Archbishop
Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, was born around the year 280 in the city of Patara to a family of devout Christians. From an early age, he demonstrated piety, fasted, and loved church services. After the death of his parents, he distributed his inheritance to the needy, helping them secretly.
During a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, through the saint's prayer, a storm calmed, and he received a vision about his ministry. He became the bishop in Myra, where he wisely governed his flock and fought against heresies. Saint Nicholas was imprisoned during the persecutions of Christians, but after the persecutions ceased, he returned to his ministry.
At the First Ecumenical Council, Saint Nicholas, defending Orthodoxy, struck the heretic Arius, for which he was temporarily deprived of his rank, but soon was restored. He performed many miracles, saving people from hunger and disasters, and was known as the protector of the unjustly oppressed.
The saint peacefully departed to the Lord in deep old age around 345-351. In 1087, his relics were transferred to the city of Bari, where they rest in a marble sarcophagus. His birthday is celebrated on July 29, and the day of his repose is on December 6/19.
