St. Nicholas Protector St. Nicholas Protector and helper of the needy. The following accounts of St. Nicholas help us to understand his extraordinary character and why he is so loved and revered as protector and helper of those in need
- St. Nicholas giving dowry to a poor man with three daughters In those days a young woman’s father had to offer prospective husbands something of value—a dowry. The larger the dowry, the better the chance that a young woman would find a good husband. Without a dowry, a woman was unlikely to marry. This poor man’s daughters, without dowries, were therefore destined to be sold into slavery. Hence on three different occasions, Nicholas tossed stockings filled with gold in their home, providing the needed dowries. That is why three gold balls, sometimes represented as oranges, are one of the symbols for St. Nicholas the gift-giver! The stockings filled with gold, tossed through the open window, led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas on Christmas eve.
- St. Nicholas the protector of children This event took place long after his death. The people of Myra were celebrating on the eve of his feast day when a band of Arab pirates from Crete came into the district. They stole treasures from the Church of Saint Nicholas to take away as booty. As they were leaving town, they snatched a young boy, Basilios, to make into a slave. The emir, or ruler, selected Basilios to be his personal cupbearer, as not knowing the language, Basilios would not understand what the king said to those around him. So, for the next year Basilios waited on the king, bringing his wine in a beautiful golden cup. For Basilios’ parents, devastated at the loss of their only child, the year passed slowly, filled with grief. As the next St. Nicholas’ feast day approached, Basilios’ mother would not join in the festivity, as it was now a day of tragedy. However, she was persuaded to have a simple observance at home—with quiet prayers for Basilios’ safekeeping. Meanwhile, as Basilios was fulfilling his tasks serving the emir, he was suddenly whisked up and away. St. Nicholas appeared to the terrified boy, blessed him, and set him down at his home back in Myra. Imagine the joy and wonderment when Basilios amazingly appeared before his parents, still holding the king’s golden cup. This miracle of St. Nicholas protecting children became his primary role in the West.
(Today parents should pray to St. Nicholas for protection of their children from all wickedness)
- His zeal for justice is legendary When the governor Eustace had been bribed to condemn three innocent men, Nicholas appeared in the moment of the execution, stopped the executioner and set the prisoners free. Eustace scolded him, until he later recognized his crime and repented. On this occasion there were three officials present who, when later themselves in danger of death, prayed to Saint Nicholas. That same night the saint appeared to Emperor Constantine and ordered him to set free those three men. Emperor Constantine interrogated the three and, upon realizing that it was because they had invoked Saint Nicholas, Emperor Constantine freed and sent them to the holy bishop with a letter in which he asked him to pray for peace in the world. For a long time this was the most famous miracle of Saint Nicholas, and practically well known in the time of Saint Methodius, who died in 847 A.D.
Neville Fernandes
(Source: Internet)