Today is the Feast of St. Nicholas.
Though the good man died on December 6, 343, he is remembered with adoration to
this day. He is the patron saint of children, coopers, sailors, fishermen, merchants, broadcasters, the falsely accused, repentant thieves, pharmacists, archers, and pawnbrokers. He is a particular favorite of children, and of seamen as well.
Nikolaos of Myra was well-known for
his generosity. He was known to leave coins in the shoes which were set without
the door. He gave life-changing gifts to those in need; but he devised to give
them anonymously so that the recipient would not be embarrassed as though
objects of charity.
A case in point concerns the poor
father of three daughters who had no means for their dowries. Thus, absent
marriage, the women would be reduced to prostitution as means of support.
Nikolaos devised a plan whereby he delivered a bag of gold for each of the
daughters. Stories vary as to detail, but the one I favor is this. On the
night before the birthday of each daughter on which she would reach her
majority, the good man came by and tossed a bag of gold through the window opening of the
house. After the second bag had been so delivered, the father planned to discover his benefactor by lying in wait for him; but Nikolaos, wise to the scheme,
came around the back way and dropped the bag down the chimney. The daughter
having washed her hosiery, had hung the stockings by the fireplace, and of
course the gift landed in a stocking.
It is true to this day that small
gifts often find their way into a stocking which is hung by a fireplace.
Nikolaos was also known as Nikolaos
the Wonder Worker, not only because of the largess he displayed, but he
was believed as well to have resurrected certain murdered individuals through
intercessory prayer.
Truly the story of the works of this
individual even to this day is much too long to tell in this space. But think
on occasion about Sinter Klaas, or St. Nicholas.
9 comments:
Wow- I did not realize his legacy encompassed so much. His heart was truly in the right place. You have piqued my interest and later this evening I am going to read more on this good man.
You can call his a life that makes a difference. I had no idea.
I am in the same boat with Chuck and Shelly. I knew a little but had no idea the complete extent of his generosity.
By the way, I still believe in Santa and always will!!:-)))))
Shelly, I am not into the veneration of saints, but I have great respect for persons such as Nikolaos who treat people with love and kindness.
Chuck, I think it is fun to chase down stories about people that are widely known, but not well known.
Jackie, I tremble at the very thought of suspending belief! (There'd be coal in the stocking, for sure.)
I would like to read a bio of him. I've heard some of the legends, but never followed up with any attempt at reality.
Shark, I am not aware of a biography devoted to him, but there are profiles in several books about saints and people of faith.
He,he,he....You would not get coal. Now I might get a bag of switches..lol!!
I came to ask you a question. I apologize for being so late and I hope I hear back.
I think I already know the answer but are you writing about Pearl Harbor tomorrow?
If so I would like to add a link to your in my post. You do such an incredible job with history.
Would that be okay with you?
Thanks either way!! I'll check back in a while.
Jackie, I am posting about Pearl Harbor. It is not history so much as it is my appeal to keep the memory alive. It is short. You may link. Thanks!
Thank you. I debated all day to post or not to post. But, our son-in-law, grandson and nephew are all military.
So I am posting. It's always so difficult to do a post about any war.
Thanks again!!
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