, for the saint knew that, bribed with gold, he had condemned the innocent to death. And all the people lifted up great thanks to the holy father Nicholas. Then Christ’s servant was scarcely persuaded to forgive the governor, for he himself now with humility and great tears confessed the sin that had been his, and not another’s deed. And the aforementioned generals, who had come with him, seeing all that had happened, marvelled at the zeal and the goodness of the great hierarch of God. Then they were counted worthy of his holy prayers, and taking his blessing as a good companion, departed into Phrygia, to fulfil the emperor’s command. And being there, having well pacified the sedition and accomplished everything the emperor had commanded them, they returned to Byzantium with joy, receiving much-praised honour from the emperor and from all the boyars, and such other things for their good fame; and they lodged in the palaces and were counted worthy of the emperor’s council.

The Slander, the Gold for the Eparch, and the Imprisonment of the Generals

But the envious eyes of the crafty hearts of evil men, not being able to see them in good fame, were moved to malice and enmity, and having composed an evil counsel against them, came to the eparch of the city, Ablavius, fiercely composing slanders against those men and saying: “The generals counsel no good, nor will the end of their counsel turn to good, for they are beginning new things, which have come to our hearing, and are forging evil against the emperor.” And having said this against them, they gave the eparch much gold. And he carried that slander into the emperor’s ears. And at once, hearing it, the emperor commanded those three generals to be put in prison without examination, to avoid the carrying out of their secret evil counsel. And the generals were in bonds, not knowing why they had been thrown into prison, for they did not know their own guilt. And when little time had passed, the slanderers grew afraid that somehow their lying slander would be exposed, and their evil would become manifest, and the trouble would turn upon themselves; therefore with many entreaties they came to the eparch, that he should not let those men live long, but should soon pass a deadly judgement upon them after the beginning of the first counsel. And the eparch, overcome by the love of money, hearing this, brought the promise to an end. For at once he came to the emperor with a downcast face and a sorrowful look, appearing as an evil messenger. And at the same time he wished to show how greatly he cared for the emperor’s life and how faithfully he submitted to him. And he began in every way to flatter him, provoking and pushing him with crafty and cunning words to anger against the innocent, and saying: “Not one of those who sit in the prison wishes to repent, O emperor, but they remain in their former evil intent, and do not cease to devise evil designs, weaving evil against you. Command therefore, without delay, that they be put to torment, that they may not have time to carry out the evil they have devised against you and bring their evil beginning to an end.” And provoked by such words, the emperor condemned the innocent to death. And it was evening, and their execution was deferred to the morning.

The Tears of the Jailer, and the Prayer of the Condemned

And learning of this, the jailer, who had wept much even before over such a calamity upon the innocent, came to those generals, saying thus: “It would have been well for me had I not become acquainted with you, had I not enjoyed pleasant conversations and meals, so that I might have borne the parting from you the more easily and grieved less over the calamity that has come upon you, and such sorrow would not have come upon my soul. For in the morning we shall part from one another — O woe is me — with a final and bitter parting. And from then on I shall not see your beloved face nor hear your speech: for it has been commanded to kill you. Give command, if you wish, concerning your estate, for today is the time, that death may not hinder your will.” And when he had said this to them with sobbing, they, having sinned in nothing against the emperor and not deserving to know death, tore their garments and dreadfully tore their hair, saying: “What enemy has envied our life, why must we receive death as thieves; what have we done worthy of death?” And they called by name their kinsmen and acquaintances, and took God to witness, that they had done nothing evil, and wept bitterly. And one of them, Nepotian, remembered the holy Nicholas who is in Myra, who standing before those three men had been quickly glorified as a helper and a good intercessor, and saved them from death. And they spoke with one another about this, praying and saying thus: “O God of Nicholas, who saved before this three men from an unrighteous death, look today upon us also, for we have no helper among men, for this great trouble has encompassed us, and there is no one to save us from calamity. And therefore our voice falls silent before the departure of our souls, and our tongue burns with the fire of the heart and dries up, and we can no longer even bring prayers to You. Quickly let Your mercies encompass us, O Lord, and take us out of the hands of those who seek our souls, for tomorrow they wish to put us to death; hasten to our help, and deliver us, the innocent, from death.”

The Holy Nicholas Appears to the Emperor Constantine and to Ablavius the Eparch

But God, hearing the prayers of those who prayed to Him and feared Him, and rewarding them as a father his children, sent to their help His holy servant, the great archbishop Nicholas. And that night, when the emperor was sleeping, this hierarch of Christ stood before him, saying: “As soon as you rise, release those three generals from the prison, whom you keep there; they are slandered without guilt and suffer unjustly.” And he told him also the whole matter clearly, and said: “If you do not listen to me and do not release them, I will raise up war against you, as it was in Phrygia, and you will perish evilly.” And the emperor marvelled at the man’s boldness, thinking that he had dared untimely to come inside the palace by night, and said: “Who are you, that you dare to bring such threats upon us and upon my state?” And he said: “My name is Nicholas, archbishop of the metropolis of Myra.” And the emperor was troubled by the vision, and rising, pondered what it was. And to Ablavius the eparch also, the same night, when he was sleeping, the saint appeared in a dream and told him also of those men. And Ablavius woke, was afraid, and pondered in his mind about the vision. And at once someone came to him from the emperor, telling what the emperor had seen in his sleep. And he quickly went to the emperor, reported his own vision, and told everything that had appeared. And both marvelled at the most glorious vision, which had been the same for both.

The Examination before the Emperor, and the Likeness of the Saint Sitting with Him

And the emperor at once commanded the generals to be brought from the prison, and said to them: “What sorceries have you worked, that you have sent such dreams upon us, for the man who appeared was exceedingly furious and sorrowful, and threatened in a short time to bring war?” And they knew nothing, and asked one another by nods whether any of them knew anything, but not one knew anything, and only looked at one another with the eyes of the mind. And the emperor, seeing this, changed to gentleness and said to them: “Do not fear anything evil; tell the truth.” And they, with eyes full of tears, weeping greatly, said: “We, O emperor, know no sorcery, nor have we done or even thought anything evil against your state; the All-seeing Eye is witness to us. But if it is not so, and you find anything crafty in us, then show us no mercy at all; spare not only not us three, but our whole race. For we learned from our fathers to honour the emperor and to be faithful to him above all. Therefore even today we faithfully guard your health, and firmly keep what is entrusted to us, as befits our rank, and serve your command with zeal: in Phrygia we reconciled the sedition, overcame the enemy’s attack, and proved our bravery to you sufficiently by deeds, as those who know say well. Your state is to us a gift beyond honours, but today you have armed yourself against us in fury, and we are judged fiercely, and we await the worst suffering. But it seems to us, O emperor, that our friendship for you is the cause of greater torment for us, and instead of the glory and honours on which we hoped, we are doomed to mortal fear and condemnation.” And by such words the emperor was moved, and repented that he had done outrage upon those men, for he trembled before the Judgement of God and was ashamed before the imperial purple, that, establishing law for others, he himself was about to pass lawless judgements. And then he looked mercifully upon them and spoke gently to them. And they, looking at the emperor with emotion, suddenly saw the likeness of the holy Nicholas sitting with the emperor, and by a nod promising them forgiveness and mercy. And no one else saw this, only those three generals. Then they, taking courage, said with a loud voice: “O God of Nicholas, who once delivered three men in Myra from an unrighteous death, take us also, your servants, out of this present trouble.” And the emperor caught at the word and said: “Who is this Nicholas who saved the men? Tell me, that I may know it.” And Nepotian told him everything in order.

The Release, the Golden Gifts, and Thanksgiving in Myra

Then the emperor recognised the holy Nicholas, the great servant of God, and marvelled at his boldness and his great zeal for the wronged, and released those generals, saying: “It is not I who give you your life, but Nicholas, the great servant of the Lord, whom you call to your help. Go therefore to him and give thanks. And say to him also from me: “What you commanded, I have done; be not angry with me, servant of Christ.”” And having said this, he gave them a golden Gospel and a golden censer set with precious stones, and two candlesticks, and commanded that these be given to the Church of Myra. And so those three generals, having received a most glorious salvation, set out at once on the road and came joyfully to the saint, and saw him gladly, and rendered great thanks to him who had done them such a kindness, and sang, saying: “O Lord, Lord, who is like You, who deliver the poor out of the hands of the stronger, and do not leave the needy without alms, but satisfy them also out of Your estate, and we shall return to You prosperously.” Such are the works of God, who magnifies His servant; therefore the fame of him, as though winged, rose up and spread everywhere and encompassed all, passed over the abyss of the sea, and was carried through the universe, and left no place, and wherever men were, the great and wondrous miracles of the great archbishop Nicholas and the grace granted him by Almighty God were heard of.

The Sailors from Egypt in the Storm: the Saint Takes the Oar

Once certain sailors from Egypt were sailing to the Lycian land, and were in a great storm and tempest, so that the sails were torn down and the whole ship was broken against the great waves, and all had already lost hope of life. But when they remembered the great archbishop Nicholas, whom they had never seen, but had only heard of him, that he is a swift helper to all who call upon him in trouble, they turned to him in prayer and called upon his help. And the saint at once appeared to them and went into the ship, saying: “You called me, and I have come to help you; do not be afraid.” And taking an oar, he seemed as though he were steering the ship. Then he forbade the winds and the sea, as our Lord also once commanded: “Believe in Me, in the works that I shall do.” And he did. So the faithful servant of the Lord commanded the sea and the winds, and they were obedient to him. And the sailors after this, borne by a gentle wind, came to shore at the city of Myra, and came out of the ship and went into the city, wishing to see him who had saved them from trouble. And seeing him as he went to the church, they recognised their benefactor, and falling at his feet, gave him thanks. And the wondrous Nicholas delivered them not only from bodily trouble and death, but cared also for the salvation of their souls: for being clairvoyant, he saw with spiritual eyes in them the uncleanness of fornication, which casts a man far from God and leads him away from His commandments, and said to them: “Come to your senses, I beg you, O children, come to your senses, and your hearts, and set your thoughts right for what is pleasing to God; for if we can hide ourselves from many men and appear good, nothing is hidden from God. For this reason strive to keep the sanctuary of the soul and the purity of the body with all zeal. “You are the temple of God,” as Paul the divine apostle says. “And if anyone destroys the Temple of God, him shall God destroy.”” And so having instructed those men with soul-profitable words, he let them go in peace.

The Most Bright Ray from His Face, and His Blessed Departure

For the blessed man had a temper like a child-loving father, and the look of an angel of God, and shone with divine grace. A most bright ray came from his face, as from the face of Moses. And from the sight of him there was great profit to those who looked at him, for if anyone was burdened with some suffering or sorrow of soul, and only looked at the saint, he at once found sufficient comfort for his sorrow. Or if anyone conversed with him, he was wholly changed for the better. And not only the faithful, but the unbelievers also, if anyone chanced to hear something from that sweet honey-flowing tongue, were moved and set upon the path of salvation: they cast off the malice of unbelief grown up from youth, and received into their heart the righteous word of truth. And the great servant of God lived a good number of years, sowing divine good things in the midst of the city of Myra, according to the Divine Scripture: as the morning star in the midst of the clouds, and as the full moon at noonday, and as the sun shining upon the Church of the Most High God, and as the lily at the outgoings of the waters, and as precious myrrh, breathing upon all. And in deep old age, full of many days, he paid the debt of our common human nature, having first been a little sick in body, and ended this temporary life well, and passed with joy and psalm-singing into the blessed life that knows no old age, escorted by holy angels and by the saints who met the holy man in choir. And his honourable body the bishops with the clergy, and the monks, and the people, of whom a countless multitude gathered from all the cities of that whole Lycian land, laid with honour in the cathedral church of the metropolis of Myra, on the sixth day of the month of December. And many wonders were wrought from the holy relics of the servant of God, for his relics poured forth sweet-smelling and healing myrrh, with which the sick were anointed and received health. Therefore people came from the ends of the earth to his tomb, seeking healing for their diseases, and were not left without what they sought, for all manner of diseases were healed by that holy myrrh, not only bodily, but spiritual also. And he drove out evil spirits, for against them he armed himself not only during his life, but after his departure also, and overcame them, and overcomes them even now.

The Demonic Vessel of Oil from the Temple of Artemis

Once certain God-fearing men from the mouth of the river called Tanais, hearing of the myrrh-streaming and healing relics of the hierarch of Christ Nicholas, which were in Myra, a city of Lycia, resolved to go there by sea, to worship. And having filled the ship with wheat, they wished to set sail. But the crafty demon, who had earlier dwelt in the temple of Artemis and whom the holy Nicholas had driven out from there, destroying the temple, perceived that that ship wished to sail to the Great Father, and being angry with the saint for the destruction of the temple and for his own expulsion from there, strove with all his power to take revenge. And he devised to turn those men from their intended way and deprive them of the holy place, making mischief and hindrance to their wish. For he transformed himself into a woman, and carrying a certain vessel full of oil, hurried about and said to those men: “I would like to carry this to the saint’s tomb, but I am very much afraid of the voyage, for it is impossible for a weak woman, sick in the stomach, to dare such a deep. Therefore I beg you, taking this vessel, carry it to the tomb and pour the oil into the saint’s lamp.” And saying this, the crafty one gave the vessel into the hands of the lovers of God. And it is not known with what demonic charms that oil was mixed, only that it was harmful and destructive to those who sailed. And they, not knowing the crafty deed, obeyed what was asked and took that vessel with the demonic oil. And putting off from the shore, they sailed well that day. But in the morning a north wind blew, and their voyage became heavy both by day and by night. And for many days they were in distress in the unsuccessful voyage, tormented by the long turbulence, and thought to turn back.

The Saint in the Little Boat, and the Safe Arrival at Lycia

And they were already turning the ship back to their own country, when the holy Nicholas appeared to them, sailing against them in a little boat, and said: “Where are you going, O men? Why do you leave the way and turn back? It is in your hands to calm the storm and give the ship a convenient course. For it is a devilish trick that turns you away from the voyage. It was not a woman but a demon who gave you the vessel; throw it into the sea, and at once you will have a prosperous voyage.” And hearing this, those men took the demonic vessel and threw it into the abyss of the sea. And when this had happened, suddenly black smoke and flame came out from there, and a great stench filled the air, and the sea split open and churned the waters from the bottom with boiling, making a seething, and the drops were like fiery sparks; and those in the ship were terribly afraid, and from fear could not even cry out. And the helper who had appeared to them, having commanded them to be bold and not to fear, calmed the sea and freed those who sailed from fear, and gave them a prosperous voyage to Lycia. For at once a certain kindly coolness breathed, blowing upon them, and they sailed happily to the desired city, rejoicing. And they worshipped the myrrh-streaming relics of their swift helper and intercessor, giving thanks to Almighty God. And having served a moleben to the great father, they returned to their own land, telling everyone everywhere what had happened to them on the way.

The Innumerable Miracles, and Glory to the All-holy Trinity

And many great and most glorious wonders this great servant of God wrought, helping those in troubles on land and on sea, saving from drowning, bringing up from the depth of the sea, delivering from captivity and carrying home, rescuing from bonds and prison, interceding against beheading by the sword and delivering from death. To many he gave many healings: to the blind to see, to the lame to walk, to the deaf to hear, to the dumb to speak. Many who suffered in poverty and in last destitution he enriched, and gave food to the hungry, and proved ready to help everyone in every need, a fervent intercessor, and a swift helper, and a defender. And even now he helps those who call upon him and delivers them from troubles. And his wonders cannot be counted, nor is it convenient to describe them all in detail. The East and the West know this great wonderworker, and all the ends of the earth see his wonderworking. And let God be glorified by him, the One in Trinity, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And let his holy name be honoured in praise by the mouths of all forever. Amen. If anyone wishes to learn of certain of the very great and most glorious miracles of this hierarch of Christ Nicholas, such as: of Basil, the son of Agricus, how he carried him in a moment from the Saracens; of Christopher the priest, whom he delivered from beheading by the sword; of Stephen, king of Serbia, to whom he granted the recovery of his sight; and of many other of his wonders — let him look for them in the Prologue of this same month and day, and again on the ninth day of May — on the translation of his honourable relics, and in the little book of his miracles, published in the Caves monastery in the year 1680 from the Nativity of Christ.