Life and Akathist of Saint Hierarch Nicholas,

whose Holy Relics are worshiped in our church

The great miracle-maker, the hasty helper and the most chosen intercessor to God, the archer of Christ, Nicholas, have revived the parts of Lycia, in the city called Patara, from honest and kind parents, faithful and wealthy. . His father’s name was Theophan, and his mother, Nona. This blessed pair, spending in good faith in the lawful companion and adorning themselves with the good habit, for their pleasing life to God and for the many great mercies and deeds of great good, have been entrusted to ruin this holy olive – themselves. being a holy root – and it is done as the psalmist says: Like a tree sprouted by the fountains of the waters, which gave its fruit in its time. So, by giving birth to this divine child, he named him Nicolae, who translates as “victor of the people”; and he has truly proved himself the victor of evil, thus favoring God for the common good of the world.

After that birth, his mother Nona remained barren, until the separation of the body, revealing itself the nature that it is not possible to give birth to another son like that, only to have him first and then, who from his mother’s womb was sanctified by the gift of God breathed. For he did not begin to live except to honor God with good care, neither began to suck on the breast, do wonders for infants, nor did he first learn to eat, but to fast. For after his birth, being in the bath, he stood three hours on his feet, alone, not supporting him, giving by this state, honoring the Holy Trinity, to whom he would later be a great servant and first-born. . When he approached the breast of his mother, he was known to be a miracle worker, feeding not on the custom of the others’ babies – because only from the right breast he suckled milk – having to acquire with the right-believers the right state.

Then he began to be a fast-tracker, because Wednesday and Friday he only sucked milk from his breast and then in the evening, after performing the usual Christian prayer, for which his parents wondered and wondered before what kind of fastener it will be Nicolae later. That habit of fasting, taking away the Blessed One from his diapers and keeping him in his life, until his happy ending, spending Wednesday and Friday in fasting. So as the child grew over the years, he was growing along with his understanding and good habits, which his good parents learned from his parents; being a fruitful hold, which receives in itself the seed of the teaching of the good, which pervades and brings new fruits of good deeds every day.

When the time came for school, it was given to the teaching of the divine Scriptures, and with the natural keenness of the mind and the power of the Holy Spirit, in a short time, came to much wisdom. Then it increased as much in the teaching of the book as it was in need of the good overseers of the ship of Christ and the shepherd of the wise of the sheep of the talkers. So, by becoming perfect in the word of teaching, He also appeared perfect in the work of life; from the vain friends and from the useless utterances, he would go out and talk to the women or look with his face to the woman’s face, much was avoided, for running away from the party with the women.

With true wisdom and a pure mind, he could see God and always lingered in the holy churches, as the prophet says, “I would have been rejected in the house of my God.” Many times, one day and one night, in the prayerful thoughts of God and in reading the divine books, he learned the spiritual understanding and enriched himself with the divine gifts of the Holy Spirit, with which he prepared himself a worthy place, such as it is written: You are the church of God, and the Spirit of God lives in you.

So the improved and clean young man, bearing in himself the Spirit of God, was fully spiritual, burning with the spirit, and serving the Lord with fear, so that there was no youth in him, but only the habits of the old man for whom all he became wonderful and glorified. For as the old man, if he has the habit of the young, is mocked by all, so the young man, if he have the scorn of the old man, is honored by all; because young people are old for old age, but honest and beautiful are old people in their youth.

Blessed Nicholas had an uncle bishop of the same name as his. His uncle, seeing his nephew coming to life with good deeds and completely alienating himself from the world, advised his parents to give him service to God. And they did not refuse to give their son to the Lord, whom they received as a gift from him. Because he writes in the old books for the children, as being helpless and despairing of having children, with many prayers, tears and many mercies, they asked from God for this son; and they gave it to the one who gave it to him.

Receiving the bishop on the young man, who had the wisdom as a bounty and the purest life, he ascended the holy steps of the priesthood, and when he was ordained, the bishop turned to the people who were in the church and filled with the Holy Spirit, he prophesied, saying, “Behold, brethren, I see a new sun rising upon the ends of the earth, appearing to the sorrowful as a merciful comfort. A! happy is the flock that will be worthy to have on this shepherd! For he will comfort the souls of the wandering, and bring good news to the pastures of good faith; then it will also show a hot helper to those in need. ” This prophecy was later fulfilled, as we will show in the story of what we will do.

So, receiving St. Nicholas upon his step of the priesthood, he added stubbornness to stubbornness, spending fasting and incessant prayers, and with his mortal body striving to follow those without bodies. Thus, living just like the angels, from day to day he flourished more with his soulful adornment and showed himself worthy of the leadership of the Church.

At that time, his uncle, Bishop Nicholas, wanting to go to Palestine to worship there holy places, entrusted the entire leadership of his nephew’s church. So he, taking his place, had all the care for the ordination of the churches, as did the bishop of his uncle. At that time, the parents of the happy, leaving this temporary life, moved to the eternal one, and Saint Nicholas, remaining the heir of their wealth, divided it to the poor. Because he did not look at the wealth flowing beside him, nor cared for its multiplication; but, rejecting all the worldly desires, he wholeheartedly endeavored to unite with God, to which he spoke: “To thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul; teach me to do thy will, that thou art my God; I am cast out of the womb of my mother, my God you are. ” So his hand was stretched out to the poor, like a river of great water flowing with abundance.

In order that his many mercies may be more easily known, let us show one, namely: There was a man in that city, of the glorious and rich, who afterwards remained poor and unloved, for the life of his age is unstable. That man had three very beautiful girls, and now, being deprived of all necessities, he had neither food, clothing, nor thought to give his daughters to deforestation, and his house to make her an unclean house, for his great poverty. , that just so he can have something useful and earn for himself and his daughters clothing and food. Alas, what kind of vicious thoughts drives away the great poverty! So that old man being in such evil thoughts and his evil thought now wanting to bring him in fact with jealousy, God Who does not want to see the loss of human nature, but with love of people, goes to our needs, has put kindness in the heart of His pleasure, Saint Nicholas, and sent him to the aid of the man who was to perish with the soul, by secret breath, comforting the one who was in poverty and escaping from the fall of sin.

So, hearing St. Nicholas of the man’s great absence and by divine revelation notifying him of his evil thought, he felt very sorry for the man, and thought that with his good-doing hand, he would abduct him along with his daughters as from the fire of poverty and sin. But he did not want to be with this man, to tell him about his good deeds, but secretly he thought to give his mercy to him with mercy. And this is what it wants to do for two reasons: first, to escape human glory, because it took into account why the gospel was saying: “Remember, do not do your mercy before people”; and, second, as the man, who was once rich, and now in great poverty, should not put him to shame, for he knew that some like these are heavy, those of riches and of glory fall into poverty, because their souls are ashamed, reminding them of their former wealth. For this reason, he thought to do so, according to the word of Christ: “Let not thy left know what thy right do.” For so much did he flee from human glory, that even for whom he did good, he strove to hide himself.

So, taking a great yellow connection, he went to that man’s house at midnight and, throwing it in through the window of that house, returned to his house. In the morning, when the man got up and found the connection, he untied it and seeing the yellows he was frightened, for he thought there was some glimmer, fearing that gold might not be a deception, since he did not expect from anyone and nowhere does any good doer. Then, turning the yellow with the tip of his finger, he looked inside and knowing that it was true, he rejoiced and marveled, and with joy he was crying with hot tears and, thinking much in himself who would have done such a good thing to him. , not asking. So, judging him to be God’s caretaker, he continually thanked Him, giving praise to the Lord who cares for all. Then immediately one of his daughters, the eldest, married a man and gave her the gold he had received enough for her dowry.

Noticing this wonderful Nicolae, that he did at his will, that man, he liked. And again he showed himself ready to do the same mercy with the second daughter of the old man, trying to keep this virgin by the wedding lawful for the sin of transgression. So, he prepared another yellow connection, as with the other, and, avoiding all, at night, threw it in the same window, in the old man’s house.

In the morning, that poor man got up, found gold again, like the first time. Then he began to marvel, too, and, falling on his face, with hot tears, thanked him, saying, “God, the will of mercy and the spill of our salvation, who first redeemed me with your Blood and now my house and my my daughters delivering us through the gold of the race of the wicked, And show me the one who serves Your will for the merciful and Your kindness to the loving of people. Show me your earthly angel, the one who keeps us from the loss of sin, to know who is one like that, who takes us out of poverty, which grieves us, and delivers us from evil thoughts, that behold! , according to Your mercy, Lord, with the mercy done in secret, with the hand of Your pleasure, I will also give my second daughter with a lawful marriage after a man and so I will escape the races of the devil, who wants by unclean profit to bring me great loss ”.

Then that man, praying to the Lord and thanking His goodness, made a wedding for his second daughter too, hoping in God – for he had no hope in him – as he would look after his third daughter. and he will give her also to have a beloved living, according to the law, sending her again gold of enough, also with that good hand. Therefore, he did not sleep at night watching, so that he could feel the doer well and be astonished to see where that gold came from. And here, not long after, the expected arrival. For the third time the pleasure of Christ came, Nicholas, and, having reached the usual place, he threw a yellow link on the same window, and immediately returned to his house. The father of the virgins, finding the gold thrown at the window, ran as soon as he could after the one returning to his house, whom, reaching and knowing him who he is – because the saint was not known for his good deed and for his kindness. the enlightened one – he fell at his feet, kissing them and calling him a savior, aide and a savior to the souls, to those who had reached the ultimate loss. Then he said, “If the great Lord had not risen up for me, through your mercies, I would have perished long ago, you bastard father, with my daughters, by falling into the fire of Sodom, alas! And behold, now through you we are saved from the bitter fall into sin. ” These and more spoke with tears to the saint. And he barely got up on his feet and swore to tell the one, that in his whole life he would not tell anyone what had been done. Then the saint, saying much to the man’s benefit, sent him to his house.

Here is one of the many facts of the mercy of Saint Nicholas, which was told here, to know anyone who was merciful to the poor. If he had told his mercy one by one and how much mercy he showed to the poor, how many hungry he fed, how many naked he dressed and how many he redeemed from debtors, then the weather would not be enough. the stories.

Thereafter, the Blessed Father Nicholas wanted to go to Palestine, to see the Holy Places and to worship there, where our Lord Jesus Christ walked, with His very clean feet. So, floating around Egypt and not knowing what was going to happen to them, Saint Nicholas, who was with the giants, saw better that it was going to be dark, vivid and striking with terrible winds. Then he told them that he had seen the enemy before entering the ship, wanting to sink it with the people. Then a great storm came upon them, with no news, and a cloud rose, and the sea raged. And those who floated were greatly afraid of the horror of death and prayed to Saint Nicholas to help them and to deliver them from the need for no news that fell upon them saying, “Holy of God, you will not help us with your prayers to God, as soon as we plunge into this depth and perish. ” And he, telling them to dare and to put their hope in God, and no doubt to await their redemption, himself began earnestly to pray to the Lord. And immediately the sea was calm, and all the horror was turned into joy, and they, overcoming their affliction, rejoiced greatly, and were pleased with God and his favor, with St. Nicholas, and greatly marveled at the prophecy of the storm and the escape of need.

At the same time, one of the ships climbed to the top of the mast, as is the custom of those who steer the ship, and when it was about to descend from there, it slipped from above and fell in the middle of the ship, lying without soul. And Saint Nicholas, before calling for help, raised the man with prayer and, not as a dead man, but as a sleeping man, raised him up and gave him to the rowers alive. Then, lifting all the cloths and being a good wind, they floated quietly and arrived at the Alexandrian border, where the pleasure of God, St. Nicholas, healed many sick. Removing the devils from the people and many troubled caresses, he again set out for Palestine and reached the Holy City of Jerusalem, went up to Golgotha, where Christ God worked the salvation of the human race, stretching His clean hands on the Cross. There he raised warm prayers from his heart, burning with love, giving thanks to our Savior. Then, he surrounded all the holy places, making many prayers everywhere. And when it was time to enter the holy church at night and the doors were closed, they opened themselves, giving entrance to the one to whom even the heavenly gates were open.

Lying in Jerusalem for a long time, he was preparing to go into the wilderness, but by a divine voice from above he was advised to return to his homeland. Because God, the One who ordains all for the benefit of our souls, does not want to be hidden under the rubble of the wilderness, that lamp, which he had prepared to be placed in the candlestick of the Lycia metropolis. So, finding a ship, it was with the ships to take him to his homeland.

However, they thought to do the trick, that is, to direct their ship elsewhere, not to Lichia. After settling in the ship, departing from the shore, St. Nicholas saw that the ship was not floating to his homeland. Then he fell at the feet of the boatmen and asked them to make their way to Lichia, but they, ignoring him, went to the place where they thought, not knowing that God would not allow His pleasure to be in grief. So, blowing a blow against it, he turned the ship elsewhere and instead took it to Lichia, and the shipwright was terrifying them with the greatest need. Thus Saint Nicholas, with the power of God being taken to the sea, arrived in his homeland. But he, being without malice, did no harm to those enemies, nor did he turn to anger, and not even a harsh word spoke to them, but with blessing he released them in their part. And he went to the monastery his grandfather had built, the bishop of the Patars and called it Saint Zion. There, St. Nicholas was very dear to all the brethren, who, with great love, receiving him as the angel of God, were sweetened by the words of God breathed in and used by his life, precisely with the angels, and followed the customs. to the good ones, with whom God had adorned his faithful servant.

Finding St. Nicholas in this monastery had a quiet life and a more peaceful place for his thoughts to God, as a liman of peace, he hoped that the other time of his life would be spent there. But God showed him the way, wanting that rich treasure, of all the good deeds with which everyone would be enriched, not to be hidden, as in a land covered with earth, in a special monastery and in a room small enclosure; but that it may be in the sight of all, that through that spiritual treasure, there may be spiritual mercy, which upon many souls will find them.

Thus, the saint, once praying, heard a voice from above: “Nicolae, to enter the need of the people, if you want to be of Me crowned.” Hearing this voice, Nicolae became frightened and thought to himself: What does that voice mean and what does the Lord require from him? And again he heard a voice, saying, “Nicholas, this is not the holda that you must bear fruit and which I expect from you; but turn to men, that they may glorify My name through you. ” Then Saint Nicholas knew the will of God, that, leaving the peace, he would go to serve the salvation of men. So the thought of where he will go: to his homeland, to the city of Patara, to acquaintances, or elsewhere. But, fearing and fleeing the glorious human glory, he thought of going to another city, where no one would know him.

On that side of the Lycia is a glorious fortress, which is called Mira, the metropolis of Lycia. So, in that city came St. Nicholas, being led by the care of God, that no one knew. There he lived as one of the poor, with nowhere to go. He was only going to the house of the Lord, having God alone.

At that time, the archer of the city of Mira, John the archbishop and first sitting on the seat in the whole country of Lycia moved to God. Then all the bishops of that country gathered in Mira to choose a man worthy of that seat. So, being honest men and with good understanding, they were puzzled among themselves, to choose. Some, starting from the divine will, said that this is not a matter of human choice, but of God’s order. So it is appropriate to pray for this, that the Lord Himself should show who is worthy to receive a step like this and to be a shepherd over all Lichia.

Everyone, listening to that good advice, prayed diligently and with fasting. And the Lord, in the will of those who fear Him, and obeyed their prayer, discovered His goodwill, to one of the older bishops in this respect; while he was praying, he was shown an enlightened man, commanding him to go at night and to stand by the doors of the church and to consider who would enter the church before all; “That one” – he said – “is exhorted by my Spirit and, taking it honestly, to make him archbishop. And that man’s name is Nicolae ”. This divine vision having that bishop and hearing what had been commanded in his vision, he proclaimed to the other bishops, and those, hearing, were more exhorted to prayer, with a love of obstinacy.

Then the bishop who saw the discovery stood at that place, where he was commanded in a vision and awaited the coming of the desired man. So, when it was Utrenia’s time, Saint Nicholas, urged by the Spirit, arrived earlier than all in the church, because he had a habit of getting up at midnight to pray and came at the beginning of the singing of Utrenia, first of all in the church. . Entering the porch, he took the bishop who had confessed to that vision and said, “What is your name, my son?” But he was silent. He asks again. The saint replied gently: “Nicholas calls me, my lord, the servant of your holiness.” That godly man, who heard that gentle voice, understood, on the one hand, by the name that had been said in his vision, that his name was Nicholas; and on the other, through his humility, that the saint responded gently. So he knew that he is the one God desires to be the metropolitan of the church in Mira. For he knew whom the Lord seeks, as the Scripture says: “He that is gentle and quiet, and he that is dismayed at my words.” Then he was very glad, as if he had discovered a hidden treasure, and immediately, taking him by the hand, he said, “Follow me, son.” So he took him to the bishops with honor. And, filling themselves with divine gratitude and spiritual comfort in finding the man of God shown, they brought him into the midst of the church.

Traveling this news everywhere, they gathered rather than birds, crowds of countless people. The bishop, who had seen the vision, said with a loud voice to all, “Receive, my brethren, your shepherd, whom the Holy Spirit has chosen for you, and to whom the charge of your souls has been fully entrusted; which not the human choice, but the judgment of God brought here. Here we have the one I wanted and sought, found and received. So, being well-informed by it, we will not fall short of hope that we may thus be well before God on the day of His manifestation and discovery. “

The people thanked God and rejoiced, but St. Nicholas refused to receive that step, not praising human praise. However, being prayed by all the holy and martial saints, even without his will they lifted him up on the archer’s seat, for by a divine vision he was exhorted to this, which he had before the archbishop’s death. About this vision St. Methodius, the patriarch of Constantinople, wrote: “One night, St. Nicholas saw our Savior in glory, standing near him and giving him the Holy Gospel, which was adorned with gold and mirrors; and on the other side he saw the Holy Mother of God, placing on his shoulders an archer homophore. ” After that vision a few days passed and John, the archbishop of the Bridegroom, Nicolae was elected archbishop of that city.

From that vision, remembering Saint Nicholas and seeing the goodwill of God, even the prayers of the sobriety, failing to see them, received the shepherd’s lichen. And the holy gathering of bishops, together with the clergy, doing all that was proper to his sanctification, made a feast of joy, rejoicing over their shepherd, the one given by God, by the archer of Christ, Nicholas. Thus, the Church of God received the illuminated sheet, which was not set aside, nor hidden under the bush, but standing at the proper place, in the candlestick of the archery and the shepherd, where it shone bright, rightly speaking the word of truth and all the commandments. those who are faithful, healthy by thinking and learning.

From the very beginning of his ministry, the pleasure of God spoke within itself: “O! Nicolae, for this duty and for this place, needs other habits; so from now on you will not live for others but for others ”. Then, wanting to learn the good deeds of his sheep, he no longer hid his life with good deeds, as before. For before, only one God knew his life, serving them in secret. And after he was made archer, he was shown to all his life, not for vain magnification, but for the use and multiplication of the glory of God, so that those written in the Gospel were fulfilled: “So let your light shine before men, as seeing your deeds. the good ones, to glorify your Father who is in heaven. “

Saint Nicholas was the mirror of his flock through all the good works and model of the believers, as the Apostle says: “With the word, with life, with love, with faith, with spirit and with cleanliness”. Then he was gentle, devoid of wickedness and humble in spirit, fending off his pride. His clothes were simple and the food he always tastes only once a day and that evening. All day long, he was busy with the things that were his duty, listening to the needs of those who came to him, and the doors of his house were open to all, for he was kind to all and close. The poor man was their father; the poor, merciful; comforting to those who wept, to the help of the afflicted and to all great doers of good. Then he won for help in his pastoral endeavors and for the rectification of the Church, on two advisers with good deeds and with good understanding, honest with regard to the priesthood, namely Paul of Rhodes and Teodor Ascalonite, men known throughout Greece.

Thus, the flock entrusted to him, of the sheep of Christ, the good ones, was well guarded. And the devilish eye of the devil of the wicked one, who never ceases to raise war on the servants of God, eager to see the good faith flourish in men, has erected the Church of Christ, through the pagan emperors of Rome, Diocletian and Maximian. From them then went forth a commandment through all the world, that all the believers should renounce Christ and worship the idols; and those who will not obey, be forced, with torment, through prison and hard work, and finally, with forced death, to be punished.

Such a desolate vibe had even reached the fortress of Mira, being carried by the wishers of the obscenity of the dark one. And the happy Nicholas, in that city being the ruler of all Christians, with a clear tongue preached the good faith of Christ and showed himself ready to suffer for him. For this reason he was taken by the pagan workers and put in prison together with many Christians. Having spent a long time here, he suffered many evils, enduring hunger, thirst, and the distress of the prison. Those who were bound together nourished the word of God and watered the sweet waters of good faith, increasing their faith in Christ God and putting their feet on the foundation. Then, in strengthening his confession of Christ, he boldly urged them to suffer for the truth.

Then, again, peace was given to Christians, and as the sun after the dark clouds, so did the right faith shine or as a cooling coming after the storm. For, by seeking Christ with love of men over His inheritance, he lost the dominion of the heathen, driving away Diocletian and Maximian from the kingdom; and with them he expelled those who ministered to the Greek paganism, and raised to his people a horn of salvation, by showing the Cross of the great emperor Constantine, to whom he had entrusted the rule of Rome.

Constantine, knowing the One God and placing his hope in Him, overcame all his adversaries with the power of the Holy Cross, and lost the vain hope of those who had formerly commanded to scatter the shrouds of idols and to build Christian churches; and to those who were kept in prison for Christ, he freed them, and with great praise honored them as heroes; and all the witnesses of Christ returned to their homeland.

Then, too, the city of Brides received again its pastor, this great archer Nicolae, martyr with the will and without crowned blood. He, having the gift of God in himself, healed the passions and the powers of the people, not only of the faithful, but also of the unbelievers. So, for the great gift of God that went on within, many were glorified, wonderful, and much loved; for he shone with the purity of his heart, and was adorned with all the gifts of God, ministering unto his Lord with pity and righteousness.

At that time there were still many idolistic chaplains, in which the pagan people served with devilish love and not a few people perished from the city of the Bridegroom. But the archer god, burning with zeal, went through all those places, scattering the idolatrous robes, and cleaning his flock from the unclean devils. Saint Nicholas, fighting on the spirits of the wicked, came also on the shrine of Artemis, who is a place of idols, was large and very adorned. The departure of the saint was more focused on the idols than on the unclean capist, whom he had crushed to the ground, and the high building scattered it to the ground; then the wicked spirits, unable to withstand the coming of the saint, uttered loud cries, crying out loud, for they were defeated and banished from their place, by the weapon of the prayers of the unfailing host Nicholas, the archer of Christ.

After this, the blessed emperor Constantine, wishing to strengthen the faith in Christ God, commanded that the sovereignty of all the world be kept in the city of Nice. The Holy Fathers gathered there, preaching the right faith, and Arias, the evil thinker and the sower of misery, together with his heresy, gave him anathema. Then the Son of God, just as a man and a being with the Father confessed, gave peace to the gods and the apostles of the Church.

Then, even the wonderful Nicolae was at the helm, one of the 318 Holy Fathers, with great courage, stood against the arias of Arie and together with the Holy Fathers shewed the dogmas of the faith of the righteous and made them known to all.

One of the historians tells about it, who, igniting with a divine zeal as the second Elijah, dared in the midst of shame to shame Aria, not only by word, but by deed, by striking Aria in the face. Therefore, the Holy Fathers were saddened and, for this reason, the archer signs were taken from within. And our Lord Jesus Christ and the Blessed Mother, looking up to the needs of St. Nicholas, praised his deed with boldness and praised his divine zeal. The same vision had also some of the most worthy Holy Fathers, as St. Nicholas himself saw before his election to the archery, that is, standing on one side, Christ the Lord with the Gospel, and on the other the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. with the homophore, they gave back those taken from him, knowing that it was pleasing to God that saint’s boldness. So, the parents were silent and as a pleasure of God, they honored him very much.

Returning Saint Nicholas from the priest, he came to the flock bringing peace, blessing and sound teaching to the whole multitude of the people, with his mouth that springing honey. Then on the unhealthy and foreign flock he cut off the root, and the hardened and insensitive heretics, who had aged in wickedness, rebuking them, cast him out of the flock of Christ, as a wise earth-worker, who cleanses all that they are in the area and in the press, and the best ones to choose from, then the fly a shake.

Thus, the wise worker of the area of ​​Christ, St. Nicholas, filled the spiritual barn with good fruit, and the chaff of the glittering mischief and heretics a wind and cast it away from the wheat of the Lord. For this reason, the Holy Church calls him a shovel that winds Arie’s teachings as a plague. He was truly the light of the world and the salt of the earth, since his life was illuminated and his word tamed with the salt of wisdom. For he had the good shepherd with great care for his flock in the necessities that were upon him, not only with the spiritual pasture nourishing her, but also with the nourishment of the body.

Another time, in the land of Lycia, great famine and the city of the Bridegroom, lacking all kinds of food, and the people being in great need, the archer of God, showing mercy to the poor people who were starving, showed up at night in dream of a merchant from Italy, who had filled a ship with wheat, wishing to go with her to another country and giving her three yellow arvuna, ordered him to go to the city of Mira and there to sell her wheat for a price. Waking up from the sleep-wake shaker and finding in his hand three yellow ones, he became frightened, marveling at a dream like that.

For that miracle the unobtrusive merchant was not shown to do what he was commanded. But he went down to the city of Mira and sold the wheat to those who were there, not neglecting the appearance of Saint Nicholas, which was done to him in his sleep. And the citizens, finding comfort in that hunger and hearing the historic ones, gave glory and thanks to God and blessed the great archer Nicholas, their wonderful nurturer.

At that time, there was a disturbance in Phrygia the Great, from which the emperor Constantine sent three voievodos along with the soldiers who were under them to appease that disorder. And the names of the voivodes are: Nepotian, Bear and Erpilion. They, with great diligence, departing from Constantinople, came to some border of the diocese of Lichia, which is called the Andrian shore, where it was a fortress. And since he did not give them a hand to go, because the sea was enveloped, they waited for the calm of the sea at that liman. Then, one of the soldiers coming out of the ship to buy the necessities, take the foreign ones with the sila, as is the custom of the soldiers. Often in doing so, they were harming those who lived there. For this reason there was confusion and turmoil, as well as war was to take place on both sides, at the place called Placomata.

Notifying himself of this, St. Nicholas did not go away to go alone to that shore and to the city, to quell the quarrel between them. Then, immediately, the whole city and the voivodes, hearing the coming of the saint, came to greet him and worship him. The saint asked the voivodes where they are from and where they are going? They said that they were sent by the emperor to Phrygia to ease the disorder that had taken place there. The saint advised them to teach their soldiers not to upset the people. Then, taking the voivodes in the city, he lovingly celebrated them. And they, arguing with the soldiers, appeased the disorder and confessed the blessing of the saint.

When this was done, some citizens of Mira came, who, crying with tears and falling at the feet of the saint, were calling for help for people convicted without guilt. They said with sorrow that, not being the saint there, Eustatia came the igemon and, filling her hands with money from some evil men, sentenced to death three men in their city, who did nothing wrong, “of whom the whole city grumbles and cries, waiting for your return, my lord; that if you had been at home, it would not have dared the igemon to make such an unfair judgment. “

The archer of God, hearing some like these, was grieved with his soul and, taking with him the voivodes, immediately departed. Arriving at the place called Leo, they met some people coming and asked if they knew anything about those three men who are sentenced to death. They said to him, “I left them in the field of Castor and Polux, being brought there to cut them down.” Then the saint hurried to that place, striving to get there before the innocent killing of those. Arriving at that place, he saw a great deal of people sitting there, and the three condemned men, with their hands tied and their faces covered and bent to the ground and with their bare clumps, waiting for the perfect cut. Then he saw the ice cream man pulling out his sword to kill them, showing himself troubled and savage, and for that reason everyone was frightened and crying. Then, the archer of Christ, troubled in his soul, boldly entered the people, and, grasping the sword from the hand of the ice-cream, threw it to the ground, being free from nothing, and released the men from their bonds.

All this the saint did with great boldness, and there was no one to stop him; for his word was with authority, and his work with divine power, being great before God and all the people. Those three men, rescued from death, seeing themselves returned from the clutches of death to life, wept with glad tears and shouted with gratitude to all who had gathered there. Then came the Eustatian igloo, and the pleasure of God overlooked him, and when he drew near to him he turned his face, and when he fell at his feet he did not receive him. The saint said he would tell the emperor and ask God to punish him; then, with perfect work, he was greatly terrified, as one who does not rightly obey his control. And he, being rebuked by conscience and frightened by the dread of the saint, with tears begged for mercy and prayed with all his soul, pleading for his injustice, seeking to reconcile with his great father Nicholas. The fault was cast on Simonite and Eudoxie, the foremost of the city, but the lie could not be concealed, because the saint knew with the truth that, being bribed with gold, he sentenced the innocent to death, and all the people gave great thanks to Saint Nicholas. It was only when the pleasure of Christ was softened that he forgave the ighemon, because now alone, with humility and many tears, he confessed the mistake not to blame anyone else.

The above-mentioned voivodes, along with those who had come with the people, seeing all that had happened, marveled at the zeal and kindness of the great archer of God. Then, confessing themselves to his holy prayers and receiving his blessing as a gift, they went to Phrygia to fulfill the king’s command. So, going there, they relieved the turmoil that was and did all their command by the emperor, returned with joy to Vizantia and had great honor and praise from the emperor and all the governors. Since then, for their great glory, they spent in the palace, where they were also entrusted with the royal advice. But the wicked and mischievous eyes of the wicked men, unable to see them in a magnification like that, turned to wickedness and enmity.

That is why, waving the wicked counsel, they approached Avlavia, the eparch of the fortress, waving horrible caresses on their men and saying, “The voivodes have not well advised, nor will the end of their counsel be good, that they start new things. , who have now entered our ears and crafted the wicked ones over the emperor. ” Thus, leaning on them, lots of gold gave to the eparch and they carried that lace in the emperor’s ears. Hearing this, the emperor promptly ordered, without further question, to throw the three voivodes into prison, lest they should flee in secret and do their evil counsel. So the voivodes were in bonds and in the dungeon, not knowing why they were thrown there, because they knew nothing about being guilty.

For a short time, the carpenters were afraid that their false carving might not be seen and that their wickedness would come to light, so that they would return to all their need. For this reason, with many prayers, they approached the eparch, advising him not to let those men live longer, but rather to make a death sentence, after the first judgment. And the eparch, who had sweetened himself with the love of gold, hearing these things ended the promise. So immediately he went to the emperor with a sad face and a mournful face, like a bad announcer, wishing to show that he cared much for the king’s life and faithfully cared for him. Then he began, in various faces, to deceive with crafty and crafty words, turning his anger on the innocent and saying, “None of those who remain in the prison will repent, emperor, but spend the first think bad, do not cease to think mischievously and think of yourself with malice. So, command faster to kill them, lest by grabbing them first, to commit the wickedness which they have set upon you, so their evil ends will come to an end. “

With these words the king was troubled, he sentenced the innocent to death; but in the evening, their killing was postponed until the next morning. Noticing this, the prison guard and crying a great deal like that, placed on those innocent, came to the voivodes, saying: “It would have been better for me not to have known you, nor to have sweetened me of love and with words at the table, for more easily I would have endured the separation from you now, and with less grief would have caused me the scourge that came upon you. Then there would be no sorrow like this on my soul, because tomorrow morning, alas! we will part with each other bitterly and from now on I will not see your beloved faces too much, nor will I hear you talking anymore, for he was commanded to kill you. So arrange if you want something, for your fortune, that now is the time, so that your will will not take death. “

Saying these in mourning, and knowing themselves innocent of the emperor, and therefore unworthy of death, they tore their robes and severely tore their hair, saying, “What enemies have plagued our lives, and why should we die as robbers?” ? That I did nothing worthy of death. ” Then they called their names, relatives and acquaintances and testified to God that they did nothing wrong and wept bitterly.

One of them, by the name of Nepotian, remembered Saint Nicholas, who, sitting in Mira before the three men, was made their exalted helper and good defender, rescuing those dead. Saying this, they were praying to one another: “The God of Nicholas, who saved the three men from the unjust death, is now seeking for us that we have no other help among men; because here is a great need and we have no one to rescue us from this mess. Here, too, our voice has been numb, before our soul departs, and our tongue dries, igniting the fire of the heart, and now we can no longer pray. May your mercies please us, Lord, and bring us out of the hands of those who want our souls, because tomorrow morning they want to kill us; he pleads for our help and rescues us, those innocent of death ”.

God, hearing the prayers of those who feared Him, and, as a merciful father of sons, sent His holy and pleasing help, the great archer Nicholas. For on that night, the king’s dream was shown to him in the dream of Christ, saying, “Rise up quickly, and release the three widows who are kept in prison, for without guilt they are sorrowful and unjustly afflicted.” . And, telling the whole truth, he said to him, “If you will not listen to me and release your children, then I will raise war on you as it was in Phrygia and you will suffer evil.” Astonishing the emperor for the boldness of Saint Nicholas, he thought about how he dared the night without entering his palace and said, “Who are you who dare to bring such a horror on our control?” He replied: “Nicolae is my name and I am the archer of the Metropolis of the Brides.”

The king was troubled by that vision, and, rising up, thought what this was? As well as Avlavia, the eparch, that night, while he was asleep, showed himself to the saint in a dream, and told the same thing to those men. Waking up, Avlavie was afraid and terrified in her mind of what she had seen. Then someone from the emperor came and told him what he saw in the dream. And he rather went to the emperor, told him the vision and what was shown to him, and they both marveled at that praiseworthy vision, which was given to them both.

Immediately the king commanded to bring before the voivodes of the prison, and he said to the elders, “What did the sorcerers do to you, that you sent such visions upon us? For showing himself a man terrified us very badly, praising himself that he would bring war “, and as they knew nothing they asked each other, they knew something – that no one knew anything – and with humiliated eyes they searched for each other.

Seeing the emperor like this, he gently changed and said to the Gentiles, “Do not be sorry, tell the truth.” And they, with their eyes full of tears and very much troubled, said, “We, the kings, do not know the sorcerers, neither have we planned anything evil on your dominion, nor have we thought anything, the witness is the eye of all who see us. Lord. And if it is not so, and you will find deceit within us, then do no mercy with us; and not only these three of us, but our nation, too, do not spare him. We learned from our parents to honor the emperor and, above all, to have faith in him. As such, now with faith I have guarded your life, and those entrusted to us, as has fallen to our governorship, have well governed them, ministering earnestly to your commandment; for the affliction of Phrygia, I have appeased her, and the war planned by the enemy, and we have scattered her, thereby showing our bravery with deed before thee, as those who know well will say. And your lord before you gave us honor, and now you harshly armed us, being judged terribly and we are waiting with fear to suffer. So, as it seems to us, O king, our longing for you has been a cause of great labor to us, for instead of the glory and honor we have hoped for, the fear of death and condemnation has overtaken us. ” .

Humbling the emperor with these words, he mocked the mockery of those men; for he shuddered at the judgment of God, and was ashamed of the royal porphyry; for he who needs to make laws, sees himself making judgments without law. So at that hour he looked more mercifully at them and began to speak gently to them. And, looking humbly at the emperor, they immediately saw the face of Saint Nicholas sitting with the emperor and doing them mercy and forgiveness. But no one saw it, except the three voivodes. Then, when they dared, they said out loud: “O God of Nicholas, who once saved the three men in Mira from the unjust death, take away your servants, too, from this need, what is ours. on”. And the emperor, speaking, said, “Who is Nicholas, and whom did the men deliver?” Tell me in detail this ”. And Nepotian told them all.

Then the emperor, knowing St. Nicholas that he was the great pleasure of God, and marveling at his boldness and zeal for the afflicted, released those voivodes, saying, “I do not give you your life, but your great servant. God, Nicholas, you called for help. So go to him and give him thanks, and then say to him on my side: Behold, I have done the things which you have commanded; so do not be angry with me, the pleasure of Christ! ” When he had said this, he entrusted to them a gospel of gold, a golden coffin, adorned with precious stones and two candlesticks, commanding them to give them to the church in Mira.

Thus, the three voivodes acquiring the glorious salvation, immediately started on the path and gladly came to the saint, whom they saw with joy. Then they gave great thanks to one who had done such goodness to them, and they sang, saying, “Lord, Lord, who is like you, the one who saves the poor from the hand of the stronger than he?” Then not only did the poor leave their souls, but those who were destitute of their possessions, and afterwards, with good increase, returned to theirs.

These are the things of God, which increase in His pleasure. That is why, like a bird preaching the news everywhere, it went through the glitter of the seas and all the world, so that no place was left, where the great wonders of the glorious archer Nicolae could not be heard, after his gift from Almighty God.

Once some ships were floating from Egypt to the parts of Lycia, a great storm happened to them, so that the canvases were thrown down, and the ship was about to break out of the turmoil of the waves of the big ones. Then everyone was scared to death. And when they remembered the great archer Nicolae – whom they had never seen, but had only heard of him, that he is urgently helpful to those who call him in need – they went with the prayers to him and they asked him called for help. And the saint immediately appeared to them and entered the ship, saying, “Behold, you called me and I came to help you; so don’t be afraid. ” Grasp the rudder, see how the ship is running. Then the wind and the sea quarreled, as did our former Lord, who said, “He that believeth in me, and the things that I do, the same shall do.” Thus, the faithful servant of the Lord commanded the sea and the wind, and those were obedient to him.

After that, the shipmen, wearing a soft wind, arrived in the city of Mira and, leaving the ship, went to the city, wanting to see the one who rescued them from their needs. Seeing him go to church, they knew their doer well and, running, fell at his feet, giving him thanks. And the wonderful Nicolae, not only from the bodily need and death saved those, but also for the salvation of their souls he was cared for; for, being a forerunner, he saw in the eyes of the spiritual ones the thought of sin, which distances man from God and departs from his commandments. That is why he said to the children, “Know yourselves, please, my sons, know your hearts and your thoughts direct you to the good pleasure of God, for, though we hold fast and count ourselves good by other people, but nothing can be hidden from God. Therefore, make every effort to guard the sanctity of the soul and the purity of the body, for you are a church of God, as the divine Apostle Paul speaks: “If any man shall corrupt the house of God, he will destroy God.”

Thus, reproaching those men with words of use of the soul, he released them with peace, for the happy had the habit of rebuke, as a loving father of sons, and his face was like the angel of God, shining with the divine gift. From his face came a ray of brightness, like that of Moses, and his sight brought much benefit to those who looked toward him; for if any one had been troubled with any kind of passion or sorrow of soul, only if he had looked upon the saint, he would soon find the comfort of his sorrow. Or someone was talking to him, much more for good. So not only do the believers, if one happens to hear something from the sweet and sweet tongue of honey, but also the unbelievers humble themselves and commend themselves to salvation, rejecting the wickedness of unbelief from youth and receiving in their heart the right word of truth.

The great pleasure of God has lived for many years, shining in the middle of the city of the Bridegroom with the godly adornments, as the divine Scripture says: “As a morning light through the clouds, as the full moon of its days and as the sun shining upon the Church of the God of God too high, like a lily by the springs of water and like a precious scent, well smelling to all. “

In the deep old age, being full of good days, he gave the duty of getting the human nature, hurting a little with the body, then he did his old life well. So it was with joy and psalms that he lived the old and happy life, accompanying the holy angels and welcoming him among the saints.

Beside his honest body, gathering bishops from all the cities, in a multitude without number, they honored him in the bribery church of the Metropolis of the Brides, on the sixth day of December. Then many wonders were performed by the holy relics of God’s pleasure. Because a good odor arose from his relics, with which, by anointing the sick, they acquired health. For this reason, from the edges of the earth ran the world to his grave, seeking the cure of diseases and did not lack what they were looking for, because all the incapacities were cured with that holy saint, not only the body, but also the souls, and the spirits the naughty. they were terrified, not only in life, but also after his death that he overcame those, as he now overcomes them.

Once, God-fearing men, from the mouth of the river called Tanais, hearing from the miracle and healing relics of the archer of Christ, Nicolae, who was in Mira, the city of Lycia, were advised to go to sea. , there, for worship. Filling the ship with wheat, they wanted to float. But the wicked devil, who had previously settled in the shrine of Artemis, and whom St. Nicholas had driven away, scattered the shroud, feeling that he wanted to leave the ship to the great parent, wringing himself to scatter the shroud as well as his removal from there, it was with all the might to avenge the saint.

Thus, the devil thought to prevent the men of those in the way they had planned and to deprive them of holiness, obstructing their desire. So he pretended to be a woman and was made to carry a vessel full of oil, then he said to those men: “I would like to take this to the tomb of the saint, but I am very afraid of the sea, that it is not possible for a powerless women like me and sick to the stomach, dare to travel on so much boredom. Therefore, pray that, taking this vessel, you will take it to the tomb and pour oil into the candle of the saint. ” Said the devil, he gave the vessel into the hands of those lovers of God. It was not known, however, with what kind of spell that oil was mixed, so as to injure and destroy those in the ship. But those, not knowing the craft of the crafty man, listened to his request and took the vessel with devil oil and, starting from the shore, they floated that day well. But the next day the wind started to blow from the north and floated with difficulty; so, for many days, endangering the waves, they were thinking of going back. Turning the ship, Saint Nicholas was shown to them, floating in a smaller boat and saying, “Where are you going, men? Why did you leave the path ahead and turn back? In your hand is to calm the force and make the ship the easy way, for it is devilish that bad mastery that hinders you in your journey. That not a woman gave you the vessel, but the devil himself; so throw it in the sea and you will soon have the path of good growth. “

When they heard this, the men took the boat and threw it into the depths of the sea. And as he did so, immediately there came out of it black smoke, and it was like a fire, which filled the scent with a heavy smell, and the sea opened and boiled the water from the deep, the boiling. And the drops of water were like sparks of fire, so greatly feared were those in the ship and fear. But the help shown to them, commanding them to dare and not to be afraid, soothed the sea; then the passengers, relieving them of fear, made him float safely to Lichia. Then, as soon as a cool smell came, it blew on them and they rejoiced; then they floated to the desired fortress. There, worshiping the relics of the miracle springs of the helper and defender, they thanked the Almighty God. Then, raising the prayers of the great parent, they returned to their country, telling everyone, with tears of joy, what had happened to them on the way.

Akathist to Saint Hierarch Nicholas

Beginning prayers:

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Glory to thee, our God, glory to thee.

Glory to thee, our God, glory to thee.

Glory to thee, our God, glory to thee.

O heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who art in all places and fillest all things; Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come and dwell in us and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O gracious Lord.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (Thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Kontakion 1

O champion wonderworker and splendid servant of Christ, you who pours out for all the world the most precious myrrh of mercy and who is an inexhaustible sea of miracles, we praise you with love, Saint Nicholas. Since you have boldness toward the Lord, from all dangers deliver us, so that we may cry out to you: Rejoice, Saint Nicholas, Great Wonderworker.

Ikos 1

An angel in manner, human by nature, did the Creator reveal you to be, O most blessed Saint Nicholas. Having foresight into the fruitful beauty of your soul, He taught all to cry out to you thus:

Rejoice, you who were purified from your mother’s womb.

Rejoice, you who were sanctified even out to the end. Rejoice, you who amazed your parents by your birth. Rejoice, you who manifested power of soul immediately after birth.

Rejoice, plant of the Promised Land.

Rejoice, flower of divine planting.

Rejoice, virtuous vine of Christ’s vineyard.

Rejoice, wonderworking tree of the Paradise of Jesus. Rejoice, lily of heavenly growth.

Rejoice, myrrh of the fragrance of Christ.

Rejoice, through you lamentation is banished.

Rejoice, through you rejoicing is brought to pass. Rejoice, Saint Nicholas, Great Wonderworker.

Kontakion 2

Seeing the effusion of your myrrh, our souls and bodies are enlightened. We recognize you to be a wonderful living source of unction, O divinely wise Saint Nicholas. Miracles like water pour out through the grace of God, when you mercifully fill them that faithfully cry out to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

Teaching incomprehensible knowledge about the Holy Trinity, you were with the holy fathers in Nicaea a champion of the confession of the True Faith. You confessed the Son equal of the Father, co-everlasting and co-enthroned, and you convicted the foolish Arius. Therefore the faithful have learned to sing out to you: Rejoice, sanctuary of prayer and devotion.

Rejoice, beautiful city of refuge for the faithful.

Rejoice, unfailing stronghold of the True Faith.

Rejoice, wondrous praise of the Holy T rinity.

Rejoice, you who preach the Son of equal honor with the Father.

Rejoice, you who expel the demonic Arius from the council of the saints.

Rejoice, father, you were the splendor of the fathers. Rejoice, wise goodness of all the divinely wise.

Rejoice, you who utter golden words.

Rejoice, you who guide so well your flock.

Rejoice, through you faith is strengthened.

Rejoice, through you heresy is overthrown.

Rejoice, Saint Nicholas, Great Wonderworker.

Kontakion 3

Through power given out to you from on high you wipe away every tear from the face of those in cruel suffering, God-bearing Father Nicholas. You were shown to be a feeder of the hungry, a superb pilot of those upon the high seas, and a healer of the ailing. You proved to be a helper of all that cry out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Truly, Father Nicholas, a song should be sung out to you from Heaven, and not from earth. How can mere men proclaim the greatness of your holiness? Wholly conquered by your love, we cry out to you:

Rejoice, model of lambs and shepherds.

Rejoice, holy purification of mortals.

Rejoice, container of great virtues.

Rejoice, pure and honorable abode of holiness.

Rejoice, all-luminous lamp, beloved by all.

Rejoice, light golden-rayed and blameless.

Rejoice, worthy converser with angels.

Rejoice, good guide of men.

Rejoice, treasury of spiritual fortunes.

Rejoice, seeker of those in need.

Rejoice, through you we are delivered from bodily passions.

Rejoice, through you we are filled with spiritual delights. Rejoice, Saint Nicholas, Great Wonderworker.

Kontakion 4

A storm of bewilderment confused our minds. How can we worthily hymn your wonders, O blessed Nicholas?

No one could count them, even though he had many tongues and willed to tell them. Nevertheless, we boldly sing out to God Who is wonderfully glorified in you: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

People near and far have heard of the greatness of your miracles, O Nicholas worthy of praise, for in the air with the delicate wings of grace you are accustomed to assist those in misfortune, quickly delivering all who cry out to you in this manner:

Rejoice, wonderworker in the Church of Christ.

Rejoice, servant in God’s grace.

Rejoice, dispeller of unexpected evils.

Rejoice, planter of good desires.

Rejoice, compassionate father of those in misfortune. Rejoice, dread punisher of wrongdoers.

Rejoice, abyss of miracles poured out by God.

Rejoice, tablets of the Law of Christ written by God. Rejoice, strong uplifting of the fallen.

Rejoice, support of them that stand aright.

Rejoice, through you all deception is exposed.

Rejoice, through you all truth is realized.

Rejoice, Saint Nicholas, Great Wonderworker.

Kontakion 5

You appear as a divinely moving star, guiding those who sailed upon the cruel sea who were once threatened with imminent death — if you had not come to the help of those who called upon you, O wonderworking Saint Nicholas. Having forbidden the flying demons that shamelessly wanted to sink the ship, you drove them away, and taught the faithful whom God saved through you to cry: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

The maidens, prepared for a dishonorable marriage because of their poverty, beheld your great compassion for the poor, most blessed Father Nicholas. During the night you secretly gave their aged father three bundles of gold, thereby saving him and his daughters from falling into sin. For this reason, you hear praises from all the faithful:

Rejoice, bestower of blessings upon the humble.

Rejoice, worker of miracles for the destitute.

Rejoice, consolation of those that flee to your aid. Rejoice, inexhaustible bread of the hungry.

Rejoice, God-given wealth of those living in poverty on earth.

Rejoice, speedy uplifting of paupers.

Rejoice, quick hearing of the needy.

Rejoice, acceptable care of the sorrowful.

Rejoice, blameless provider for the three maidens.

Rejoice, replenishment of their aged father.

Rejoice, fervent guardian of purity.

Rejoice, delight of all the helpless.

Rejoice, Saint Nicholas, Great Wonderworker.

Kontakion 6

The entire world proclaims you, wonderful Nicholas, as a quick intercessor in adversities. Oftentimes, preceding those that travel by land and sail upon the sea, you help them in a single hour, while at the same time keeping from evils all that cry out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

You shine as a living light, bringing deliverance out to the generals who received sentence to an unjust death and who called upon you, good shepherd Nicholas. You quickly appeared in a dream to the emperor, and terrified him and ordered him to release them unharmed. Together with them we also gratefully cry out to you:

Rejoice, you who help them that fervently call upon you.

Rejoice, you who deliver from unjust death.

Rejoice, you who preserve from false accusation. Rejoice, you who destroy the counsels of the unrighteous.

Rejoice, you who tear lies to shreds like cobwebs. Rejoice, you who gloriously exalt truth.

Rejoice, release of the innocent from their fetters. Rejoice, revival of the dead.

Rejoice, revealer of righteousness.

Rejoice, exposer of unrighteousness.

Rejoice, through you the innocent were saved from the sword.

Rejoice, through you they enjoyed the light.

Rejoice, Saint Nicholas, Great Wonderworker.

Kontakion 7

Desiring to dispel the blasphemous stench of heresy, you appear as truly fragrant and mystical myrrh, Saint Nicholas. Shepherding the people of Myra, you thereby filled the entire world with your gracious myrrh. In like manner, dispel from us the stench of abominable sin, so that we may acceptably cry out to God. Alleluia.

Ikos 7

We understand you to be a new Noah, a guide of the ark of salvation, Holy Father Nicholas who drives away the storm of all evils by your direction, and bring divine calm out to those that cry with wonder:

Rejoice, calm harbor of the storm-tossed.

Rejoice, sure preservation of those that are drowning. Rejoice, good pilot of those that sail upon the deeps. Rejoice, strong ruler of the raging of the sea.

Rejoice, guidance of those in whirlwinds.

Rejoice, warmth of those in frosts.

Rejoice, radiance dispersing the gloom of sorrow. Rejoice, light illumining all the ends of the earth.

Rejoice, you who deliver people from the abyss of sin. Rejoice, you who cast Satan into the abyss of hades.

Rejoice, through you we boldly invoke the abyss of God’s compassion.

Rejoice, through you we are rescued from the flood of wrath and we find peace with God.

Rejoice, Saint Nicholas, Great Wonderworker.

Kontakion 8

A strange wonder is the sacred Church shown to be out to those that flock to you, O glorious Nicholas. By offering in it even a small supplication, we receive healing from hopeless illnesses, if only, after God, we place our hope in you, faithfully crying aloud: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

You are truly a helper out to all, God-bearing Nicholas, and you gathered together all that flee to your aid. You are a deliverer, a nourished and a quick healer, moving all the faithful to cry out in praises such as these: Rejoice, source of all kinds of healing.

Rejoice, helper of those that undergo cruel suffering. Rejoice, dawn shining for prodigals in the night of sin. Rejoice, Heaven-sent dew for those in the heat of labors.

Rejoice, you who give prosperity out to those that need it.

Rejoice, you who prepare an abundance for those that ask.

Rejoice, you who often fulfill requests.

Rejoice, you who restore strength out to the aged and gray-headed.

Rejoice, prosecutor of many who have strayed from the True Way.

Rejoice, faithful steward of the mysteries of God. Rejoice, through you we conquer envy.

Rejoice, through you we lead a charitable life.

Rejoice, Saint Nicholas, Great Wonderworker.

Kontakion 9

Assuage all our pains, Saint Nicholas, our great intercessor — dispensing gracious healings, delighting our souls, and gladdening the hearts of all that fervently pray to you for help and cry out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

The falsely theorizing orators of the ungodly, we see, were put to shame by you, divinely wise Father Nicholas. You confuted Arius the blasphemer who divided the Godhead, and Sabellius who mingled the Persons of the Holy Trinity, but you strengthened us in our faith. Mindful of this, we reverently cry out to you in this manner:

Rejoice, proclaimer of truth and discloser of light. Rejoice, confessor of Christ before all people.

Rejoice, teacher of the Divine Commandments.

Rejoice, destroyer of impious doctrines

Rejoice, ladder set up by God, by whom we ascend to

Heaven.

Rejoice, God-given protection, by whom many are sheltered.

Rejoice, you who make wise the unwise by your sayings.

Rejoice, you who move the slothful by your example. Rejoice, inextinguishable brightness of God’s Commandments.

Rejoice, most luminous ray of the Lord’s statutes. Rejoice, through your teaching the heads of heretics are hammered.

Rejoice, through you the faithful are counted worthy of glory.

Rejoice, Saint Nicholas, Great Wonderworker.

Kontakion 10

Desiring to save your soul, you truly crucify your flesh to your spirit, Father Nicholas. By silence and by wrestling with your thoughts, you add contemplation to conquest, and by meditation you acquire perfect knowledge with which you boldly converse with God and angels, always crying: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

You are a ramp, most blessed Nicholas, out to those who praise your miracles, and out to all who have recourse out to your intercession. Free also us who are poor in virtue from pride, temptation, illness, and needs of various kinds, so that we may acceptably cry out to you:

Rejoice, you who rescue from eternal wretchedness. Rejoice, you who bestow incorruptible riches.

Rejoice, imperishable food for those that hunger after righteousness.

Rejoice, inexhaustible drink for those that thirst for life.

Rejoice, you who preserve from revolution and war. Rejoice, you who freest us from chains and imprisonment.

Rejoice, most glorious intercessor in misfortunes. Rejoice, strong guardian in temptations.

Rejoice, you who snatched many from destruction. Rejoice, you who kept countless numbers unharmed. Rejoice, through you sinners escape a frightful death. Rejoice, through you those that repent obtain eternal life.

Rejoice, Saint Nicholas, Great Wonderworker.

Kontakion 11

A song out to the Most Holy Trinity you bring, surpassing others in thought, word and deed, O most holy Nicholas. Through much searching you explain the precepts of the True Faith, guiding us to sing with faith, hope and love out to the One God in Trinity: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

We see you as a brilliant and inextinguishable ray for those in the darkness of this world, O God-chosen Father Nicholas. Therein with the immaterial and angelic lights, you speak concerning the uncreated light of the Trinity. Accordingly, you enlighten the souls of the faithful who cry out to you:

Rejoice, radiance of the Three-Sunned Light.

Rejoice, daystar of the never-setting Sun.

Rejoice, lamp kindled by the divine flame.

Rejoice, destruction of the demonic flame of impiety

Rejoice, bright preaching of the True Faith.

Rejoice, luminous radiance of the light of the Gospel. Rejoice, lightning who consumes heresy.

Rejoice, thunder who terrifies tempters.

Rejoice, by your teachings we gain true knowledge. Rejoice, by your deeds we acquire understanding. Rejoice, through you the worship of creatures hath been abolished.

Rejoice, through you we have learnt to worship the Creator in the Trinity.

Rejoice, Saint Nicholas, Great Wonderworker.

Kontakion 12

Knowing the grace that has been given out to you by God, dutifully and joyfully we celebrate your memory, O divinely wise Father Nicholas, and with all fervor we pray for your wonderful intercession. Unable to count your glorious deeds which are like the sands of the seashore and the multitude of the stars, and being at a loss to understand, we truly cry out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

While singing of your wonders, we praise you, O all- praised Nicholas, for in you God Who is glorified in the Trinity is wondrously glorified. Yes, even if we were to offer you a multitude of hymns composed from the soul, holy wonderworker, we could do nothing to equal the gift of your miracles, and amazed by them we cry out to you thus:

Rejoice, servant of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Rejoice, co-dweller with His heavenly servants.

Rejoice, patron of devout rulers.

Rejoice, praise of pious Christians.

Rejoice, namesake of victory.

Rejoice, triumphant follower of the True Way.

Rejoice, mirror of all the virtues.

Rejoice, attentive helper of all who confide in you. Rejoice, after God and the Theotokos, all our hope. Rejoice, health of our bodies and salvation of our souls. Rejoice, through you we are delivered from eternal death.

Rejoice, through you we are deemed worthy of everlasting life.

Rejoice, Saint Nicholas, Great Wonderworker.

Kontakion 13

Most holy and wonderful Father Nicholas, consolation of all who sorrow, accept our present offering. Entreat the Lord that we be delivered from Gehenna through your God-pleasing intercession, so that with you we may sing: Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

(Repeat Kontakion 13 three times.)

Kontakion 1 (repeated)

O champion wonderworker and splendid servant of Christ, you who pours out for all the world the most precious myrrh of mercy and who is an inexhaustible sea of miracles, we praise you with love, Saint Nicholas. Since you are bold toward the Lord, from all dangers deliver us, so that we may cry out to you:

Rejoice, Saint Nicholas, Great Wonderworker.

Ikos 1 (repeated)

An angel in manner, though human by nature, the Creator revealed you to be, O most blessed Saint Nicholas. Having foresight into the fruitful beauty of your soul, He taught all to cry out to you:

Rejoice, you who were purified from your mother’s womb.

Rejoice, you who were sanctified even out to the end. Rejoice, you who amazed your parents by your birth. Rejoice, you who manifest power of soul straightway after birth.

Rejoice, plant of the Promised Land.

Rejoice, flower of divine planting.

Rejoice, virtuous vine of Christ’s vineyard.

Rejoice, wonderworking tree of the Paradise of Jesus. Rejoice, lily of heavenly growth.

Rejoice, myrrh of the fragrance of Christ.

Rejoice, through you lamentation is banished.

Rejoice, through you rejoicing is brought to pass. Rejoice, Saint Nicholas, Great Wonderworker.

A Prayer

Saint Nicholas, you are a wondrous helper of all unfortunate people – the poor and the sorrowful, the young and the old, the fallen and the dispossessed, those who journey afar and those who are homebound with illnesses. Count us among the multitudes which entreat your compassion, and nurture us with the bread of your mercy. Though we are many, you know the very heart of each one of us and you know our needs.

Deliver us, Saint Nicholas, from all things that lead out to death, and bless us with all things that please God. Since you are a tireless worker of wonders, teach us to be repentant prodigals and fruitful vines for Christ our Lord and Master. We thank you for your bountiful nourishment and provision. Amen.