History of Saint Nicholas

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Listed below is some information from the life of Saint Nicholas.  It is all based on well-documented historical facts and oral traditions passed down through the centuries.  Perhaps this will encourage you as you have conversations with others about his exemplary life and his deep faith in God.

Nicholas was born during the third century in the village of Patara, in Asia Minor.

His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died when Nicholas was young.

Nicholas used his inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering.

He dedicated his life to serving God. He became a Bishop of Myra.

He was known all over for his generosity.

He was eventually recognized as the Patron Saint for Children and as the Patron Saint for Sailors.

While Diocletian was Emperor of Rome, and Christians were being heavily persecuted, Nicholas was exiled and imprisoned for his faith. After his release from prison, he continued in his Christian faith.

He attended the Council of Nicea in AD 325, where the following creed was established:

Nicene Creed

I believe in one God,

the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

 of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,

 the Only Begotten Son of God,

 born of the Father before all ages.

 God from God, Light from Light,

 true God from true God,

begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;

 through him all things were made.

 For us men and for our salvation

 he came down from heaven,

 and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,

 and became man.

 For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,

 he suffered death and was buried,

 and rose again on the third day

 in accordance with the Scriptures.

 He ascended into heaven

 and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

 He will come again in glory

 to judge the living and the dead

 and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

 who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,

 who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

 I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins

 and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead

 and the life of the world to come. Amen.

 During the Council of Nicea, a debate arose over the Trinity. Nicholas was so enraged by one of

the other Bishops who was debating the deity of Jesus that he slapped him across the face.

Nicholas was jailed for this outburst but was eventually exonerated and reinstated as Bishop.

Many miracles and honorable deeds were attributed to Nicholas during his life to include:

o Raising the dead

o Calming the seas

o Exorcising demons

o Healing the sick

o Saving his people from famine

o Sparing the lives of those innocently accused

Thousands of churches have been named for him around the world.

Nicholas’ tomb became a popular place of pilgrimage for Christians.

Honored by Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants around the world for centuries, he continues to

be a model for the compassionate and philanthropic life.

For more information about Saint Nicholas, visit www.stnicholascenter.org. The information above is

taken from the research completed by this center.