Our Holy Father Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia.
All-Night Vigil Feast. Nativity Fast. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat. A day when the faithful are highly encouraged to participate in the Divine Liturgy.
Hebrews 13:17-21; Luke 6:17-23.
Read Luke 6:17-23
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. There are lots of legendary stories which survive of St. Nicholas, but they all attest to his great humility, generosity, piety, and holiness.
St. Nicholas fervently loved God throughout his entire life. He was a very prayerful man and studied the scriptures. He worked many miracles, not only after his death but also during his lifetime. He became the archbishop of Myra in Lycia and led the faithful entrusted to him as a good shepherd. He fought against evil spirits and heresies that were spreading. He participated at the Council of Nicaea which condemned Arianism, the heresy that Jesus was man but not God. He often gave money to the poor, and he became popular for all the good deeds he would secretly do for others.
Speaking about Jesus, today’s gospel reading begins: “And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all” (Lk. 6:17-19). Reading these opening verses, we may be struck by the similarity between Jesus’ ministry and St. Nicholas’ ministry. Just as Jesus’ ministry involved teaching others, healing them of diseases, and releasing them from unclean spirits, St. Nicholas emulated Christ and did the same.
Luke’s gospel as a whole highlights Jesus’ special care for the poor, and this is especially apparent in the Beatitudes we read today: “Blessed are you poor” (Lk. 6:20), “Blessed are you who hunger now . . . Blessed are you who weep now” (Lk. 6:21). St. Nicholas cared for the poor and the hungry, not only providing for their physical necessities but also their spiritual ones. As we continue on our path to celebrate the Nativity of Christ, let us remember the life and ministry of St. Nicholas and try to follow his example of love of God and neighbour.
Bible References