St. Nicolas day
St. Nicholas Day is celebrated Orthodox inwinter and spring. In this Christian holiday, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is worshiped. Catholics celebrate on December 19 according to the Julian calendar, and the Orthodox celebrate on December 6 and May 22 on the Gregorian calendar. For the entire Orthodox world, St. Nicholas Day is one of the most revered holidays. He is famous and very loved by the people. The name of Nicholas the Wonderworker is associated with the patronage of ordinary people, the poor and all seafarers. He is called an angel-keeper.
St. Nicholas - a holiday that has its owntraditions. In its roots lies the life story of a real person. He lived in the distant III century and became famous for all time by his all-embracing kindness to people.
The parents of St. Nicholas were prosperous, withthis noble and pious Christians, but they could not have had children for a long time and often prayed to the Most High. Their prayer was heard, and God gave them a son, whom they promised to raise so that he consecrated his life in the future to serve God. He received the name of Nicholas at baptism, from the Greek language meaning "the conquering people".
Since childhood in this family, the child has been taught to believe, andNikolai from his infancy showed his special purpose for serving God. Possessing rich talents, the child comprehended the book wisdom. He differed from his contemporaries in chastity, avoiding sinful and vain entertainment, as well as unclean thoughts.
After a time, matured, he took the dignitypriest, and later Nicholas became the archbishop. He showed a rare gift of miracles and deep insight. He was kind in heart, gentle and humble in spirit. Despite his dignity, he wore simple clothes, was alien to self-interest and arrogance, he observed strict simplicity and moderation.
Times of terrible Christian persecution did not passwithout a trace. Along with other believers, Nicholas was imprisoned, subjected to terrible physical torture. Despite the hard trials, faith in God remained with him and helped support other prisoners. When the emperor Constantine ascended the throne, Nikolai had his own flock, whom he began to rule.
During his lifetime Nicholas the Miracle-Maker became famousdefender of all innocently convicted, a pacifier of warring and deliverer from vain death. He remained so after death. His relics now exude the fragrant mira, which is capable of miracles. Today many people are familiar with icons that have created more than a dozen miracles.
On St. Nicholas Day, the service is served by the saint. It was compiled in 1097 by the Orthodox monk Gregory and Metropolitan Ephraim. After his canonization in many homes pray to St. Nicholas in joy and in sorrow.
Celebrating St. Nicholas Day, kids each yearreceive gifts. On the eve of the holiday children's shoes are put out for the threshold or the socks are suspended near the fireplace. This tradition has existed since time immemorial. There, on the St. Nicholas Day, the miracle worker is given presents to the babies. It is believed that they receive only obedient children. For naughty babies are provided rods. St. Nicholas is a holiday, which children are waiting for, they try to behave themselves about something and do not play pranks in order to deservedly receive the gifts due.
In many countries it is accepted that to the kidsSt. Nicholas comes accompanied by two angels and devils. The first talk about the good deeds committed by children, the second whisper about the faults. Always wins good, and on St. Nicholas' Day the children of the miracle worker never remain without their gifts.
On the example of this holiday you can learn to love people, do good and pass it on to your children. This unshakable tradition is alive, and as long as there is a people and a family, it will remain unchanged.
