It is very humbling for a parish to bear the name of one of the most beloved saints of the Greek Orthodox Church. While nothing is known of the early life of St. Nicholas, it is known that he was born at the turn of the fourth century in Patara, near Myra, in the Roman province of Lycia, Asia Minor. It was in Myra that he gained fame for his benevolence and saintliness as an archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church. He was ordained to the priesthood at an early age, was shortly thereafter elevated to the bishopric, and soon commanded the respect and love of all the citizens of Myra.
It is said that Nicholas was of a quiet, ascetic and studious nature, and was one of the 318 Church Fathers who participated in the First Ecumenical Council held in Nicaea in 325 A.D. It was at that council that Nicholas sternly chastised the arch-heretic Arius in the presence of Emperor Constantine and all those in attendance. Nicholas proved to be a true champion of the Orthodox faith both in word and deed. Prior to his elevation as archbishop, Nicholas suffered imprisonment, harsh treatment, and torture at the hands of pagans who tried in vain to make him deny Christ. He bore terrible scars of torture on his body for many years after his release from prison. He defended the unfortunate, assisted the poor, and anonymously performed acts of kindness. He often made gifts of bags of gold to the young and needy, and won fame for his love of children and underprivileged families. St. Nicholas passed on to eternity at a venerable age, of natural causes, perhaps in 330 A.D.
Saint Nicholas is distinguished for his great faith, for his struggle in the name of Orthodoxy and especially for his charity.
His faith was so great, that with his prayer he calmed a stormy sea while on a trip to the Holy Lands. For this reason sailors pay homage to him as their protector.
He fought for the predominance of Orthodoxy and took part in the First Ecumenical Synod of Nicea.
Especially well known is his charity and his love for children. He used his great wealth to relieve all who were in need: poor families, widows, and especially orphans and poor children. For this same purpose he founded, as Bishop, a poorhouse, hostelries, and a hospital.
He was the personification of Christian love and affection. As such he is honored by all the Christian world, both the Eastern and the Western.
In the West especially he is considered as the great patron Saint of children and the cheerful giver of gifts under the name Santa Claus.
For all of us Saint Nicholas is a “Canon of faith and an image of goodness and kindness.”