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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.
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 St. Nicholas Uganda Children's Fund |