St. Nicholas the Wonderworker December 6 Ordained by his uncle Nicholas, Bishop of Patara, St. Nicholas became a monk at New Sion, a monastery founded by his uncle. He served as a priest in the city of Patara in Lycia, then began a life of solitude and silence until a heavenly voice announced to him, "Nicholas, set about your work among the people if you desire to receive a crown from Me." Immediately after that he was chosen as archbishop of Myra in Lycia, now modern day Turkey. Nicholas was imprisoned during the persecutions of Diocletian and Maximian, but continued to preach the word of the Lord from his cell. During the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea in 325, Nicholas argued with Bishop Arius, and struck him. He was removed from the Council and from his duties as bishop until some of the chief hierarchs had a vision of Christ and His holy Mother showing their sympathy for Nicholas. St. Nicholas served the people with justice and the truth of God. Twice he saved three men from wrongful sentences of death, and was considered a saint even during his lifetime among those who turned to him when in distress. He would appear in dreams and in person to those who needed him, both far and wide. His face shone like Moses' of old and his presence would bring peace among people. In his old age, St. Nicholas fell asleep in the Lord on December 6th, 343, of natural causes. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children, merchants, sailors and scholars, and is a protective symbol for travelers against highwaymen. Close Window