Congratulations on Nicholas the Wonderworker in winter. Congratulations in verse and SMS will help you congratulate on the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

15.08.2022

The day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is celebrated more than once a year. December 19 is the day of the memory of the saint, the day of the death of the saint is remembered, August 11 is 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-movable, that is, their dates are fixed.

Saint Nicholas is called a Russian saint. Russian Orthodox consider him a special patron and especially pray to this saint. But the saint had never been to Russia, and Russia did not exist then either. There is very little historically reliable information left about Saint Nicholas. But it is amazing that this saint has been so revered by the Church for centuries that, for example, there are as many St. Nicholas churches in Russia as there are nowhere else.

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. He saved the city of Mira from a terrible famine - with 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.

Miracles of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Nicholas the Wonderworker is considered the patron, intercessor and prayer book for sailors and, in general, for everyone who travels. For example, as the life of the saint says, in his youth, traveling from Myra to Alexandria, he resurrected a sailor who, during a fierce storm, fell off the mast of the ship and, falling on the deck, crashed to death.

Once upon a time there lived a thief who had a superstitious love for the Pleasant, and every time he went to steal, he put a candle to the saint. It only seems from the outside that stupidity is obvious. After all, we ourselves often create and ask for who knows what, not noticing the absurdity of our actions. So, the thief put candles to the saint and asked for help in stealing. For a long time he got away with everything, and he attributed this luck to the help of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Suddenly one day this especially "pious" thief was noticed by people while stealing. Ordinary people have short conversations. A sinner caught in sin is beaten or even killed. The men chased the unfortunate. Death approached him and began to breathe down the back of his head.

Running away from his pursuers, he saw a fallen horse outside the village. The corpse had been lying on the ground for a long time, worms crawled over the body of the animal, and the air around was poisoned by the smell of rot. But mortal fear is stronger than any disgust. The thief climbed into the rotting womb and there, among the stinking entrails, hid. The persecutors could not even imagine that the fleeing person was able to hide in a corpse. After walking around and quarreling heartily, they went home.

And our "gentleman of fortune", dying from the stench, was torn between the fear of retribution and the desire to breathe fresh air. And now, barely alive from fear and stench, Nikolai appears. "How are you here?" - asks the saint. "Father Nikolai, I'm barely alive from the stench!" - answers the unfortunate. To which the saint replies: “This is how your candles stink to me.” Comments are superfluous.

The moral is right there on the surface. The sinner's prayer stinks, not fragrant. It is necessary not only to pray, but also to correct life, to the best of our ability. So? So. And as one of the literary heroes said: “So it is, but not so.” Nicholas still saved the sinner! Although the prayer stank, it reached the saint, and at the right time Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker remembered the sinner and did not leave him in danger.

Congratulations on the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Your guardian angel is Saint Nicholas,
You honor him and remember him well:
Your saint is a miracle worker, like God.
And save my name for you.
On your birthday, we congratulate you,
We wish you health, miracles of all kinds.
Be, Kolya, happy, lucky, loved
And we forever keep the name of the Angel!

Unseen miracles
He is known all over the world
And on the day of St. Nicholas
We are waiting for gifts in the boot.

Let the heavenly Wonderworker
Keeps you from all troubles
The roads you need will open,
Good luck, reward with happiness!

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker,
Let happiness adorn fate
Easily overcome all adversity
And it will bring warmth to the house!
Warm with mutual love
Will fill your wallet
Bestows wonderful health
Get rid of troubles and worries!

On Saint Nicholas Day
I want to wish good
To help and support
From the Holy to you was.

He hears all prayers
Will strengthen you in difficult times
Believe, sincerely love,
He will reward you with happiness.

I wish you on St. Nicholas Day
Holy souls and tenderness without edge,
So that only God, peace and wisdom of thought
Lead you right through life
Be in good health and spirit.
I wish everyone that snow, frost and blizzards
They did not touch your bright house,
And peace and happiness were in it!

I will ask Saint Nicholas
So that he always favors you!
Let your earthly life be a fairy tale!
May God always, always protect you!

May the day of St. Nicholas
Illuminate with warmth and happiness
So that you live without knowing worries
May Nikolai bless you.

On the day of Nicholas the Wonderworker
We wish you great miracles
May wishes come true
Let happiness grow to heaven
Let Nicholas the Holy Pleasant
Brings great joy
And to everyone who sacredly believes in a miracle,
May you be lucky!

Happy Saint Nicholas Day
We sincerely congratulate you!
May he keep you from harm!
Happy winters and long years!

I hasten to congratulate you in the morning!
After all, a bright holiday has come to us.
On the day of the Wonderworker Nicholas,
I want the world to find happiness!
I wish in your family
So that there is happiness to heaven,
Let the house be decorated with light,
Health, joy, miracles!

Not New Year yet, but on the planet
Such miracles happen
What not to say and not to see in the light,
And we can only dream about it!
But I congratulate you today
And I just wish you don't rush!
After all, on the feast of the Wonderworker Nicholas,
Everyone needs to believe, feel, love!

Saint Nicholas, Miracle Worker, Pleasant
Let him help, support in everything,
May your soul be filled with joy today
Kindness, mercy - heart and home.
Let the word be silent before God,
So that it goes well, everything was argued with you,
Live radiating heat like a candle
Hoping for the best, believing, loving!

Nikolai will look into the houses
Very dark at night
Immediately our joy will become
To the heavens huge!
Happy Saint Nicholas Day
Our miracle worker!
Let ailments, disappearing,
Leave everyone!

Saint Nicholas, miracle worker of heaven!
Known for his kindness and care!
He will give you joy and happiness
And he will become a faithful guardian in fate!

Will save from troubles, will not allow loss,
Learn to laugh, hope, believe
And in full force to love and be friends!
Do not lose the guiding thread of fate!

Pray to Saint Nicholas today
And cross yourself before the icon!
Ask with hope from the Holy
A sinless path and earthly happiness,

Prosperity in the family and health to children,
Friends, parents, neighbors.
And everything that you don’t think of on this day,
Performed by the Miracle Worker Nikolai!

May it protect you from all problems
Our heavenly Saint Nicholas,
Don't let life make you sad
Just believe, hope and dream!
Let the holiday give you in full,
A distant dream come true
And no matter how in life the blizzard is not chalk,
Let the heart keep only kindness!

I wish you all the best in the world!
I wish happiness to your children!
I wish you all the best
Me on Saint Nicholas Day!
So that troubles go around your house,
So that your friends do not forget you
So that fear is unknown to you,
And so that you are always lucky in business!

Saint Nicholas, my good Wonderworker!
You give me light, hope and love,
I know that you will always help in any trouble,
And I come to you with a prayer again and again!
You are the healer of souls, you inspire light in me,
You know better than anyone what I need now
You are my inspiration, you inspire me with love,
And now there are no tears, only life in my eyes!
We are together, I know, we are going through tests,
But you are in heaven, I am native on Earth,
I feel in you all the power of the universe,
You are my hope, my good Guardian!
But I know I'm not the only one asking you, my Angel!
There are many of us on Earth, looking up with hope!
Tell me, how do you hear everyone who lights candles?
And I hear your voice... Pray, child, pray...

Congratulations pictures on the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Nicholas is one of the most famous and revered saints in Russia. The name of this saint is associated with the patronage of the poor, common people, sailors. The Orthodox feast of St. Nicholas is celebrated on December 19. Rich parents from childhood taught their son to faith. Having matured, he became an archbishop. During the time of Christian persecution, he, along with other believers, was imprisoned, subjected to physical torture, but, in spite of everything, he continued to believe in God and support other prisoners. With the advent of the reign of Emperor Constantine, Nicholas began to manage the flock. Many are familiar with his icons, which have performed more than a dozen miracles. His relics are able to heal from many ailments. Countries have their own traditions of celebration. According to ancient legends, Saint Nicholas comes to every house that night along with assistants: angels talk about good deeds, devils whisper about faults. Kindness wins, and in the morning the child finds a small gift under the pillow. Temples were built in honor of the saint in many cities. On this day, they wish obedience to children, well-being, peace and prosperity to all adults.

Happy Saint Nicholas Day
From the bottom of my heart I congratulate you!
I want to wish good
Peace, happiness and warmth!

Nikolai let him bring
Lots of fun stuff!
Let health not fail
And luck is on the way!

Happy Saint Nicholas Day!
I wish you well from the bottom of my heart,
Bright joyful events,
Amazing discoveries.

unexpected accomplishments,
Magic and inspiration
unreal success,
Burning eyes, storms of laughter.

In every day - warmth and light,
Happiness is greater than the planet
All blessings and prosperity,
To make dreams come true!

I wish Saint Nicholas fill your life with goodness, joy and bright moments! Let it bring prosperity, comfort and peace to your home! I wish that everything in your life develops as you wish! May Saint Nicholas always protect you and send good luck!

Happy Saint Nicholas Day
I heartily congratulate!
bearded old man
Let him bring a chest.

In it - goodness, love, good luck
And health to you in addition,
And also smiles, laughter
And wealth, and success.

On Saint Nicholas Day
I wish you great happiness
Let Saint Nicholas come
And only good will bring to everyone,
And also joy and good luck,
Good health in addition,
More money and prosperity
So that everyone lives easily and sweetly!

Happy Saint Nicholas Day!
May he perform a miracle:
Gives a happy life
Without misfortune and resentment.

Let joy come in the house
Happiness and good will come
And all the things that have been waiting for a long time
Finally happen!

Happy Saint Nicholas Day
I heartily congratulate you!
Let him keep you, help
Protects from trouble
Will remove all barriers
Bring happiness to your home.
Chocolates and toys
All sorts of trinkets
To please the children
Nikolay carries quickly.
Believe in a fairy tale, have fun
Don't be angry with your family for a long time.
May God always keep you
From diseases and insults.

Happy Saint Nicholas Day
Congratulations to everyone today!
And let childhood rush off into the distance,
Faith in miracles remained.
And the saint distributes them
To those who believe and who wait.
We just became adults
They stopped believing in miracles.
And it's invisible,
You have to see it with your heart.
Kindness, love and affection -
It's a miracle, it's a fairy tale
They are all from Nicholas,
I wish them for you!

On the day of St. Nicholas
I sincerely wish
Do not get sick and do not be sad
Forget about everyone's problems.
Your home is warm
Comfort, happiness and kindness.
Let Nicholas help
His angels are protecting you.
Miracles happen all of a sudden
And your family loves you and takes care of you.

May Saint Nicholas always
Protects from troubles
Health will give for all years,
Helps you in everything.

Protects your children
And gives them gifts
On a difficult life path
Will not leave you in trouble.

May there be joy and peace
Reign under your roof.
Pray to Nicholas
And he will always listen.

Saint Nicholas arrives
He will bring back with him
Mysteries, mysteries, miracles
Yes, the wind in your sails.
We are glad to congratulate you on the holiday,
And make a plan for the year,
In which only happiness, laughter,
Huge success in everything
Career up takeoff unambiguous,
Five-figure growth in all revenues.
May you have a successful year!

When is the memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker celebrated?

Saint Nicholas in the Orthodox church calendar is 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.

What helps Nicholas the Wonderworker

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.

Life (biography) of Nicholas the Wonderworker

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

Relics of Saint Nicholas

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, in 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 Nicholas the Ugodnik, a special holiday was established, which in the Russian Orthodox Church is celebrated on May 22 according to the new style.

Veneration of St. Nicholas in Russia

Many temples and monasteries are dedicated to Nikolai Ugodnik in Russia. In his name, the holy Patriarch Photius baptized in 866 the Kyiv prince Askold, the very first Russian Christian prince. Above the grave of Askold in Kyiv, Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga built the first church of St. Nicholas on Russian soil.

In many Russian cities, the main cathedrals were named after the archbishop of Mir Lycian. Veliky Novgorod, Zaraysk, Kyiv, Smolensk, Pskov, Galich, Arkhangelsk, Tobolsk and many others. In the Moscow province, three Nikolsky monasteries were built - Nikolo-Greek (Old) - in Kitay-gorod, Nikolo-Perervinsky and Nikolo-Ugreshsky. In addition, one of the main towers of the Moscow Kremlin was named Nikolskaya.

Iconography of Saint Nicholas

The iconography of St. Nicholas took shape in the 10th-11th centuries. At the same time, the oldest icon, namely the fresco in the church of Santa Maria Antiqua in Rome, dates back to the 8th century.

There are two main iconographic types of St. Nicholas - full-length and half-length. One of the classic examples of a full-length icon is a fresco from the St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv, painted at the beginning of the 12th century. Now it is kept in the Tretyakov Gallery. In this fresco, the saint is depicted full-length, with a blessing right hand and an open Gospel in his left hand.

Icons of the belt iconographic type depict the saint with a closed Gospel on his left hand. The oldest icon of this type in the monastery of St. Catherine in Sinai dates back to the 11th century. In Russia, the earliest surviving similar image dates back to the end of the 12th century. Ivan the Terrible brought it from Novgorod the Great and placed it in the Smolensk Cathedral of the Novodevichy Convent. Now this icon can be seen in the Tretyakov Gallery.

Icon painters also created hagiographic icons of St. Nicholas, that is, depicting different scenes from the life of the saint - sometimes up to twenty different plots. The most ancient of these icons in Russia are the Novgorod one from the Lyubon churchyard (XIV century) and the Kolomna one (now kept in the Tretyakov Gallery).

TroparionSaint Nicholas the Wonderworker

voice 4

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.

Translation:

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

voice 3

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.

Translation:

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 Nikolai Ugodnik

Oh, all-holy Nicholas, the most beautiful servant of the 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 from 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 shining and illuminating the whole universe: you are a righteous man, like a date that has flourished, 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 guardian of chastity, 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 unworthy to see the heights 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.

Fourth Prayer to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker

O our good shepherd and God-wise mentor, St. Nicholas of Christ! Hear us sinners, praying to you and calling for your help, your speedy intercession; see us weak, caught from everywhere, deprived of every good and darkened by the mind from cowardice; rush, servant of God, do not leave us in the sinful captivity of being, let us not be our enemy in joy and die in our evil deeds.

Pray for us, our unworthy Creator and Lord, and you stand before him with incorporeal faces: be merciful to us, create our God in this life and in the future, let him not reward us according to our deeds and according to the impurity of our hearts, but according to your goodness, reward us .

We hope for your intercession, we boast of your intercession, we call on your intercession for help, and we fall down to your most holy image, we ask for help: deliver us, saint of Christ, from the evils that are upon us, and tame the waves of passions and troubles that rise against us, but for the sake of Your holy prayers will not attack us and we will not be mired in the abyss of sin and in the mud of our passions. Moth, to St. Nicholas of Christ, Christ our God, give us a peaceful life and the remission of sins, but salvation and great mercy to our souls, now and ever and forever and ever.

Prayer 5 to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker

O great intercessor, the bishop of God, blessed Nicholas, who shines miracles like a sunflower, who calls upon you as a quick hearer, you always anticipate and save, and deliver, and take away all kinds of troubles, from God given to you miracles and gifts of grace!

Hear me unworthy, calling you with faith and bringing prayer to you singing; I offer you an intercessor for supplication to Christ.

O notorious in miracles, high saint! as if you have boldness, soon stand before the Lord, and reverence your hands in prayer to Him, stretch out for me a sinner, and from Him give bounties of goodness, and accept me as your intercession, and deliver me from all troubles and evils, from the invasion of enemies visible and invisible freeing, and destroying all those slanders and malice, and reflecting those who fight me in my whole life; ask for forgiveness by my sin, and present me to Christ and save the Kingdom of Heaven for the multitude of that philanthropy, he deserves all glory, honor and worship, with his Father without beginning, and with the Most Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and forever and forever centuries.

Sixth Prayer to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker

Oh, the all-good Father Nicholas, the shepherd and teacher of all who by faith flow to your intercession, and who call you with warm prayer, soon rush, and deliver Christ's flock from the wolves that destroy it, that is, from the invasion of the wicked Latins rising up against us.

Protect and save our country, and every country that exists in Orthodoxy, with your holy prayers from worldly rebellion, the sword, the invasion of foreigners, from internecine and bloody warfare.

And as if you had mercy on three men sitting in prison, and delivered them from the tsar’s wrath and the cutting of the sword, so have mercy and deliver the Great, Small and White Russia Orthodox people from the pernicious heresy of the Latins.

As if by your intercession and help, by His own mercy and grace, Christ God, may He look with His merciful eye on people in the ignorance of existence, even though they don’t know their right hand, even more so young, with which Latin seductions are spoken in a hedgehog to turn away from the Orthodox faith, may the mind of His people enlighten, may they not be tempted and fall away from the faith of the fathers, conscience, lulled by vain wisdom and ignorance, may it awaken, turn the will to the preservation of the holy Orthodox faith, may it remember the faith and humility of our fathers, your life for the Orthodox faith who have put, accepting the prayers of the warmth of His holy saints, who have shone forth in our land, keeping us from delusion and heresy of the Latins, and having preserved us in holy Orthodoxy, vouchsafe us at His terrible Judgment of the right hand of standing with all the saints. Amen.

What can you eat on the day of memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

December 19, according to the new style, falls on the Christmas, or Filippov, as it is also called, post. On this day, you can eat fish, but you can not eat meat, eggs and other animal products.

Miracles of Saint Nicholas

Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh. Word, uttered at the vigil on the feast of St. Nicholas, December 18, 1973, in the church named after him in Kuznetsy (Moscow)

Today we celebrate the day of the death of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. What a strange combination of words: celebration of death... Usually, when someone is overtaken by death, we yearn and weep for it; and when the saint dies, we rejoice about it. How is this possible?

This is possible only because when a sinner dies, those who remain have a heavy feeling in their hearts that the time has come for parting, even if only temporarily. No matter how strong our faith is, no matter how hope inspires us, no matter how sure we are that the God of love will never finally separate from each other those who love each other with even imperfect, earthly love - still remains sadness and longing that for many years we will not see the face, the expression of the eyes shining on us with kindness, we will not touch the dear person with a reverent hand, we will not hear his voice, bringing his caress and love to our hearts ...

But our attitude to the saint is not exactly like that. Even those who were contemporary with the saints, already during their lifetime, managed to realize that, living in the fullness of heavenly life, the saint did not separate from the earth during his life, and that when he rests in his body, he will still remain in this mystery of the Church, which unites the living and the dead. into one body, into one spirit, into one eternal, Divine mystery that conquered all lives.

As they died, the saints could say, as Paul said: I fought a good feat, I kept the faith; now an eternal reward is being prepared for me, now I myself become a sacrifice...

And this consciousness is not the head, but the consciousness of the heart, a living feeling of the heart that the saint cannot leave us (just as the Risen Christ, who has become invisible to us, does not leave us, just as God, invisible to us, is not absent), this consciousness allows us to rejoice on the day when, as the ancient Christians said, a person born into eternal life. He did not die - but was born, entered into eternity, into the whole expanse, into the fullness of life. He is in anticipation of a new victory of life, which we all look forward to: the resurrection of the dead on the last day, when all the barriers of separation will fall, and when we will rejoice not only about the victory of eternity, but that God has restored the temporal to life - but in glory, new shining glory.

One of the ancient fathers of the Church, Saint Irenaeus of Lyon, says: the glory of God is a man who has become Man... Saints are such a glory to God; looking at them, we are amazed at what God can do to a person.

And behold, we rejoice on the day of the death of the one who was on earth heavenly man, but having entered eternity, he became our intercessor and intercessor, not leaving us, remaining not only the same close, but becoming even closer, because we become close to each other as we become close, dear, our own to the Living God, God of love. Our joy today is so deep! The Lord on earth shook, like a ripe ear, St. Nicholas. Now he triumphs with God, in heaven; and just as he loved the earth and people, knew how to pity, compassion, knew how to surround everyone and meet everyone with amazing, tender, thoughtful care, so now he prays for us all, caringly, thoughtfully.

When you read his life, you are amazed that he cared not only about the spiritual; he cared for every human need, the humblest human need. He knew how to rejoice with those who rejoice, he knew how to cry with those who weep, he knew how to console and support those who needed comfort and support. And this is why the people, the Myrlikian flock, fell in love with him so much, and why the entire Christian people honors him so much: there is nothing too insignificant that he would not pay attention to with his creative love. There is nothing on earth that would seem unworthy of his prayers and unworthy of his labors: illness, and the poor, and deprivation, and disgrace, and fear, and sin, and joy, and hope, and love - everything found a lively response in his deep human heart. And he left us the image of a man who is the radiance of God's beauty, he left us in himself, as it were, a living, acting icon genuine person.

But he left it to us not only so that we rejoice, admire, be amazed; he left us his image so that we could learn from him how to live, what kind of love to love, how to forget ourselves and remember fearlessly, sacrificially, joyfully every need of another person.

He left us an image of how to die, how to mature, how to stand before God at the last hour, giving His soul joyfully, as if returning to his father's house. When I was a young man, my father once told me: during your life, learn to expect death in the same way as a young man tremblingly awaits the arrival of his bride ... This is how St. Nicholas waited for the hour of death, when the death gates open, when all bonds fall, when the soul flutters him to freedom, when it will be given to him to behold the God whom he worshiped with faith and love. So it is given to us to wait - to wait creatively, not to wait numbly, in fear of death, but to wait with joy for that time, that meeting with God, which will make us akin not only to our Living God, with Christ who became a man, but also with every person. because only in God are we made one...

The Fathers of the Church call us to live fear of death. From century to century we hear these words, and from century to century we misunderstand them. How many people live in fear that death is about to come, and after death - judgment, and after judgment - what? Unknown. Hell? Forgiveness?.. But not about that fear of death fathers said. The Fathers said that if we remembered that in a moment we might die, how we would hasten to do all the good that we can still do! If we thought constantly, tremblingly that the person standing next to us, to whom we can now do good or evil, might die - how we would hasten to take care of him! There would then be no need, either great or small, that would exceed our ability to devote life to a person who is about to die.

I have already said something about my father; sorry - I'll tell you one more personal. My mother has been dying for three years; she knew it because I told her. And when death entered our life, it transformed life by the fact that every moment, every word, every action - because it could be the last - had to be a perfect expression of all the love, all the affection, all the reverence that was between us. And for three years there was no trifle and no big things, but only the triumph of tremulous, reverent love, where everything merged into greatness, because in one word you can enclose all love, and in one movement you can express all love; and it should be like this.

The Saints understood this not only in relation to one person, whom they loved especially tenderly and for some small years, for which they had the spirit. The saints knew how to live like this throughout their whole lives, from day to day, from hour to hour, in relation to each person, because in each they saw the image of God, a living icon, but - God! - sometimes such a defiled, such a mutilated icon, which they contemplated with special pain and with special love, as we would contemplate an icon trampled into the mud before our eyes. And each of us, with our sin, tramples into the mud the image of God in ourselves.

Think about it. Think how glorious, how marvelous death can be if we only live life like saints. They are people like us, differing from us only in courage and burning spirit. If only we could live like them! And how rich the memory of death could be for us if, instead of being called, in our language, the fear of death, it were a constant reminder that every moment is and can become a door to eternal life. Each moment, filled with all love, all humility, all the rapture and strength of the soul, can open time to eternity and make our earth already a place where paradise is manifested, a place where God lives, a place where we are united in love, a place where everything the evil, the dead, the dark, the dirty, are defeated, transfigured, become light, become purity, become Divine.

May the Lord grant us to ponder these images of the saints, and not to each other, not even to ask ourselves what to do, but to turn directly to them, to these saints, of whom some were at first robbers, sinners, people terrible for others, but who managed by the greatness of the soul to perceive God and grow into measure of the age of Christ. Let's ask them... What happened to you, Father Nicholas? What did you do, how did you reveal yourself to the power of Divine love and grace?.. And he will answer us; with his life and his prayer he will make possible for us what seems impossible to us, because the power of God is made perfect in weakness, and everything is available to us, everything is possible for us in the Lord Jesus Christ who strengthens us.

Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh. About the calling of a Christian.

Word pronounced at the liturgy on the day of memory of St. Nicholas on December 19, 1973, in the church named after him in Kuznetsy (Moscow)

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

I congratulate you on the occasion!

When we celebrate the day of such a saint as Nicholas the Wonderworker, whom not only the Russian heart, but universal Orthodoxy perceived as one of the most perfect images of the priesthood, it is especially reverent to serve the Divine Liturgy and stand before it; because before he became a companion of the apostles, Saint Nicholas was a genuine, true layman. The Lord Himself revealed that it was he who should have been made a priest - for the purity of his life, for the feat of his love, for his love for worship and the temple, for the purity of his faith, for his meekness and humility.

All this was in him not a word, but it was flesh. In the troparion we sing to him that he was rule of faith, image of meekness, teacher of temperance; all this appeared to his flock by the very deed, the radiance of his life, and not just a verbal sermon. And so he was still a layman. And by such a feat, such love, such purity, such meekness, he acquired for himself the highest calling of the Church - to be appointed bishop, bishop of his city; to be before the eyes of the believing people (which itself is the body of Christ, the seat of the Holy Spirit, the divine lot), among the Orthodox people to stand like a living icon; so that, looking at him, in his eyes to see the light of Christ's love, to see in his actions, to experience Christ's divine mercy with his own eyes.

We are all called to follow the same path. There are no two ways for a person: there is a way of holiness; the other way is the way of renunciation of one's Christian calling. Not everyone reaches the height that is revealed to us in the saints; but we are all called to be so pure in our heart, in our mind, in our life, in our flesh, that we may be, as it were, the incarnate presence in the world, from century to century, from millennium to millennium, of Christ Himself.

We are called to be so completely, so completely given to God, that each of us becomes, as it were, a temple where the Holy Spirit lives and acts - both in us and through us.

We are called to be daughters and sons of our Heavenly Father; but not only allegorically, not only because He treats us as a father treats children. In Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are called to truly become His children, like Christ, partaking of His sonship, receiving the Spirit of sonship, the Spirit of God, so that our life may be hidden. with Christ in God.

This we cannot achieve without difficulty. The Church Fathers tell us: shed blood and you will receive the Spirit... We cannot ask God to dwell in us when we ourselves are not working to prepare for Him a holy, purified, God-consecrated temple. We cannot call Him into the depths of our sin again and again, if we do not have a firm, fiery intention, if we are not ready, when He descends to us, when He seeks us like a lost sheep, and wants to carry us back to our father's house, to be taken and carried away forever in His Divine arms.

To be a Christian is to be an ascetic; to be a Christian is to struggle to overcome everything in oneself that is death, sin, unrighteousness, impurity; in a word - to overcome, to overcome everything because of which Christ was crucified, killed on the Cross. Human sin killed him - mine, and yours, and our common; and if we do not overcome and do not get rid of sin, then we partake either of those who, through negligence, coldness, indifference, frivolity, gave Christ to be crucified, or those who maliciously wanted to destroy Him, wipe Him off the face of the earth, because His appearance, His preaching , His personality were their condemnation.

To be a Christian is to be an ascetic; and yet it is impossible for us to save ourselves. Our calling is so high, so great, that a person cannot fulfill it on his own. I have already said that we are called to be, as it were, grafted into the humanity of Christ, as a twig is grafted into a life-giving tree - so that the life of Christ springs up in us, so that we are His body, so that we are His presence, so that our word is His in a word, our love is His love, and our action is His action.

I said that we must become a temple of the Holy Spirit, but more than a physical temple. The material temple contains the presence of God, but is not permeated by it; and a person is called to unite with God in such a way as, according to the word of St. Maximus the Confessor, fire pierces, penetrates iron, becomes one with it, and it is possible (says Maxim) to cut with fire and burn with iron, because it is no longer possible to distinguish where the burning is and where the fuel is. Where is man and where is God.

This we cannot achieve. We cannot become sons and daughters of God just because we ourselves want it or we ask and pray for it; we must be accepted by the Father, adopted, we must become, in the love of God for Christ, what Christ is to the Father: sons, daughters. How can we achieve this? The Gospel gives us the answer. Peter asks: Who can be saved? - And Christ answers: What is impossible for man is possible for God...

Through deeds we can open our hearts; protect your mind and soul from impurity; we can direct our actions so that they are worthy of our calling and our God; we can keep our flesh pure for the communion of the Body and Blood of Christ; we can open ourselves to God and say: Come and dwell in us… And we can know that if we ask this with a sincere heart, we want it, then God, who wants us to be saved more than we know how to want it for ourselves, will give it to us. He Himself tells us in the Gospel: If you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him...

Therefore, let us be with all the strength of our human weakness, with all the burning of our dim spirit, with all the hope of our heart yearning for fullness, with all our faith that cries out to God: Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief! With all the hunger, with all the thirst of our soul and body, let us ask God to come. But at the same time, with all the strength of our soul, with all the strength of our body, let us prepare for Him a temple worthy of His coming: cleansed, dedicated to Him, guarded from all unrighteousness, malice and impurity. And then the Lord will come; and will celebrate, as He promised us, with the Father and the Spirit, the Last Supper in our hearts, in our lives, in our temple, in our society, and the Lord will reign forever, our God to generation and generation.

Santa Claus

In Western Christianity, the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker 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 on St. Nicholas Day, but more often on Christmas Day.

At the origins of the tradition of giving gifts on behalf of Santa Claus is the story of a miracle performed by Nikolai Ugodnik. As the life of the saint says, he saved the family of a poor man who lived in Patara from sin.

The poor man had three lovely daughters, and the need made him think terrible - he wanted to send the girls into prostitution. The local archbishop, and Nicholas the Wonderworker just served them, received a revelation from the Lord about what his parishioner had conceived in desperation. And he decided to save his family, and secretly from everyone. One night, he tied a bundle of gold coins that he inherited from his parents, and threw the bag to the poor man through the window. The father of his daughters discovered the gift only in the morning and thought that it was Christ himself who sent him a gift. With these funds, he married his eldest daughter to a good man.

Saint Nicholas rejoiced that his help had brought good fruit, and in the same way, secretly, he threw a second bag of gold through the window of the poor man. With these funds, he played the wedding of his middle daughter.

The poor man was eager to know who his benefactor was. He did not sleep at night and waited if he would come to help the third daughter? Saint Nicholas was not long in coming. Hearing the ringing of a bundle of coins, the poor man caught up with the archbishop and recognized him as a saint. I fell at his feet and warmly thanked him for saving his family from a terrible sin.

Nikola Winter, Nikola Autumn, Nikola Veshny, "Nikola Wet"

On December 19 and August 11, according to the new style, Orthodox Christians remember, respectively, the death and birth of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. According to the time of the year, these holidays received popular names - Nikola Winter and Nikola Autumn.

They called the feast of the transfer of the relics of the saint and wonderworker Nicholas from the World of Lycian to Bari, which is celebrated on May 22 according to the new style.

The phrase "Nikola Wet" comes from the fact that this saint in all ages was considered the patron saint of sailors and, in general, of all travelers. When the temple in the name of St. Nicholas the Pleasant was built by sailors (often in gratitude for the miraculous rescue on the waters), the people called it "Nikola Wet".

Folk traditions of celebrating the day of memory of Nikolai Ugodnik

In Russia, Nicholas the Pleasant was revered as the "senior" among the saints. Nicola was called "merciful"; temples were built in honor of him and children were named - from antiquity and until the beginning of the 20th century, the name Kolya was the most popular among Russian boys.

About Nikola Zimny (December 19) in the huts in honor of the holiday, festive meals were arranged - they baked pies with fish, brewed mash and beer. The holiday was considered "old man's", the most respected people of the village gathered together a rich table and had long conversations. And the youth indulged in winter entertainment - sledding, dancing, singing songs, preparing for Christmas gatherings.

(42 votes, average: 4,79 out of 5)

On December 19, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Saint Nicholas is considered the patron saint of travelers and seafarers. And he is one of the most revered saints in the entire Orthodox world.
Saint Nicholas, who lived in the 3rd-4th centuries, became famous as a great saint of God, therefore, among the people he is usually called Nicholas the Pleasant. Saint Nicholas was considered "the representative and intercessor of all, the comforter of all the sorrowful, the refuge of all who are in trouble, the pillar of piety, the faithful champion." Christians believe that even today he performs many miracles to help people who pray to him.
Making a pilgrimage to Jerusalem Nicholas the Wonderworker at the request of desperate travelers, he calmed the raging sea with a prayer. Holding the sword of the executioner, Saint Nicholas saved from death three husbands who had been innocently condemned by the greedy mayor.
Not only believers turned to him, but also pagans, and the saint responded with his unfailing miraculous help to all who sought it. In those saved by him from bodily troubles, he aroused repentance for sins and a desire to improve their lives.

During his earthly life, he performed so many good deeds for the glory of God that they cannot be listed, but among them there is one that belongs to the number of virtues and to what served as the basis for their performance, which moved the saint to a feat - his faith, amazing, strong, zealous.
Saint Nicholas died in the middle of the 4th century at a ripe old age. According to church tradition, the relics of the saint were preserved incorruptible and exuded a wonderful myrrh, from which many people were healed. In 1087, the relics of Nicholas the Pleasant were transferred to the Italian city of Bar (Bari), where they are still located.

On the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker,
Everyone knows that dreams do come true.
I wish you faith and love
So that the house is full of beauty.
So that everything is beautiful from the threshold,
So that there is peace in everything,
May the sun shine brightly above you
Let kindness blow from the heart! ©

Saint Nicholas Day

On the day of the great saint
Nicholas the Wonderworker
patron saint of children
I wish you my friend
Many beautiful bright days
To not touch the house
All natural disasters
Let sadness be unknown.
With the whole family, you are only happiness
To get to know together
With this holiday from the heart
You congratulated each other.
I wish you strength of mind
All souls beautiful, pure.
And let love in your house
To be a radiant star. ©

Congratulations on the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

There is a beautiful legend for children:
For a long time she has been walking around the world,
We hear it from mothers
And we'll tell our children later.
And the legend, in fact, is simple:
And it says that for obedient children,
Nicholas comes in the morning
Brings sweets and toys.
Be obedient, my dear child!
Listen to our parenting advice
And then, of course, you won't oversleep,
The creak of the door and the rustle at dawn. ©

Today is a bright and inspiring day!
Saint Nicholas Day!
I will come to you for guidance
You will breathe love into me, warm me with the sun!
Worrying, you protect me from troubles,
If there are tears in my eyes,
On any day and hour, I know it
Sadness will disappear quickly without a trace!
For my sins I ask forgiveness
Pray, Saint, for me!
And save the family from all torment,
From the touches of hellfire!
In memory of you, I light a candle,
Quietly, I ask you about miracles ...
I know I can help, I know for sure!
Even if I sometimes sin ... ©