Saint Nicholas Day
Church holiday december 6 / © Pixabay
Today, December 6, the Orthodox calendar remembers Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in lycia. Nicholas was born around 270 in the city of Patara in modern-day Turkey (Lycia province) to a religious family.His parents, Theophanes and Nika, were wealthy and Christian; they raised nicholas to be devout and kind. After his parents died when he was young, he inherited their wealth and gave it away to those in need.
Nicholas showed a strong spiritual side and a desire to serve God from an early age. He became a priest and later the archbishop of Myra in Lycia (now demre, Türkiye). He was known for his wisdom, simple lifestyle, and love for people.
the story goes that he secretly threw gold coins to a poor man so his three daughters could marry and avoid being sold into slavery.This story started the tradition of giving gifts in his name.
In 325, Nicholas attended the First Council of nicaea, wich worked to establish a unified Christian faith.