When is St. Nicholas day in the year. Happy holiday! Nikola winter - folk traditions

20.09.2019

We all know the feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker well. Since childhood, we know that on this day all obedient kids receive gifts that the saint leaves under his pillow or in his shoes. At the same time, not everyone is aware of who Nicholas the Wonderworker was, what deeds he performed, what kind of traditions are associated with his name in different countries and beliefs.

memory of Saint Nicholas

In Slavic countries, it is customary to celebrate on December 19 the feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The most interesting and memorable moment of a significant date (especially for children) is the arrival at night of a fairy-tale character who puts presents for the kids near the bed, in shoes or in special decorated socks prepared in advance.

It is interesting to know where this tradition came from and whether the holiday of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker has historical roots? In fact, there was such a story in the life of the saint: a poor family lived with him in a neighboring house, the woman died early, and the man remained a widower, but he had a beautiful young daughter who loved a guy from a rich family. Wealthy parents of a young man did not accept a poor girl without a dowry. Nikolai decided to help the beauty, because he had an inheritance from his parents. Then he changed his clothes so that no one could recognize him. Approaching the poor house at night, he threw a bag of gold money into the window of the room. So, the saint helped two beloved hearts to unite. From this, Nikolai himself was incredibly happy.

Then the Wonderworker began to walk around the city and bring clothes, food and toys to the poor. He always did it at night, but the inhabitants still tracked him down and were very surprised that a modest guy brings people selfless good. A little later, Nicholas was chosen as a bishop.

The life of a saint

The life of Nicholas the Wonderworker is not at all shrouded in legends. This saint was a real-life historical figure. He is believed to have been born in 270 CE. e. and lived until 345. The parents of Nicholas the Wonderworker were very pious and wealthy people: Feofan and Nona. He was the only child in the family. His parents prayed constantly, as for a long time they had no children at all. When a baby appeared in their family, they promised God that the life of Nicholas would be devoted to worship, faith and religion. Everything did not happen as it was intended, because the boy was left an orphan. The life of Nicholas the Wonderworker at that time was marked by the fact that he began to live away from people, like a hermit. The man was fully engaged in scientific activities.

Nicholas the Wonderworker was among the participating bishops in the first Ecumenical Christian Council in 325. He did many holy deeds and miraculous things:

when three military leaders were slandered, Nicholas saved them from death;
prevented a severe famine of the inhabitants of his native city called Mira;
he more than once saved people on water and land from misfortune and hunger.

Nicholas died when he was 75 years old. After that, his relics began to emit the fragrance of a healing substance, which greatly exalted him and glorified him. More recently, in 2009, on the basis of X-rays and cranioscopy, scientists were able to describe the facial features of the saint. It was determined that he was a short man (about 1 meter 68 centimeters) with a high forehead, protruding cheekbones and chin, he had brown eyes and dark skin.

How does Nicholas the Wonderworker help?

During his life, many holy deeds and miracles were performed by Nicholas the Wonderworker. How does he help us? ordinary people? It is believed that the saint is the protector and benefactor of the poor common people and children, as well as those who are engaged in navigation and trade. There is a story that once Nikolai was able to resurrect a simple navigator who fell off the ship during one of his campaigns during a storm and crashed to death. The people believe that St. Nicholas the Wonderworker helps not only sailors, but also the military, ordinary workers, and peasants. As folk wisdom says: "Nikolai will save even at sea, Nikolai will help the peasant to lift the cart."

Saint Nicholas helps people:

Get rid of evil thoughts and bad intentions.
Find and create a harmonious relationship with the second half.
Strengthen the bonds of marriage, preserve the happiness and love of married life.
It also helps those who were innocently condemned and slandered.

Nicholas the Wonderworker supports people. What else does it help and in what cases can you turn to it? The saint will support if common man arose difficult situations in life and material problems. Girls who are not yet married ask him for a successful future marriage. Women who are already bonded pray for understanding and love with their husband. People whose profession is associated with a dangerous road (drivers, sailors, travelers, etc.) turn to the saint so that they are lucky, the danger is over.

relics

After the death of Nicholas the Wonderworker in 345, his relics became incorruptible and were kept in one of the churches in Mir's native city. As already mentioned, they began to pour out the fragrance of a healing substance. His myrrh healed many believers from a wide variety of ailments. In the eleventh century, military raids on Byzantium took place: they tried to plunder and desecrate the relics of the saint. Then believing Christians decided to save them and transferred them to the city where they are still. Nowadays, everyone can pray near them and ask for the healing of diseases. On May 22, Orthodox believers celebrate the spring feast of St. Nicholas in honor of the transfer of the relics of the Wonderworker.

Adoration of the Russian people to the saint

They began to worship him after the Baptism of Russia. The first icons and a prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker appeared only at the end of the eleventh century. Despite this, in Russia there was a large number of churches and temples dedicated to him. In Kiev, St. Olga erected the Church of St. Nicholas, which was the first in the whole Russian land. Today, one of the Kremlin towers bears the name of Nikolskaya.

The saint's day is 19 December. The holiday falls on the Nativity (Philippov) fast, so on this day you can eat fish, but eggs and meat should not be eaten. Each person can turn to the saint with a request. The first prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker asks for help in a dull and real life, for the remission of sins by deed, word, thought and all feelings, for deliverance from air ordeals and eternal torment. In the second prayer to the saint, people glorify him, call him the hope of Christians, the protector, the feeder, the joy of those who cry, the doctor of the sick, they ask for a peaceful life. In the third prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker, people praise him, talking about the salvation of souls and bodies from the embitterment of living people.

The history of the appearance of the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

It is generally accepted and known to everyone that December 19 is the feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. It is celebrated on the day of the saint's death. But he is also revered on May 22 - this is the day when his relics were transported to the Italian city of Bari. These two months (May and December) were chosen for a reason, because both of them are important for grain growers. As our ancestors said: "One Nikolai pleases with grass, the other with frost."

The day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in December and May is celebrated according to the legend of the peasant.

Once a simple man was driving along a country road, and his cart got stuck in the mud. The cart was very heavy: the peasant could not pull it out alone. Just at that time the saints were going to God. One of them, Kasyan, was passing by a peasant with a cart. Then the peasant begged for help. Kasyan was offended that he was disturbed because of such a trifle. In clean beautiful clothes, he walked past the peasant. Then near the cart appeared St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The man also asked him for help. The saint without hesitation helped the peasant. Together they pulled the wagon out of the mud. That's just Nikolai all smeared.

All the saints gathered with God. He began to ask them: why was Nikolai so late, because of which all his clothes were smeared in mud? Then Nicholas the Wonderworker told what story happened to him along the way. God then asked Kasyan why he did not help the peasant and walked past him? He replied that he could not be late for a meeting with God and come in dirty clothes. The Almighty then said that people would celebrate the feast of St. Kasyan only once every 4 years - on February 29th. At the same time, St. Nicholas Day will be celebrated twice a year - in May and December. After all, he helps ordinary people without hesitation, let them honor and glorify him.

Signs and beliefs of the day of winter St. Nicholas

Special beliefs are inherent in the holiday, which is celebrated on December 19 (Nicholas the Wonderworker). Signs were known to our ancestors:

After the day of Nicholas in winter time girls and boys began to prepare for the festivities and sewed costumes for carols.
There is a belief that it is on December 19 that the first severe frosts begin.
There is also such a sign: what the weather is on December 19, the same should be expected on May 22.
If the roads to Nikolai are completely covered with snow, then the winter will be frosty and snowy.
A lot of frost foreshadowed a good fruitful summer and autumn.
The day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker on December 19 was considered the last when it was necessary to distribute all your debts. In addition, it was considered the beginning of the grain trades.

summer holiday

It was believed that after May 22, all remaining grain stocks from last year could already be sold.
On Nikolai, the owner should be the first to go around the entire yard and household so that there is no misfortune and misfortune in the house.
The holiday of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is famous for fragrant pies and beer drinks. On this day, all the villagers accumulated money, brewed beer and went to church to pray, light a candle for a rich harvest. Then they treated each other to beer, mash, pies, drove around the village, sang funny songs. All that was left after the festivities was distributed to poor people.
They said this: "On the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, call both a friend and an enemy - everyone will be friends." After all, May 22 was easy to find mutual language even with the enemy.

Divination

Fortune telling on the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker among young girls and boys was popular, as well as on other days on the eve of the Nativity of Christ. But it should also be mentioned that a holiday dedicated to the memory of a saint is not very suitable for such rituals. Despite this, young people actively conduct the following rituals:

Fortune telling on the betrothed. An unmarried girl had to go out into the yard and take off her boot from her left foot, then throw it over the gate. Then you need to watch how the shoe falls: in which direction its toe is looking, from there you need to wait for the guy who will soon come to woo. If the boot falls with a toe towards the girl's house, then this does not portend marriage in the coming year. You also need to look at how far the shoes flew off from the yard. If she lies far from the fence, then the girl will have a long journey after the wedding.
with the help of a sprouted bulb. For this, three unmarried girls gathered on the eve of the holiday, each of them took 1 head of vegetable. They each marked their bulb, planted them in the ground or put them in water. Whose bulb sprouted on the feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, that of the girls was the first to marry.

Nicholas the Wonderworker was born in Greece. But he is revered by people of the Orthodox and Catholic faiths, even Muslims and pagans believe in the power of his help. Its popularity is explained by the fact that Nicholas the Wonderworker is the simplest of all saints and is closest to the common people, and also quickly fulfills requests and prayers.

There are different icons of the Wonderworker. Leakey winter Nicholas correspond to the December celebration, and the image of the spring - May. At the same time, winter Nicholas is depicted on icons in a headdress worn by bishops, and summer - with an uncovered crown. There is a legend: the Russian Tsar Nicholas was the first to notice that the saint was depicted on the icon without a hat, after which he reprimanded the clergy. The oversight has since been corrected.

It is also believed that Nicholas the Wonderworker served as a prototype for the creation of the modern Santa Claus. People of the countries Western Europe they believe that he delivers gifts along with the donkey, so the children leave not only a decorative sock or shoe, but also a few pieces of carrots so that the animal can eat and move on.

Congratulatory words on the day of St. Nicholas

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker is worshiped, he is revered Slavic peoples. Therefore, congratulations on the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker are as important as prayer and keeping traditions.

On this day, you can congratulate relatives and friends with verses and in simple words, the main thing is that they radiate warmth, kindness and thanksgiving to the saint. You can use such congratulations on the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker:

May on the feast of Nicholas
Love and joy will enter the house.
Let the kids have holy gifts
Will bring in socks.
And adults - more patience
And good mood.
May the feast of Nicholas
Give everyone a smile
Fill the house with laughter.
And let the children frolic
And have fun in it.

You can also congratulate your relatives and friends in your own words: “Happy St. Nicholas Day! I wish that peace, comfort and warmth reign in the house both today and all year round. Relatives and close people to warm you with their love!

Saint Nicholas is considered the main protector of children. From time immemorial, on this day, gifts were placed under the pillow, in shoes or in decorative socks hung near the fireplace for all obedient little ones. Those children who were disobedient received rods or stones. Therefore, prepare gifts for kids and adults, as well as nice words of congratulations. By doing this, you will cheer up not only those around you, but also yourself.

On this day, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is glorified. Also, this day is also called the International Day for Helping the Poor, and among the people it is called Nikolin's Day. You will learn the history and traditions of the holiday in this article.

Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker 2018 date, the number when noted

Christians celebrate Saint Nicholas Day on December 19, 2018 (or December 6 Gregorian calendar). On this day, Archbishop Nicholas, who died around 345 and was famous for his kindness and mercy, is venerated.

The Catholic day of St. Nicholas in 2018 is celebrated on December 6, in Greece this holiday is also celebrated on December 6.

Spring, the second day dedicated to St. Nicholas the Pleasant - St. Nicholas Day is celebrated on May 22, 2018. Transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

History of children's favorite holiday

He was the only beloved son from a wealthy family, his parents died early. Nicholas lived in the city of Mira, located in Asia Minor, in its southeastern part. There are many legends about him.

One of them is about poor girls. One poor man wanted to send his daughters to earn fornication, since they could not marry without a dowry. Nicholas decided to help. For three nights in a row, Nikolai threw a piece of gold through the sisters' window.

So the girls got a dowry. The young man secretly did many good deeds - he brought medicine to the sick, gave children toys and things. Being rich, this man secretly helped the poor.

Then they nevertheless tracked him down, found out who brought everything to the poor townspeople, and the people appointed Nikolai as a bishop. When Nicholas died, the sick came to be healed at his grave. Children receive gifts from him for many centuries and still do.

Nicholas Day

People call this day St. Nicholas Day. Saint Nicholas is remembered on this day, he is credited with the tradition of giving gifts. It is believed that the custom of giving gifts to children was founded by St. Nicholas, that it was he who began to bring gifts to children and hide them in certain places.

It is customary for Orthodox children to put a gift under their pillows for obedient and polite children. And among Catholics, Saint Nicholas gives out gifts, he is sometimes called Santa Claus. He puts the gifts in the big gift socks that the children leave by the bed.

Traditions of Saint Nicholas Day

On this day, charity events are held for orphaned children. Youth and youth organizations are engaged in this. Saint Nicholas Day is known as International Day for the Poor. On this day, Christians are allowed to ease the Christmas fast. You can eat fish.

In Russia, since St. Nicholas Day, they have been celebrating "Nikolshchina" for several days. Celebrated in clubbing, with beer and mash. The fun lasted at least 3-4 days. All the closest relatives and neighbors were invited to it.

Refusing to celebrate was not accepted, it was considered disrespectful not to celebrate Nikolin's day with everyone. Community affairs were decided at the table, debaters were tried on, and news was discussed. Young people at this time walked, engaged in fun.

From Nikolai's day, the young began to marry. We were getting ready for the gatherings that will take place at Christmas time. They bought a hut for gatherings, prepared firewood, outfits. And they even began to make Christmas masks for mummers.

It is believed that Nicholas the saint on this day walks through the snow-covered fields, having descended from the heavenly fields. In one day bypasses the entire Russian Land. Banishes all dark spirits. There is also a symbol of this day - these are nikolaychiki, honey gingerbread.

Before the holiday, St. Nicholas bakes cookies that look like the moon or stars. He is helped in this by his assistants - angels. Fun on this day for both adults and children.

Nikola Summer(also Nikola Veshny) - Orthodox holiday in honor of the day of commemoration of the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker to the Italian city of Bari at the end of the 11th century. Nikola summer is one of the non-transferable church holidays and is celebrated annually by the Orthodox Church on May 22 according to the new style.

V Orthodox tradition Nicholas the Wonderworker is considered one of the most revered saints, the patron saint of sailors, merchants and children, as well as the protector of the innocently convicted.

Saint Nicholas was born in the Greek colony of Lycia (now Turkey) around the year 270 into a family of wealthy Christian parents. From early childhood, Nicholas was religious: he studied the Scriptures, read divine books, and attended liturgies. The uncle of the saint was a bishop, he also ordained Nicholas to the priesthood and instructed him to preach to the flock. The parishioners fell in love with the new presbyter for his mercy, attentiveness to the grief of others, and incredible generosity. Thus, having inherited the fortune of his parents after their death, Saint Nicholas distributed it to the poor. Being modest and meek, the saint strove to do alms in secret and hid his good deeds.

Tomb of Saint Nicholas in Bari

Saint Nicholas made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, visiting the most important places in the life of the Savior. Shortly after returning to Lycia, Nicholas was elected Bishop of Mir Lycia. Having taken the rank of bishop, the saint remained the same great ascetic, showing the flock an image of meekness, gentleness and love for people. But despite his humility and purity, the saint was a zealous and daring warrior of Christ's Church: he waged an uncompromising struggle against paganism and heresy.

During his life, St. Nicholas performed many miracles, for which he was called the Wonderworker: he denounced injustice, saved the poor, healed the sick, and even resurrected the dead.

Having reached a ripe old age, Nicholas the Wonderworker peacefully reposed in the Lord around 342-351. The relics of the saint were kept incorruptible in the local cathedral church and exuded a healing myrrh, from which many received healings.

Nikola summer and winter

In the 11th century, Turkish raids on the Greek Empire began: the Turks attempted to destroy the relics of St. Nicholas, deeply revered by the entire Christian world. In 1087, Italian merchants, fearing the desecration of the shrine by Muslims, set out to transfer the relics of the saint from the World of Lycia to the city of Bari.

Arriving at the temple where the relics of the saint rested, the merchants went to the tomb of the Wonderworker. The watchman monks, not suspecting anything, showed the strangers the platform under which the tomb of the saint was hidden. At the same time, one of the monks told about the appearance on the eve of St. Nicholas to one elder. In this vision, the Saint ordered that his relics be more carefully preserved. This story inspired the baryans; they saw for themselves in this phenomenon the permission and, as it were, an indication of the Holy One. To facilitate their actions, they revealed to the monks their intentions to transfer the relics and offered them a ransom. The watchmen refused the money and wanted to notify the inhabitants of the misfortune that threatened them. But the aliens tied them up and placed their guards at the door. They broke the church platform, under which stood the tomb with the relics. Having opened the tomb, the nobles saw that the sarcophagus was filled with fragrant holy myrrh.

Church of Saint Nicholas in Bari

In view of the absence of the ark, the baryans wrapped the relics of the saint in outer clothing and transferred them to the ship. On May 21, the ships sailed to Bari, and soon the good news spread throughout the city. The next day, May 22, the relics of St. Nicholas were solemnly transferred to the Church of St. Stephen. The celebration of the transfer of the shrine was accompanied by numerous miraculous healings of the sick, which instilled even greater reverence for the great Saint. A year later, a church was built in Bari in the name of St. Nicholas. The relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker are kept in this church even now - everyone can bow to them.

The event associated with the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas was called the feast of St. Nicholas of Summer, which is celebrated on May 22 according to the new style. In the beginning, the feast of the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas was celebrated only by the inhabitants of the Italian city of Bari. In other countries of the Christian world, it was not accepted, due to the fact that in the Middle Ages, mainly local shrines were honored. In addition, the Greek Church did not establish the celebration of this date, because the loss of the relics of the Saint was a sad event for her.

By the Russian Orthodox Church, the celebration of the memory of the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas from the World of Lycia to Bari was established shortly after 1087 on the basis of the deep, well-established veneration of St. Nicholas by the Russian people.

Nikola Zimniy(Cold) in the Orthodox tradition, it is customary to call the day of the death of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Just like Nikola Summer, this day is one of non-transferable and is celebrated on December 19 according to the new style.

Prayers to Nicholas the Wonderworker

Troparion to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker

The rule of faith and the image of meekness, the abstinence of the teacher reveal the truth to your flock of things: for this sake you acquired high humility, rich in poverty. Father Hierarch Nicholas, pray to Christ God that our souls be saved.

By the rule of faith, by the example of meekness, temperance, the teacher has shown you your life to your flock. And therefore, with humility, you acquired greatness, poverty - wealth: Father Hierarch Nicholas, pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker

In Mirech, holy, the clergyman appeared to you: Christ, reverend, having fulfilled the Gospel, lay down your soul about your people, and saved the innocent from death; for this sake you were sanctified, like a great secret place of God's grace.

In the Worlds, you, saint, appeared as a performer of sacred rites: having fulfilled the gospel teaching of Christ, you, reverend, laid down your soul for your people and the innocent delivered from death. Therefore, he was sanctified as a great minister of the mysteries of God's grace.

First prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Oh, all-holy Nicholas, the servant of the most beautiful Lord, our warm intercessor, and everywhere in sorrow a quick helper!

Help me a sinner and despondent in this present life, beg the Lord God to grant me the remission of all my sins, having sinned from my youth, in all my life, deed, word, thought and all my feelings; and at the end of my soul, help me the accursed, implore the Lord God, all creatures of the Sodetel, to deliver me air ordeals and eternal torment: may I always glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and your merciful intercession, now and ever and forever and ever.

Second prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

O all-praised, great wonderworker, Saint of Christ, Father Nicholas!

We pray to you, wake up the hope of all Christians, faithful protectors, hungry feeders, crying joy, sick doctors, floating rulers on the sea, feeders of the poor and orphans and an early helper and patron to everyone, let us live a peaceful life here and let us be able to see the glory of God's chosen ones in heaven , and with them to unceasingly sing of the one in the Trinity, the worshiped God forever and ever. Amen.

Third Prayer to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker

O all-praised and all-pious bishop, the great Wonderworker, the Hierarch of Christ, Father Nicholas, a man of God and a faithful servant, a husband of desires, a chosen vessel, a strong pillar of the church, a bright lamp, a star illuminating and illuminating the entire universe: you are a righteous man, like a date blossomed, planted in the courts of your Lord, living in the Worlds, thou hast been fragrant with the world, and exuding the ever-flowing grace of God.

By your procession, Holy Father, the sea is illuminated, when your miraculous relics go to the city of Barsky, from east to west, praise the name of the Lord.

O graceful and wonderful Wonderworker, quick helper, warm intercessor, kind shepherd, saving the verbal flock from all sorts of troubles, we glorify you and magnify you, as the hope of all Christians, the source of miracles, the protector of the faithful, the wise teacher, the hungry feeder, weeping joy, naked clothing , the sick doctor, the steward floating on the sea, the captives of the liberator, the widows and orphans of the feeder and intercessor, the chastity of the guardian, the meek punisher of babies, the old fortifications, the fasting mentor, the laboring ecstasy, the poor and the wretched abundant wealth.

Hear us praying to you and fleeing under your roof, manifest your intercession for us to the Most High, and proceed with your God-pleasing prayers, all that is useful for the salvation of our souls and bodies: save this holy monastery (or this temple), every city and all, and every Christian country, and people living from every anger with your help:

Vema bo, vemy, how much can the prayer of the righteous hurrying for good: to you the righteous, according to the blessed Virgin Mary, the intercessor to the All-Merciful God of the imam, and to your good father, warm intercession and intercession humbly flow: you keep us as cheerful and kind 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, because we are not worthy to see the height of heaven, from many of our iniquities, are bound by the bonds of sin, and let us not save the will of our Creator, nor keep his commands.

In the same way, we bow our knees, contrite and humble of our hearts to our Creator, and we ask for your paternal intercession to Him:

Help us, the Pleasant of God, let us not perish with our iniquities, deliver us from all evil, and from all things opposing, direct our mind and strengthen our heart in the right faith, in it with your intercession and intercession, neither wounds, nor banning, nor pestilence, by no wrath will he let me live in this age, and save me from standing, and vouchsafe the right hand with all the saints. Amen.

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Saint Nicholas in the Orthodox church calendar dedicated to more than one holiday. December 19, according to the new style, the day of the death of the saint is remembered, August 11 - his birth. The people called these two holidays Nikola Winter and Nikola Autumn. On May 22, believers commemorate the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker from Mir Lycian to Bari, which took place in 1087. In Russia, this day was called Nikola Veshny (that is, spring), or Nikola Summer.

All these holidays are non-transitory, that is, their dates are fixed.

Saint Nicholas is called a miracle worker. Such saints are especially revered for the miracles that occur through prayers to them. Since ancient times, Nicholas the Wonderworker was revered as an ambulance to sailors and other travelers, merchants, unjustly convicted and children. In Western folk Christianity, his image was combined with the image of a folklore character - "Christmas grandfather" - and transformed into Santa Claus ( santa claus translated from English. - St Nicholas). Santa Claus gives gifts to children for Christmas.

Nicholas the Pleasant was born in 270 in the town of Patara, which was located in the region of Lycia in Asia Minor and was a Greek colony. The parents of the future archbishop were very wealthy people, but at the same time they believed in Christ and actively helped the poor.

As the life says, from childhood the saint devoted himself completely to faith, spent a lot of time in the temple. Having matured, he became a reader, and then a priest in the church, where his uncle, Bishop Nicholas of Patara, served as rector.

After the death of his parents, Nicholas the Wonderworker distributed all his inheritance to the poor and continued his church ministry. In the years when the attitude of the Roman emperors towards Christians became more tolerant, but persecution nevertheless continued, he ascended to the episcopal throne in Mir. Now this town is called Demre, it is located in the province of Antalya in Turkey.

People loved the new archbishop very much: he was kind, meek, fair, sympathetic - not a single request to him remained unanswered. With all this, Nicholas was remembered by his contemporaries as an implacable fighter against paganism - he destroyed idols and temples, and a defender of Christianity - he denounced heretics.

Even during his lifetime, the saint became famous for many miracles. Saved the city of Mira from terrible famine- his fervent prayer to Christ. He prayed and thereby helped the drowning sailors on ships, led the unjustly condemned from imprisonment in prisons.

Nicholas the Pleasant lived to a ripe old age and died around 345-351 - the exact date is unknown.

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker reposed in the Lord in 345-351 - the exact date is unknown. His relics were incorruptible. At first they rested in the cathedral church of the city of Lycian Myra, where he served as archbishop. They streamed myrrh, and the myrrh healed believers from various ailments.

In 1087, part of the relics of the saint was transferred to the Italian city of Bari, to the church of St. Stephen. A year after the relics were saved, a basilica was erected there in the name of St. Nicholas. Now everyone can pray at the relics of the saint - the ark with them is still kept in this basilica. A few years later, the rest of the relics were transported to Venice, and a small particle remained in Mira.

In honor of the transfer of the relics of Nikolai Ugodnik, a special holiday was established, which in Russian Orthodox Church May 22 is celebrated in a new style.

Congratulations on the great Feast of the Orthodox Church

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker is one of the most revered Orthodox saints. People pray to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in a variety of life trials, and, as people testify, he soon responds to the prayer of believers.

They pray to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker for travelers (remembering how St. Nicholas, by the power of prayer, calmed the storm that broke out at sea, which almost sank the ship on which the Wonderworker Nicholas was).

They pray to St. Nicholas for a successful marriage of their daughters (remembering how St. Nicholas secretly donated dowry money to the daughters of a ruined man so that they could get married).

They pray to the saint for deliverance from hunger. Even during his lifetime, Nicholas the Wonderworker became famous as the appeaser of the warring, the defender of the innocently condemned and the deliverer from a vain death.

There is no strictly obligatory list of cases in which to pray to each saint. Therefore, Saint Nicholas, like other saints, can be prayed for help in all difficult situations.

Prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker

O all-holy Nicholas,

pleasing to the Lord,

our warm intercessor, and everywhere in sorrow

quick helper! Help me, sinful and sad,

in this present life,

ask the Lord God to grant me

forgiving all my sins,

I have sinned greatly from my youth,

in all my life, in deed, in word,

thought and all my feelings;

and help me at the end of my soul,

accursed, implore the Lord God,

all creatures of the Sodetel,

deliver me from air ordeals and eternal torment,

May I always glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit

and your gracious intercession,

now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.

In the northern provinces of European Russia, there was a custom to slaughter in honor of Nikolai Ugodnik a “mykolts” bull, which was specially fattened by the whole village for three years. The meat of the bull was partially transferred to the church “for St. Nikola”, was partly eaten during the collective feast, arranged on this day by men.

In the Novgorod province, since Nikola Zimny, Christmas gatherings were held with clubbing on the basis of an artel, and a festive atmosphere. According to researchers, the correlation of Nikolin's day with Christmas time in the Novgorod regions is due to the development of the cult of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker here, who combined the features of an ancient pre-Christian deity with features not only of a number of saints, but also of Jesus Christ.

In many places in Russia, the so-called "Nikolshchina" was celebrated from Nikolin's day. They celebrated for several days, always in clubbing (“bratchina”), with a large amount of beer or mash from the grain of the new crop. Unlike others, this is a holiday for the old man, the Bolshak families and representatives of rural and rural families. The general fun and hunting for beer last at least 3-4 days, with the congress of all the closest relatives, and the neighbors were certainly invited. It’s not right for someone who refuses to clubbing and avoids celebrating: such a host is ridiculed for all year round. “Call a friend to the Nikolshchina, call a foe - both will be friends. Uninvited people go to the brotherhood. Bratchina judges, the gang - rows. Nikolytsina is red with beer and pies. Per common table community issues were resolved, disputants reconciled and treated, shared news, and talked about the world order. The youth walked, amused themselves with winter fun.

On this day, according to legend, Saint Nicholas descends from the heavenly fields to the snow-covered earth and walks across the face of the Russian Land, bypassing it - an ordinary one (in one day) - from end to end. And run away from him, even ahead of time, all the spirits of darkness. They say that winter walks on Nikola with a nail, the roofs get along, where it will cover with snow, where it will tuck in with snow, and where it will hammer in a nail so that the snow shingles do not break, so that in chimney it sang and hummed—winter patches the roofs with icy tar, envelops the snow more densely.

In winter, the start of courtship for Nikola. Young people begin preparations for Christmas gatherings, they agreed to buy a hut from some poor lonely old woman or widow, they prepared firewood, torches, outfits, they began to make Christmas masks for mummers and costumes for playing plays and scenes from the repertoire of the traditional folk theater.

In Catholic countries

Saint Nicholas with an assistant, and devils-mummers around them. Theatrical performance in Bavaria, Germany.

In Catholic countries, on the feast of St. Nicholas, before going to bed, children put [clear] large socks for gifts near the bed, in which St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) will put gifts for them.
Charity

On this day, many youth and youth organizations hold many charity events for orphans. It also celebrates International Day for the Poor.

Characters inspired by St. Nicholas is Santa Claus and his counterparts in other countries.

Russian proverbs

If winter leaves a trace before Nikolin's day, the road will not stand. If winter will forge the day on Mikhailov, then it will unforge on Nikola. There is frost before Nicholas - oats will be good. Hoarfrost on Nikola - to the harvest. If there is frost before winter Mikola, then barley must be sown earlier, if after Mikola - later (Belarusian). What a day in Winter Mikola, such a day in Summer Mikola. Two Nikolas: one herbal, the other frosty; one with grass, the other with winter.

Nikolin's day would come, and winter would come. Nikola would come up, and winter would come on a sled for him. Praise the winter after Nikolin's day. Winter is for frosts, and a man is for holidays. "Barbara to brew, and Mykola to zakue, and Sava varenyky to boil - already frosts, but already Kolyadas" (woodland). God Sedovlas sent winter to us. "Mikola and Varvara snatched the night" (Belarusian).

Malanya had fun on Nikolin's day, that she drinks worldly brew, and Malanya does not know what kind of hangover the peasants are beaten. The women called the Nikolsky guys to cook mash, but the women didn’t know that the guys only drink mash. One Nikola is herbal, the other is frosty. On Nikolin's day, there is beer in every house. Nikolytsina is red with beer and pies. For godfather Nikolytsin he cooks mash, for godfather he bakes pies. Call friend and foe to Nikolshchina. Invite a friend to the Nikolshchina, call a foe - both will be friends. Uninvited people go to the brotherhood. Bratchina judges, the gang - rows. The urban Nikolshchina runs down the street on a sled, while the village one sits in a hut and drinks brew. “Sava is Nikolai’s father, and Varvara is Nikolai’s uterus. He said: Do not celebrate me! Celebrate mother and father!” (Belarusian). Nikolin's day is the beginning of winter matchmaking. Nikola is the second intercessor after God.

source - Wikipedia