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Saint Nicholas of Myra
The life and miracles of Saint Nicholas of Myra, the Wonder-worker and beloved saint
The life and miracles of Saint Nicholas of Myra, the Wonder-worker and beloved saint
Saint Nicholas of Myra (c. 270-343 AD), known as the Wonder-worker, is one of the most beloved and widely venerated saints in Christian history. His life of generosity, miraculous interventions, and pastoral care has inspired countless generations and made him a model of Christian charity and episcopal leadership.
Nicholas was born around 270 AD in Patara, a city in Lycia (modern-day Turkey), to wealthy Christian parents named Theophanes and Nonna. From his earliest years, Nicholas showed signs of exceptional piety and devotion to God.
When his parents died during an epidemic, Nicholas inherited their considerable wealth. Rather than using it for personal comfort, he dedicated his life and fortune to serving God and helping those in need, particularly the poor, orphans, and widows.
One of the most famous stories from Nicholas’s youth involves a poor man who had three daughters but no money for their dowries. Without dowries, the daughters faced a life of destitution or worse. Learning of their plight, Nicholas secretly threw bags of gold through their window on three separate nights, providing each daughter with a dowry.
This act of anonymous charity became the foundation of Nicholas’s reputation as a secret gift-giver and protector of children and families. The tradition of leaving gifts secretly, particularly for children, traces back to this holy act of generosity.
Nicholas was chosen as Bishop of Myra while still a young man, reportedly through divine revelation. The existing bishops had prayed for guidance in selecting a new bishop, and were told in a vision to choose the first man named Nicholas who entered the church the next morning.
As bishop, Nicholas became known for:
Saint Nicholas participated in the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, where he stood firmly against the Arian heresy that denied the divinity of Christ. According to tradition, Nicholas was so zealous for Orthodox truth that he struck the heretic Arius during the council proceedings.
While this action initially resulted in his temporary removal from the episcopal throne, the other bishops recognized his zeal for truth and restored him after he demonstrated humility and repentance for his impulsive action.
Saint Nicholas became famous throughout the Christian world for his miraculous interventions:
Calming Storms: Sailors caught in violent storms would pray to Saint Nicholas, and he would appear to calm the seas and guide ships to safety.
Saving the Condemned: Nicholas repeatedly intervened to save innocent people from execution, appearing to judges and officials in dreams or in person to prevent injustice.
Multiplying Grain: During a severe famine in Myra, Nicholas convinced ship captains to share their grain cargo, which miraculously multiplied to feed the entire city without diminishing the ships’ loads.
Rescuing Children: Many stories tell of Nicholas rescuing children from danger, including the famous account of restoring to life three children who had been murdered by an innkeeper.
As Bishop of Myra, Nicholas was known for his exceptional pastoral care:
During the persecution under Emperor Diocletian (303-311 AD), Nicholas was imprisoned and tortured for his faith. He endured these sufferings with patience and continued to encourage other Christians to remain faithful.
When Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity, Nicholas was released and returned to his episcopal duties with even greater zeal for serving his flock.
Saint Nicholas died on December 6, 343 AD, and was buried in his cathedral church in Myra. His tomb immediately became a place of pilgrimage, and miraculous healings were reported there.
In 1087, Italian merchants transported his relics to Bari, Italy, where they remain to this day in the Basilica of Saint Nicholas. The translation of his relics is commemorated on May 9th.
Saint Nicholas represents several important aspects of Christian discipleship:
Charity in Action: His life demonstrates that true faith must be expressed through generous love for others, especially the poor and vulnerable.
Episcopal Leadership: He shows how bishops should be fathers to their people, protecting, providing, and guiding with love.
Defense of Truth: His participation at Nicaea reminds us that love must be balanced with zeal for Orthodox doctrine.
Intercessory Prayer: The countless miracles attributed to his intercession demonstrate the communion of saints and the power of prayer.
Saint Nicholas’s influence extends far beyond the Orthodox Church:
Saint Nicholas is commemorated on December 6th (December 19th New Style), and the translation of his relics is celebrated on May 9th (May 22nd New Style). He is also remembered every Thursday in the weekly cycle of Orthodox worship.
His troparion proclaims: “The truth of things revealed you to your flock as a rule of faith, an image of meekness, and a teacher of temperance; therefore you have achieved the heights by humility, riches by poverty. Holy Father Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God that our souls may be saved.”
Orthodox Christians frequently invoke Saint Nicholas in times of trouble, particularly:
Saint Nicholas continues to be one of the most beloved and frequently invoked saints, demonstrating that his spirit of generous love and miraculous intervention remains alive in the Church today.
“The truth of things revealed you to your flock as a rule of faith, an image of meekness, and a teacher of temperance.” - Troparion of Saint Nicholas