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| Holy Hierarch and Wonderworker Nicholas Archbishop of Myra in Lycia |
St. Nicholas was born in the 3rd century A.D. in the town of Patara in Lycia, a Greek-speaking part of
the Roman Empire. Today this area lies on the southern coast of Turkey. He was the only son of
wealthy but pious Christian parents who died in an epidemic when he was still young. He was raised
by his uncle Nicholas, Bishop of Patara. Even as a youth, St. Nicholas dedicated his life to serving God
and used his entire inheritance to assist the poor. He was ordained a presbyter of the Church and was
imprisoned during the persecutions of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. He later was elected Bishop of
the city of Myra.
He was widely known for his generosity to the poor, and as a protector of the innocent and wronged.
He is the patron saint of children. One well-known story concerns a man of Patara who lost all his
money and intended to sell his three daughters into prostitution because he could not afford dowries
for them. Wishing to help in secret and to spare the father the humiliation of accepting charity,
Nicholas, at night, threw three bags of gold through an open window for the girls,
saving them from a life of shame and degradation.
St. Nicholas had once desired a life of solitude as a monk, but heard a voice from
heaven telling him to work among the people. He was a true shepherd of his flock,
known far and wide for assisting the needy, the sick,and the suffering. He passed
from this life on December 6, 343 A.D.
St. Nicholas is loved and honored by Christians around the world. Eastern Orthodox,
Roman Catholic, Anglican, and many Protestant believers all hold him in high esteem.
His memory is also greatly respected by Moslem Turks from his home region.
the Roman Empire. Today this area lies on the southern coast of Turkey. He was the only son of
wealthy but pious Christian parents who died in an epidemic when he was still young. He was raised
by his uncle Nicholas, Bishop of Patara. Even as a youth, St. Nicholas dedicated his life to serving God
and used his entire inheritance to assist the poor. He was ordained a presbyter of the Church and was
imprisoned during the persecutions of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. He later was elected Bishop of
the city of Myra.
He was widely known for his generosity to the poor, and as a protector of the innocent and wronged.
He is the patron saint of children. One well-known story concerns a man of Patara who lost all his
money and intended to sell his three daughters into prostitution because he could not afford dowries
for them. Wishing to help in secret and to spare the father the humiliation of accepting charity,
Nicholas, at night, threw three bags of gold through an open window for the girls,
saving them from a life of shame and degradation.
St. Nicholas had once desired a life of solitude as a monk, but heard a voice from
heaven telling him to work among the people. He was a true shepherd of his flock,
known far and wide for assisting the needy, the sick,and the suffering. He passed
from this life on December 6, 343 A.D.
St. Nicholas is loved and honored by Christians around the world. Eastern Orthodox,
Roman Catholic, Anglican, and many Protestant believers all hold him in high esteem.
His memory is also greatly respected by Moslem Turks from his home region.
| ©2008-2011 St. Nicholas Uganda Children's Fund |
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