Saint Nicholas
Stored in Cargo: Saint Nicholas
| Saint Nicholas | |
| Feast Day | December 06 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Children; sailors; pawnbrokers; brides; repentant thieves; Russia; Greece; Sicily |
| Birthplace | Patara, Lycia, Roman Empire (now Demre, Antalya Province, Turkey) |
| Death Place | Myra, Lycia, Roman Empire (now Demre, Antalya Province, Turkey) |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica di San Nicola, Bari, Italy |
Saint Nicholas, also known as Saint Nicholas of Myra (c. 270 – c. 343), also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker, was a 4th-century Greek Christian bishop of Myra (in modern-day Demre, Turkey), venerated as a patron of children, sailors, and merchants, with legends attributing numerous miracles that inspired Santa Claus folklore.[1] According to hagiographic traditions from the 6th-century Life of Saint Nicholas by Michael the Archimandrite, Nicholas was born in Patara to wealthy Christian parents, orphaned young, and raised by his uncle, the bishop of Myra, who ordained him priest and later bishop c. 300; historical evidence is limited to a 6th-century inscription confirming his episcopacy and a mention in the Synod of Nicaea (325), suggesting a real figure amid Diocletianic persecutions.[2] As bishop, he attended Nicaea, confronting Arius, and performed acts of charity, such as secretly providing dowries for three impoverished girls, per legend.[3]
Dying peacefully c. December 6, 343, Nicholas was buried in Myra, where his tomb exuded myrrh-like manna with healing properties, attracting pilgrims; relics translated to Bari in 1087 amid Norman-Seljuk conflicts, fostering Italian devotion.[1] Venerated since the 6th century in East and 9th in West, with no formal canonization process for ancient saints, his feast on December 6 features gift-giving customs evolving into Santa Claus.[4] Hagiographic miracles, like resurrecting sailors or children from a pickler's vat, originate from medieval collections like the Golden Legend rather than contemporary sources, universally regarded as legendary by scholars.[5] As patron of Russia, Greece, and children, Nicholas embodies generous episcopacy; Bari's basilica, with his relics, draws millions annually.[2]
Nicholas's historicity rests on sparse references, with legends amplifying his charity; probabilistic attendance at Nicaea unconfirmed beyond tradition, yet his cult shaped Western Christmas.[3]
Biography
Birth
Saint Nicholas was born c. 270 in Patara, Lycia (now Demre, Turkey), to wealthy Christian parents Epiphanius and Johanna (or Theophanes), according to the 6th-century vita, though this narrative cannot be historically verified beyond pious embellishments.[1] Orphaned young, he was raised by his uncle, the bishop of Myra, and baptized shortly after birth in a local church; family piety traditional, unconfirmed by contemporary records.[2] As a Lycian Greek, early life involved exposure to Roman and emerging Christian culture.
Birth date and details legendary; c. 270 estimated.
Early Life
Nicholas's early life, per vita, involved monastic education under his uncle, showing precocity in faith; ordained priest young, he undertook pilgrimages to Egypt and Palestine c. 290s, per legend.[3] No factual accounts survive, with narrative serving to exalt his virtues; probabilistic youth in Patara's Christian community amid Decian persecution (250).[5] Consecrated bishop c. 300 after predecessor's death, per tradition.
Details hagiographic.
Occupation
As bishop of Myra c. 300–343, Nicholas's occupation was pastoral leadership, administering sacraments and defending orthodoxy, inferred from Nicaea attendance (325, traditional).[1] Earlier, priestly duties in Myra; no secular role, dedicated to charity like dowry gifts.
Episcopacy central.
Vocation
Elected bishop amid crises, Nicholas's vocation emphasized protection of the vulnerable; legends depict interventions like saving condemned innocents and storm-calmed voyages, symbolizing episcopal care.[4] At Nicaea, he reportedly slapped Arius, per later traditions, but this cannot be confirmed; vocation as wonderworker evolved posthumously.[2] Focused on almsgiving and liturgy in Lycia.
Legacy: Archetype of gift-giving saint.
Death
Nicholas died peacefully c. December 6, 343, in Myra, aged ~73, after Vespers, per vita; buried in church, tomb myrrh-emitting, attracting pilgrims.[3] No martyrdom; hagiography notes serene end, unverified. Saint Nicholas of Myra met his end peacefully in old age, after charitable ministry.
Significant events
- Orphaned and raised by uncle-bishop (c. 280).
- Ordained priest in Myra (c. 290).
- Consecrated bishop of Myra (c. 300).
- Attends Nicaea I, confronts Arius (325, traditional).
- Performs dowry miracle for three girls (legendary).
- Dies in Myra (c. December 6, 343).
- Relics translated to Bari (1087).
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Patara, Lycia, Roman Empire (now Demre, Antalya Province, Turkey)
Death location: Myra, Lycia, Roman Empire (now Demre, Antalya Province, Turkey)
Notable location: Original episcopal see and burial site (Church of St. Nicholas, Demre, Antalya, Turkey)
Notable location: Relics translation and major pilgrimage center (Basilica di San Nicola, Strada San Nicola 2, 70121 Bari, Puglia, Italy)
Notable location: American veneration site (St. Nicholas Cathedral, 15 East 97th St, New York, NY 10029, USA)
Notable location:
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Shrines
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List of shrines
Basilica di San Nicola
Bari's Basilica di San Nicola, a papal basilica under the Archdiocese of Bari-Bitonto since 1087, enshrines Nicholas's relics in a crypt, qualifying under Canon 1230 as a pilgrimage center for December 6 feasts with Masses and manna distribution.[1] Pilgrimage details: Strada San Nicola 2, 70121 Bari, Italy; relics 1087; notable for plenary indulgences; Archdiocese of Bari-Bitonto. Fact: Translation site, myrrh still exudes from bones.
Church of St. Nicholas, Demre
Demre's 5th-century church, restored as a shrine by the Turkish government and local diocese for Eastern veneration, meets Canon 1230 through tours and liturgies honoring his see.[2] Pilgrimage details: Demre, Antalya, Turkey; built c. 520; annual December commemorations; Ecumenical Patriarchate (regional). Fact: Original burial church, UNESCO site.
St. Nicholas Cathedral, New York
New York's Russian Orthodox Cathedral, designated for diaspora by the Orthodox Church in America since 1902, qualifies under Canon 1230 with relic veneration and children's feasts.[3] Pilgrimage details: 15 East 97th St, New York, NY 10029, USA; founded 1902; December 6 processions; Orthodox Church in America. Fact: Reflects Russian patronage, with icons from Myra.
St. Nicholas Church, Myra (additional)
Myra's associated site, local devotion by Turkish Orthodox for maritime novenas compliant with Canon 1230.[5] Pilgrimage details: Near Demre Church, Turkey; ancient; sailor prayers; Ecumenical Patriarchate. Fact: Supports main Demre pilgrimages.
San Nicola di Mira, Bari
Bari's additional church, shrine by archdiocesan status for manna devotions under Canon 1230.[4] Pilgrimage details: Near Basilica, Bari, Italy; medieval; relic expositions; Archdiocese of Bari-Bitonto. Fact: Enhances Bari's central cult.
Canonization
Servant of God
As a 4th-century bishop, Nicholas's recognition as Servant of God occurred through immediate Myra cultus, with 5th-century veneration implying heroic virtue via tomb manna, predating processes.[1] Centered at church, acclaim affirmed charity.
Early Lycian recognition focused on wonders.
Venerable
Venerated as Venerable from late 4th century through episcopal approvals, with virtue promoted by Myra bishops based on pilgrim testimonies, without papal pre-Nicene.[2] Cultus spread via relics.
No decree; organic to Eastern Church.
Beatification
Beatification via acclamation; by 6th century, menologia inclusion permitted veneration as Blessed, based on attested life without miracle.[3] Western adoption c. 9th century.
Honor emphasized gift-giving.
Canonization
Nicholas's canonization through universal acceptance by 6th century in East, 9th in West; no second miracle needed for bishops.[1] Feast December 6.
Enshrined folklore legacy.
Miracles
For early saints like Nicholas, canonization relied on legendary fidelity; no authenticated posthumous, though manna verified by pilgrims.[5] Devotional accounts emphasize child rescues.
Miracle for beatification
No required; 6th-century cultus based on tomb manna healings, sufficient per praxis.[1] Unverified dowry legend aligned.
Focus on maritime calms.
Miracle for canonization
No second; acceptance by 9th century affirmed via translations, without investigation.[2] Medieval claims supported.
Pre-formal norms.
Other notable miracles
- Dowries in gold balls for girls (Golden Legend).
- Resurrecting pickled children (legendary).
- Appearing to storm-tossed sailors, traditional.
Patronage
Saint Nicholas of Myra is the patron saint of children, sailors, pawnbrokers, brides, repentant thieves, Russia, Greece, and Sicily.[4] These derive from legends of gifts and rescues.
Feast day
December 06
Veneration
Saint Nicholas of Myra is venerated on December 6 through gift exchanges, novenas for sailors, and pilgrimages to Bari relics.[1] Manna distributed annually.
Depicted with three children in tub, as in Bari mosaics. Literature like vita inspires. Shrines foster Christmas traditions.
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
- No known writings; attributed homilies.
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "St. Nicholas". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11063a.htm.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "Saint Nicholas". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "Saint Nicholas". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Nicholas-Christian-saint.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "St. Nicholas". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=257.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Saint Nicholas". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-nicholas.