The list of saints revered by the Orthodox Church is quite extensive. Moreover, it is replenished with new names to this day. But some canonized individuals occupy a special place in the Saints, and first among equals is St. Nicholas.
This saint is revered by all Christian denominations, but his admiration is especially pronounced in Orthodoxy. A powerful icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker can be found in any Orthodox church. The faces of the saint are necessarily included in home iconostases, and occupy the most honorable place there in close proximity to the face of Christ, the Mother of God and the image of the Holy Trinity.
Nicholas of Myra was deservedly nicknamed the Wonderworker during his lifetime. It is believed that even after death he continues to walk around the world and work miracles. Many of his icons are also recognized as miraculous and saving from misfortunes and illnesses.
Life path of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
Despite the fact that Saint Nicholas lived more than one and a half thousand years ago, quite a lot of information about his deeds has been preserved. However, as always happens, over time many of them turned into legends, and it is simply impossible to isolate the core of historical truth from them. Therefore, let us take on faith what is written in Orthodox literature, in particular in “The Life of St. Nicholas.”
Saint Nicholas is also revered in Islam. Of course, there are no icons of the Wonderworker in mosques and Muslim homes (images of people are prohibited in Islam), but many turn to him with requests for intercession.
Nicholas, who later became the Wonderworker, was born around 270 AD. in Patara. His parents were childless for a long time, but they sincerely prayed to God and hoped for his mercy. And the Lord gave them a son in their declining years.
From the first days of his life, Nikolai demonstrated piety and readiness to serve God. As the legend says, during baptism he (being a baby!) stood on his legs, and drank his mother’s milk only twice a week, thus maintaining fast.
From a young age, Nikolai strived for service with all his soul. His uncle and namesake, being the bishop of Patara, could not help but notice the zeal of the youth. Young Nicholas first became a reader at the temple, and then was elevated to the rank of clergy and became the bishop of Myra (hence the nickname of Myra).
Baptism of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
The territory of ancient Lycia is now located in Turkey, where the majority of residents profess Islam. Nevertheless, Nicholas is also revered by local residents, and thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to Myra (now Demre), where he lived and preached.
Nicholas led an ascetic and godly life. He gave all the inheritance he received from his wealthy parents to those in need, without beautiful gestures, almost in secret. He preferred simple clothing and food, did not disdain physical labor and constantly helped those in need.
His many years of imprisonment in prison, where he ended up during the time of Emperor Diocletian, a famous hater and persecutor of Christians, did not turn him away from the true faith. Returning from captivity, the pious bishop began to preach even more diligently.
The Saints mention many miracles that Nicholas performed. This is the resurrection of a sailor who crashed on the deck, the pacification of a storm, and so on. In addition, he performed simple human miracles: he helped the poor, acted as a defender of the slandered, and saved innocently convicted people from execution.
Nicholas the Wonderworker is considered the patron saint of sailors.
According to historical sources, Nicholas lived a long life for those times - about 80 years. And he dedicated all of it to serving God and helping others. After his death, his remains, immediately myrrhized, were buried in Lycia, from where they were subsequently taken to Italian Bari. Some of the relics are in Venice.
Nicholas the Wonderworker is identified with the European Santa Claus and our Father Frost. He secretly placed money under the doorstep of a poor widower who was raising three daughters. Thanks to this selfless help, the father was able to collect a dowry for his daughters, they got married safely and avoided the fate of harlots.
The beginning of the activity of the saint.
Saint Nicholas the Pleasant served the church during the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian, as well as Maximian. These two men hated Christians and issued decrees to persecute them. During this difficult period, temples, communities and other institutions were destroyed. But Nikolai Ugodnik was always on the side of the people. He was nicknamed the “defender” because he always defended the interests of innocently convicted and slandered people.
In addition, Nicholas often prayed for the sailors, mentally sending them good weather, protection from piracy and other adversities. Throughout the life of the saint, many miracles and deeds were attributed to him. The archbishop in Rus' was the most revered, as in the whole world. Today Nikolai Ugodnik (miracle worker) is a symbol of protection from diseases and an adviser in failures who will always help. His power will forever remain great for the Russian people.
The meaning of the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Orthodoxy
The significance of the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Orthodoxy is difficult to overestimate. The number of churches and icons dedicated to the Wonderworker is second only to the Mother of God. The name Nikolai was once the most popular in Russia. This was also the name given to many boys from imperial families who later became autocrats.
The face of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is found in every Orthodox church, and the number of churches consecrated in his honor exceeds 5 thousand. Several years ago, part of the relics of Nicholas were temporarily brought from Bari to Russia. In just over a month, over 2.5 million Russians came to bow to them.
Silver icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
Patron of travelers
To deeply understand what the icon of St. helps with. Nicholas the Wonderworker, one can only remember the deeds he performed on his life’s path. Thus, having once had God’s blessing to make long journeys, having acquired the Kingdom of Heaven after his blessed death, the saint invariably intercedes for everyone who is on the road.
He never ceases to pray to the Lord for those who are in the power of the water element, since he himself was once miraculously saved from the wrath of the raging waves. At all times, prayers for help to those sailing and traveling have been and continue to be heard before his honest image, and he himself is considered the patron saint of sailors.
How does the icon of St. Nicholas help?
The icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker helps everyone who prays for protection and patronage. It is believed that most of all the saint patronizes travelers, warriors, merchants, bankers, students and, of course, children. The icon protects those innocently slandered and condemned from unfair trials, and helps those who have stumbled to take the right path.
Nikolai Ugodnik helps those who have quarreled to reconcile, the sick to recover from illnesses and addictions, the lonely to find family happiness, give birth and raise healthy children. In general, if you come to church and don’t know which saint to ask for protection, go to Nicholas - you can’t go wrong.
An image that turns away from sin
An example of this is the image known as “Nikola the Disgusting.” It is characterized by the fact that on it the face of the holy wonderworker, which occupies almost the entire board, is given particularly stern features, and his eyes are averted to the side, as if refusing to look at the iniquities committed by people. Researchers believe that this type of icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker among the Kerzhaks - members of Old Believer communities who settled, starting in the 18th century, in the Nizhny Novgorod province along the banks of the Kerzhenets River. They were particularly ardent adherents of “ancient piety,” and the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, born in their workshops, was, first of all, supposed to turn people away from the sin that filled the world after the Nikon reform, which was, in their opinion, ungodly.
When is the feast of the icon of St. Nicholas
There are two well-known holidays of the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker: summer (spring) and winter. The Day of the Spring Nicholas Icon is celebrated on May 22 according to the new style. It is dedicated to the transfer of the relics of the saint to Bari.
The Day of the Icon of St. Nicholas the Winter is celebrated on December 19, on the eve of the New Year and Christmas. This holiday is dedicated to the blessed dormition of the saint.
Recently, another holiday dedicated to St. Nicholas has been revived in Russia. This is his Christmas, which falls on August 11th according to the modern calendar.
Defender of victims of arbitrariness
As is known, during the days of his earthly life the saint, interceding for victims of oppression, fearlessly entered into conflicts with the powers that be, endangering himself, and pacified the anger of the rulers. The Lord preserved this grace for him even after his blessed death. Therefore, from time immemorial it is believed that among the numerous host of saints who find themselves at the Throne of God, there is no better defender than him, and prayers for help offered before the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, are extraordinarily blessed. It is not for nothing that in one of them (the text is given in the article) he is called a “warm intercessor” and a “quick helper” in all sorrows.
Miracles associated with the icon of St. Nicholas the Pleasant
People believe that Nicholas still walks the earth and works miracles. Each miracle of the icon is evidence of the patronage of the saint, who to this day cares for those living on earth.
There are many publications on the Internet dedicated to the modern miracles of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. It helps to avoid accidents, find a job, recover from illnesses, arrange your personal life, achieve a fair trial - to list all the miracles of the Pleasant, more than one similar article is needed.
How to pray in front of an icon, where to place it?
The image of St. Nicholas the Pleasant in full height and in bright colors is best hung on the eastern wall of the house. It should not be adjacent to household appliances, secular paintings and books.
For a home iconostasis, it is better to choose a half-length image of the Wonderworker and place it to the left of the image of the Savior.
Silver pendant "St. Nicholas"
Texts of prayers
You need to pray with concentration and sincerity. Joint prayers are welcome, but those turning to the image should not interfere with each other and distract each other with conversations from addressing the saint.
Prayer for Intercession
Oh, all-validated and all-honorable bishop, great miracle worker, saint of Christ, Father Nicholas, man of God and faithful servant, man of desires, chosen vessel, strong pillar of the church, bright lamp, star shining and illuminating the whole universe: you are a righteous man, like a blossoming phoenix , planted in the courts of your Lord, living in Mireh, you were fragrant with the world and the ever-flowing myrrh exuded the grace of God. By your procession, holy father, the sea was sanctified, when your many-wonderful relics marched to the city of Barsky, from east to west to praise the name of the Lord. Oh, wonderful and wondrous miracle worker, quick helper, warm intercessor, kind shepherd, saving the verbal flock from all troubles! We glorify and magnify you, as the hope of all Christians, the source of miracles, the protector of the faithful, the wise teacher, the hungry feeder, the weeping joy, the naked, the sick doctor, the sea-floating steward, the liberator of captives, the widows and orphans, the nourisher and protector, the guardian of chastity, infants a meek chastiser, the old strengthened, fasting a mentor, the toilers restful, the poor and wretched abundantly rich. Hear us praying to you and running under your roof, show your intercession for us to the Most High and intercede with your God-pleasing prayers everything useful for the salvation of our souls and bodies: preserve this holy monastery (or this temple), every city and the whole, and every country Christian, and people living from all bitterness with your help, we know, we know how much the prayer of the righteous can do, hastening for good: for you, the righteous, according to the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, intercessor to the All-Merciful God of the Imams, and to yours, most kind father, warm intercession and we humbly flow to intercession. You protect us, like a cheerful and warm shepherd, from all enemies, destruction, cowardice, hail, famine, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners, and in all our troubles and sorrows, give us a helping hand, and open the doors of God’s mercy: tenderly We are unworthy to behold the heights of heaven, from the multitude of our iniquities, bound by sinful bonds, and neither the will of our Creator nor the will of our creator, nor the preservation of His commandments. At the same time, we bow our contrite and humble hearts to our Creator, and we ask for your fatherly intercession to Him: help us, servant of God, so that we do not perish with our iniquities, deliver us from all evil and from all things that are resistant, guide our minds and strengthen our hearts ours in the right faith, in which through your intercession and intercession, we will not be belittled by wounds, nor rebuke, nor by pestilence, nor by any wrath from our Creator, but let us live a peaceful life here and may we be worthy to see good on the land of the living, glorifying the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, One in the Trinity, glorified and worshiped God, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer for help on the road
O Saint Nicholas of Christ! Hear us, sinful servants of God (names), praying to you, and pray for us, unworthy, our Creator and Master, make our God merciful to us in this life and in the future, so that he does not reward us according to our deeds, but according to his own He will reward us with goodness. Deliver us, saints of Christ, from the evils that come upon us, and tame the waves, passions and troubles that rise against us, so that for the sake of your holy prayers the attack will not overwhelm us and we will not wallow in the abyss of sin and in the mud of our passions. Pray to Saint Nicholas, Christ our God, that he may grant us a peaceful life and remission of sins, and salvation and great mercy for our souls, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Prayer for Healing
O all-holy Nicholas, exceedingly saintly saint of the Lord, our warm intercessor, and everywhere in sorrow a quick helper, help me, sinful and sad, in this life, beg the Lord God to grant me the remission of all my sins, which I have sinned greatly from my youth, throughout my life. in my deed, word, thought and all my feelings; and at the end of my soul, help me the accursed, beg the Lord God of all creation, the Creator, to deliver me from airy ordeals and eternal torment, so that I always glorify the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and your merciful intercession, now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen.
The words of canonical prayers have passed through millennia and acquired great power. But it is unlikely that Saint Nicholas the Pleasant will refuse to help a person who sincerely prays in front of his icon with simple words coming from the heart!
26.08.21
Priest, bishop, heavenly inhabitant
Many saints revered by the Western and Eastern churches came from modern Turkey. Then these were Christian lands - some pseudo-historians even claim that Christ was executed there. But in the time of St. Nicholas is still far from being captured by the Turks; Christianity is growing stronger and flourishing with great ascetics of piety. Lycia, where he was born, was a famous country mentioned in the Iliad.
From infancy, the future saint was different from other children. His soul was an adult - he was not interested in ordinary noisy fun - Nikolai learned to read and write early and spent his time reading the Holy Scriptures. Although on icons Nicholas the Wonderworker is always depicted as an old man, his entire life’s path was filled with piety. Those around him also noticed the young man’s special spiritual gifts. That's why the residents of Patara asked him to serve as a priest.
- While making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Nicholas was caught in a strong storm. Through the prayers of the saint, the storm subsided and no one died. This is the first known miracle performed during life.
- A well-known fact from his biography: being from a wealthy family, the saint gave all his money to the poor, deciding to spend his time and energy only on serving God.
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The priest also received the rank of bishop thanks to a miracle - he was unknown to anyone, although he was distinguished by his piety. This is how the Lord showed His will. On icons, Nicholas the Wonderworker is always depicted in bishop's vestments. Here are some parts of church attire:
- Omophorion is a wide long ribbon embroidered with crosses and other ornaments. Throws over the shoulder, on top of other clothes. Symbolizes the sheep that the shepherd carries on his shoulder - a biblical image indicating that the priest should care for his parishioners as a shepherd cares for his flock.
- On the head is a miter embroidered with stars, a high headdress decorated with the image of the Savior, a symbol of the power of Christ (the priest is his image), also a memory of the crown of thorns. It also symbolizes that the clergyman is united with the Church, like a groom and a bride, and completely devotes his entire life to her.
- Panagia is a small icon on a chain. Wearing a panagia is the privilege of a bishop. During the service, a cross is added to it; outside the service, one panagia is worn. Most often it is an image of the Mother of God, but there is also an image of the Trinity, the Ascension, and the Calvary Cross.
If the miter and panagia may be missing, then on any icon St. Nicholas will be holding the Gospel in his hand. He holds it on his left hand and blesses it with his right hand: just like the sign of the cross, the blessing in the Eastern Church is performed only with the right hand.
