Nicholas the Wonderworker was born on August 11 (new style) in the second half of the third century in the city of Patara, Lycian region (Greek colony of the Roman Empire). The parents of Nicholas the Wonderworker were pious Christians from a noble and noble family. Until the very old age, these people could not conceive a child and asked in prayers to the Lord for the gift of a son, promising to devote him to serving God. Their prayer was heard, and a baby was born, who was given the name Nikolai (translated from Greek - "the winner of the nations").
From childhood, Nicholas excelled in the study of the Scriptures, prayed, observed fasting and read divine books. His uncle, Bishop Nicholas of Patara, rejoicing at the spiritual successes of his nephew, elevated Nicholas to the rank of priest, making him his assistant.
During his lifetime, Saint Nicholas performed many virtues. More than once the saint saved those drowning in the sea, brought them out of captivity and imprisonment in dungeons. Through the prayers of the saint, the city of Myra was saved from a severe famine.
Having reached a ripe old age, Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker peacefully departed to the Lord on December 19 around 345. The body of the Pleasant of God was honorably laid in the cathedral church of the Secular Metropolitanate. The relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker were kept incorrupt and exuded a healing ointment, from which many received healings.
More than 700 years have passed since the death of the Pleasant of God. The city of Myra and the entire Lycian country were destroyed by the Saracens. The ruins of the temple with the saint's tomb were desolate and were cut by only a few monks.
In 1087 Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker appeared in a dream to a priest of the city of Bari (in southern Italy) and ordered to transfer his relics to this city. Noble townspeople equipped three ships for this purpose and, disguised as a merchant, set off. This precaution was necessary in order to lull the vigilance of the Venetians, who, having learned about the preparations of the inhabitants of Bari, had the intention of outstripping them and bringing the relics of the saint to their city.
The Baryans arrived in the Lycian land by a roundabout route. The wonderfully preserved white marble tomb has been uncovered. It turned out to be filled to the brim with a fragrant world, in which the relics of the saint were immersed. Unable to take the heavy tomb, the gentlemen transferred the relics to the prepared ark and set off on their way back.
A solemn welcome was arranged for the great shrine. At first, the relics of the saint were placed in the church of St. Eustathius. The celebration of the transfer of the shrine was accompanied by numerous miraculous healings of the sick. Two years later, the lower part of the new church in the name of St. Nicholas was completed and consecrated, built deliberately to store his relics, where they were solemnly transferred on October 1, 1089.
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Around 1097, part of the remains of Nicholas the Wonderworker was kidnapped and transported to Venice. It was decided to keep them in a church on the island of Lido, which was consecrated in honor of St. Nicholas. For several years, the inhabitants of the islands of Lido and Bari had fierce disputes over the relics of St. Nicholas. Each side assured that the real relics were kept with them. Their expertise judged, which proved that in both cases there is truth. Most of the relics are kept in Bari, and only one-fifth in Lido.
The pleasing of God has become one of the most revered saints in Orthodox Russia. Before the revolution, believers from the Russian Empire made up the bulk of the pilgrims who came to Bari. Therefore, here in 1917 the Russian Orthodox Church built a temple in honor of St. Nicholas. Moreover, the money for the construction was collected throughout Russia.
They pray to Nicholas the Wonderworker for marriage, for wealth in money, for travelers, for protection and intercession. Memorial Day of St. Nicholas - December 19 and May 22.
Prepared by T. Osipova
