Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker is one of the most revered in the religious world and is considered the patron saint of sailors, prisoners, orphans, and travelers. Thousands of people around the world turn to him with prayers every day, and many of them provide evidence of how Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker helped them solve the most difficult problems in life. On the saint's day, in the RIA Novosti article, we examine what is unique about his life and in what cases one should turn to the Wonderworker with prayer.
The surviving data on Nicholas of Myra say that the future archbishop was born in the 3rd century in the Greek colony of Patara. Little is known about his parents: they were wealthy Christians, but they could not conceive a child for a long time, devoted much time to prayer, and eventually, in their declining years, a long-awaited boy was born, to georgia mobile database whom they managed to give a basic education. Nicholas the Wonderworker was very religious from an early age and devoted himself to serving God. According to legend, at the time of baptism, he, being very young, was already standing on his feet, and drank his mother's milk only twice a week, thereby observing the fast. The Wonderworker also had a church-going uncle - Nicholas of Patara, Bishop of Patara. He noticed the boy's zeal for service and made him a reader at the church, and then elevated him to the clergy. Thus, Nicholas became the Bishop of Myra, from which came his nickname of Myra.
After the death of his parents, the young man gave away all the inheritance he had received from them to those in need, and he himself led an ascetic and godly life. He preferred simple food and clothing, did not disdain physical labor, and helped those who were in trouble.
The legend says that during that period, Emperor Diocletian was in power, who established a government in Lycia that included persecution of Christians. Nicholas the Wonderworker, along with other laymen, was imprisoned, where he encouraged the believers and convinced them to steadfastly endure the suffering and hardships that befell them. Then Constantine I came to power and freed all those unjustly convicted, and also granted freedom of religion.
During his time in prison, Nicholas of Myra became even more convinced of his faith and, upon returning from captivity, continued to preach.
Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker lived a fairly long life - about 80 years. After his death, his remains, which immediately began to stream myrrh, were buried in Lycia, and from there they were later taken to the Italian city of Bari. Part of the relics are in Venice, on the island of Lido, in the church of the same name.
Who does the prayer addressed to St. Nicholas help? The answer to this question can be found in his life. In addition, there are also numerous testimonies of miracles from contemporaries.