Who is Saint Nicholas
The man from Myra
Nicholas,
servant and friend of God,
for his holiness, bishop of Myra
Known as Santa Claus
A man
Defending his people
Defender of the faith
Today
In his memory
Children are gifted
All over the world
In European tradition
He enters the chimney
Helped by the chimney man
Patron Saint of Children
Life, writings and legacy of saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas, often called Nicholas of Myra or Nicholas the Wonderworker, is one of the most venerated saints in Christianity, particularly in Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, and Anglican traditions. Celebrated for his generosity, care for the poor, and miraculous deeds, Saint Nicholas is also the historical figure behind the modern Santa Claus.
Life of Saint Nicholas
- Birth and Early Life: Saint Nicholas was born around 270 AD in the city of Patara in Lycia, Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). His parents, who were devout Christians, passed away when he was young, leaving him with a substantial inheritance. Nicholas decided to use his wealth to serve the poor and vulnerable.
- Episcopal Ministry: Nicholas became the Bishop of Myra (present-day Demre, Turkey) in the 4th century. His episcopacy was marked by his unwavering commitment to protecting the weak, combating heresies, and supporting those in need.
- Defense of Orthodoxy: Nicholas is said to have attended the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, where he fervently opposed the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Christ. A famous, though apocryphal, story recounts Nicholas striking the heretic Arius during the council in defense of orthodox Christian doctrine.
- Death and Feast Day: Nicholas passed away on December 6, 343 AD. This date is celebrated as his feast day in both the Western and Eastern Christian traditions.
Writings of Saint Nicholas
There are no surviving writings or theological works definitively attributed to Saint Nicholas. However, his legacy is deeply embedded in the oral traditions, legends, and hagiographies written by others. These stories emphasize his virtues of charity, humility, and faith.
Miracles and Legends
- The Three Dowries: One of the most famous legends of Saint Nicholas is his provision of dowries for three impoverished daughters to save them from a life of servitude. He secretly delivered gold coins through their window (or chimney, in some versions), an act that inspired the tradition of gift-giving.
- Saving Sailors: Nicholas is often depicted as the patron saint of sailors due to a story in which he calmed a violent sea during a voyage, saving a ship and its crew.
- Rescuing Innocents: Another legend tells of Nicholas saving three falsely accused men from execution. He intervened just as the executioner was about to strike, demonstrating his role as a protector of justice.
Legacy
- Veneration Across Cultures: Nicholas is one of the most popular saints globally, revered in Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran traditions. His relics, primarily housed in the Basilica di San Nicola in Bari, Italy, attract pilgrims from around the world.
- Patron Saint: Nicholas is the patron saint of numerous groups, including children, sailors, merchants, and the wrongly accused. He is also the patron saint of cities like Amsterdam and Moscow.
- Santa Claus Tradition: In the Western world, Saint Nicholas became associated with the figure of Santa Claus. His feast day on December 6 evolved into a gift-giving tradition, which later merged with Christmas celebrations in many cultures.
- Iconography: In art, Saint Nicholas is often depicted in episcopal vestments, holding a crozier and sometimes with three gold balls or coins, symbolizing the dowry story.
Key Teachings and Virtues
- Generosity: Nicholas’ life is a testament to the transformative power of giving. His selfless acts inspired traditions of charity and gift-giving.
- Faith: His defense of Christian orthodoxy and miraculous deeds underline his deep faith.
- Justice and Compassion: Nicholas consistently protected the vulnerable, advocated for the wrongly accused, and upheld the dignity of all people.
Modern Devotion
- Eastern Orthodox Celebrations: Saint Nicholas remains a central figure in Orthodox Christian worship, celebrated with liturgies and hymns on his feast day.
- Western Traditions: In Europe, particularly in the Netherlands and Germany, the tradition of Sinterklaascontinues to honor Nicholas as a bringer of gifts and protector of children.
- Interfaith Appeal: Nicholas’ universal values of kindness and generosity have earned him admiration beyond Christianity, serving as a symbol of goodwill and charity.
Saint Nicholas’ life continues to inspire people of all ages to live virtuously, care for the less fortunate, and uphold truth and justice. His enduring legacy as both a saint and a cultural icon reflects his profound impact on the world.
His role in opposing Arianism
Saint Nicholas played a significant role in opposing Arianism, a theological doctrine that denied the full divinity of Jesus Christ. This conflict occurred during a time when the early Christian Church was wrestling with key questions about the nature of Christ and the Holy Trinity. Here’s an overview of Saint Nicholas’ involvement in this pivotal theological controversy:
Background on Arianism
- Arius, a priest from Alexandria, taught that Jesus Christ was not co-eternal with God the Father and was instead a created being, subordinate to the Father. Arius argued that there was a time when the Son did not exist, challenging the doctrine of Christ’s divine nature.
- This heresy threatened the unity of the Christian Church, as it directly contradicted the doctrine of the Trinity and the belief in Christ’s full divinity.
The First Council of Nicaea (325 AD)
- Emperor Constantine convened the First Council of Nicaea to address the Arian controversy and establish a unified Christian doctrine. Over 300 bishops from across the Roman Empire attended, including Nicholas, who was Bishop of Myra.
- The Council sought to affirm the orthodox belief in the full divinity of Christ, as stated in John 1:1 (“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”).
Nicholas’ Role
- Defender of Orthodoxy: Saint Nicholas was a staunch defender of the belief that Jesus Christ is fully divine and consubstantial (homoousios) with the Father. He viewed Arianism as a grave threat to the Christian faith because it undermined the doctrine of salvation. In Nicholas’ understanding, only a fully divine Christ could redeem humanity.
- Legend of the Confrontation with Arius:
- A famous (though apocryphal) story recounts that during a heated debate at the council, Saint Nicholas, overcome with zeal for the truth, struck Arius across the face. This act of passion led to his temporary removal from the council and the confiscation of his episcopal insignia.
- According to the legend, Nicholas was restored to his position after a vision of Christ and the Virgin Mary appeared to some of the other bishops, affirming his defense of orthodoxy.
- Support for the Nicene Creed: Nicholas supported the drafting and adoption of the Nicene Creed, which explicitly affirmed the consubstantiality of the Son with the Father, declaring Jesus to be “God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father.”
Impact of Nicholas’ Opposition to Arianism
- Preservation of Orthodoxy: Nicholas’ firm opposition to Arianism helped secure the orthodox understanding of Christ’s divinity. The Nicene Creed became a foundational statement of Christian faith, uniting the Church against heretical teachings.
- Symbol of Unwavering Faith: Nicholas’ bold actions, whether historical or legendary, cemented his reputation as a zealous defender of the faith. His willingness to risk his position for the truth made him a model of courage and conviction.
- Legacy of Doctrinal Clarity: The triumph over Arianism at Nicaea ensured that subsequent generations of Christians would affirm the divinity of Christ as central to their faith. Nicholas’ role in this theological battle contributed to his status as a “Wonderworker” and champion of orthodoxy.
Reflection on Nicholas’ Zeal
While some modern accounts question the historicity of the confrontation with Arius, the story reflects the depth of Saint Nicholas’ commitment to Christology. His opposition to Arianism reminds believers of the importance of standing firm in the face of challenges to core truths of the faith.
Saint Nicholas remains an enduring symbol of the Church’s dedication to the true understanding of Christ, inspiring Christians to hold fast to their beliefs with passion and humility.
