Saint nicholas patron saint of children, Saint Nicholas was recognized as a saint long before the Roman Catholic began official canonization procedures during the tenth century. In fact, St. Nicholas patronage predates the schism between the Eastern and Western Churches in 1054. While many people may think the Roman Catholic Church is preeminent in determining saints, Orthodox and Anglicans have their own standards for recognizing and commemorating the saints.
Before formal canonization procedures were elected people venerated those who were exemplar in their faith. As a saint's reputation grew the saint received more widespread observance so formal procedures were not necessary. No biblical figures, including Jesus' disciples and early leaders of the church were canonized through any formal process.
Sailors carried Saint Nicholas stories to ports all over the world so that 200 years after his death, Saint Nicholas was well recognized and honored in many significant ways. Many seaports and river towns boast churches dedicated to St. Nicholas. Justinian built the church to honor St. Nicholas in Constantinople in the 6th Century.
Saint Nicholas was a Confessor having suffered persecution and imprisonment, torture and exile for publically declaring his faith. He lived beyond the persecution and grew in his faith--in displaying and sharing his faith--to die peacefully of old age.
The stories of St. Nicholas Patron are numerous from providing the dowries of three penniless girls to saving three children from a wicked innkeeper who hid their remains in a pickling tub. When Patron Saint Nicholas stopped at that very inn he dreamed of the crime the innkeeper committed and prayed. The three boys were restored to life and wellness. In France the innkeeper is replaced by an evil butcher who captured the children and murdered them. Both versions portray Saint Nicholas as a protector of children.
Among the stories of St. Nicholas aiding sailors there is the story of his pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It is said he walked where Jesus walked and sought to understand more deeply the experience of Jesus' life, passion and resurrection. He returned home by sea and one night the ship was threatened by a storm. Saint Nicholas prayed and the sea was calmed, amazing the terrified sailors. That is but one reason why he became Saint Nicholas patron of sailors and voyagers.
Stories abound of the way St. Nicholas saved people from famine, or spared the lives of the innocent or gave to the poor and needy. He called 'wonder worker'. St. Nicholas Patron Saint is the protector of mariners, bankers, scholars, orphans, laborers, travelers, merchants, judges, students, captives, marriageable maidens and is known as friend and protector of all who are in trouble or need. He is venerated by Catholics and Orthodox and honored by Protestants. His examples of generosity are a model of compassion and his traditions are carried out in many rituals on his feast day, December 6.
The Feast of Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Wonder-Worker is highly ranked in both Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra is listed in the Anglican Calendar of Saints and the Lutheran Festivals and Commemorations. The 1969 revision of the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints recognizes Saint Nicholas as a real saint. His authenticity is not doubted.
The calendar revisions did not remove Patron St. Nicholas from the roster of saints but it did remove his feast from the universal Roman liturgical calendar. That means, under Roman law, St. Nicholas Day falls on December 6, is optional rather than obligatory to celebrate or to attend Mass.
In conclusion, Patron Saint Nicholas' life really is an example of kindness and goodness and generosity to everyone. Even though, in today's world, he is more often affectionately referred to as 'St. Nick' or 'Santa Claus'; and though it would appear his tradition of giving is highly commercialized; his message of good will toward other and peace through kindness not only rings true but is widely practiced.
Before formal canonization procedures were elected people venerated those who were exemplar in their faith. As a saint's reputation grew the saint received more widespread observance so formal procedures were not necessary. No biblical figures, including Jesus' disciples and early leaders of the church were canonized through any formal process.
Sailors carried Saint Nicholas stories to ports all over the world so that 200 years after his death, Saint Nicholas was well recognized and honored in many significant ways. Many seaports and river towns boast churches dedicated to St. Nicholas. Justinian built the church to honor St. Nicholas in Constantinople in the 6th Century.
Saint Nicholas was a Confessor having suffered persecution and imprisonment, torture and exile for publically declaring his faith. He lived beyond the persecution and grew in his faith--in displaying and sharing his faith--to die peacefully of old age.
The stories of St. Nicholas Patron are numerous from providing the dowries of three penniless girls to saving three children from a wicked innkeeper who hid their remains in a pickling tub. When Patron Saint Nicholas stopped at that very inn he dreamed of the crime the innkeeper committed and prayed. The three boys were restored to life and wellness. In France the innkeeper is replaced by an evil butcher who captured the children and murdered them. Both versions portray Saint Nicholas as a protector of children.
Among the stories of St. Nicholas aiding sailors there is the story of his pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It is said he walked where Jesus walked and sought to understand more deeply the experience of Jesus' life, passion and resurrection. He returned home by sea and one night the ship was threatened by a storm. Saint Nicholas prayed and the sea was calmed, amazing the terrified sailors. That is but one reason why he became Saint Nicholas patron of sailors and voyagers.
Stories abound of the way St. Nicholas saved people from famine, or spared the lives of the innocent or gave to the poor and needy. He called 'wonder worker'. St. Nicholas Patron Saint is the protector of mariners, bankers, scholars, orphans, laborers, travelers, merchants, judges, students, captives, marriageable maidens and is known as friend and protector of all who are in trouble or need. He is venerated by Catholics and Orthodox and honored by Protestants. His examples of generosity are a model of compassion and his traditions are carried out in many rituals on his feast day, December 6.
The Feast of Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Wonder-Worker is highly ranked in both Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra is listed in the Anglican Calendar of Saints and the Lutheran Festivals and Commemorations. The 1969 revision of the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints recognizes Saint Nicholas as a real saint. His authenticity is not doubted.
The calendar revisions did not remove Patron St. Nicholas from the roster of saints but it did remove his feast from the universal Roman liturgical calendar. That means, under Roman law, St. Nicholas Day falls on December 6, is optional rather than obligatory to celebrate or to attend Mass.
In conclusion, Patron Saint Nicholas' life really is an example of kindness and goodness and generosity to everyone. Even though, in today's world, he is more often affectionately referred to as 'St. Nick' or 'Santa Claus'; and though it would appear his tradition of giving is highly commercialized; his message of good will toward other and peace through kindness not only rings true but is widely practiced.
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