There is really not all that much written about Saint Nicholas as he himself did not write anything. Nevertheless, this saint is known throughout the world as the Saint of God. His life was so full of great faith and good works, that he is known and praised not only by Orthodox believers, but also by Catholics, Protestants, and even Buddhists!
Why is this so? It is because while even during his earthly life he continuously sought to help people. He stopped the poor father, who in desperation wanted to give his daughters away into bad marriages for the sake of money, and in so doing saved the family from the grave sin of fornication. He stilled a storm at sea and did not let the ship sink when the people on board cried out to Him, to St. Nicholas. Those who came to him included innocently convicted magistrates, and St. Nicholas saved them by appearing in a dream to the emperor. At the first Ecumenical Council out of zeal for God with great boldness, he struck the heretic Arius on the cheek, for which other bishops suspended him and removed his bishop’s Omophorion and took away his Holy Gospel. The same night, all the bishops who were at the council had the same dream where the Lord and the Mother of God handed to St. Nicholas the Holy Gospel and his omophorion as evidence that the Lord Himself was not angry with Saint Nicholas. There is not a house of believers where one will not find an icon of St. Nicholas. To him seek help students to pass exams, patients before surgery - and he manages to help everybody.
This Friday, the 19th of December our parish celebrates its feast day the importance of which is that of a second Pascha.
According to our local tradition, and with the blessing of our Archpastor and rector Archbishop Gabriel, the feast day will be celebrated on the day and will then continue through to Sunday the 21st of December concluding with a festive meal in our parish hall right after The Divine Liturgy.
We kindly invite everyone to share together with us this joy of celebrating St Nicholas day and truly look forward to seeing everybody during these upcoming days.