*** Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, wonderworker (c. 345).
Saint Maximus, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Rus' (1305). Martyr Nicholas Karaman (1657).

Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra of Lycia, wonderworker

On December 19, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Saint Nicholas is considered the patron saint of travelers and sailors. And he is one of the most revered saints in the entire Orthodox world.

Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra of Lycia, wonderworker, became famous as a great saint of God. He was born in the city of Patara, Lycian region (in south coast Asia Minor Peninsula), was the only son of pious parents Theophanes and Nonna, who vowed to dedicate him to God. The fruit of long prayers to the Lord of childless parents, the baby Nicholas from the day of his birth showed people the light of his future glory as a great wonderworker. His mother, Nonna, was immediately healed of her illness after giving birth. The newborn baby, still in the baptismal font, stood on his feet for three hours, unsupported by anyone, giving honor to Holy Trinity. Saint Nicholas in infancy began a life of fasting, took his mother’s milk on Wednesdays and Fridays, only once, after evening prayers parents.
From childhood, Nikolai excelled in the study of Divine Scripture; During the day he did not leave the temple, and at night he prayed and read books, creating within himself a worthy dwelling of the Holy Spirit. His uncle, Bishop Nicholas of Patara, rejoicing at the spiritual success and high piety of his nephew, made him a reader, and then elevated Nicholas to the rank of priest, making him his assistant and instructing him to speak instructions to the flock. While serving the Lord, the young man was burning in spirit, and in his experience in matters of faith he was like an old man, which aroused the surprise and deep respect of the believers. Constantly working and vigilant, being in unceasing prayer, Presbyter Nicholas showed great mercy to his flock, coming to the aid of the suffering, and distributed all his property to the poor. Having learned about the bitter need and poverty of one previously rich resident of his city, Saint Nicholas saved him from great sin. Having three adult daughters, the desperate father planned to give them over to fornication to save them from hunger. The saint, grieving for the dying sinner, secretly threw three bags of gold out his window at night and thereby saved the family from fall and spiritual death. When giving alms, Saint Nicholas always tried to do it secretly and hide his good deeds.
Going to worship the holy places in Jerusalem, the Bishop of Patara entrusted the management of the flock to Saint Nicholas, who carried out obedience with care and love. When the bishop returned, he, in turn, asked for a blessing to travel to the Holy Land. On the way, the saint predicted an approaching storm that threatened to sink the ship, for he saw the devil himself entering the ship. At the request of desperate travelers, he pacified the sea waves with his prayer. Through his prayer, one ship's sailor, who fell from the mast and fell to his death, was restored to health.
Having reached ancient city Jerusalem, Saint Nicholas, having ascended to Golgotha, thanked the Savior of the human race and walked around all the holy places, worshiping and praying. At night on Mount Zion, the locked doors of the church opened by themselves in front of the great pilgrim who came. Walking around the shrines associated with earthly service The Son of God, Saint Nicholas decided to retire into the desert, but was stopped by the Divine voice, exhorting him to return to his homeland. Returning to Lycia, the saint, striving for a silent life, entered the brotherhood of the monastery called Holy Zion. However, the Lord again announced a different path awaiting him: “Nicholas, this is not the field in which you should bear the fruit I expect; but turn and go into the world, and may My Name be glorified in you.” In a vision, the Lord gave him the Gospel in an expensive package, and Holy Mother of God- omophorion.
And indeed, after the death of Archbishop John, he was elected Bishop of Myra in Lycia after one of the bishops of the Council, which was deciding the issue of electing a new archbishop, was shown in a vision the chosen one of God - Saint Nicholas. Called to shepherd the Church of God in the rank of bishop, Saint Nicholas remained the same great ascetic, showing to his flock the image of meekness, gentleness and love for people. This was especially dear to the Lycian Church during the persecution of Christians under the emperor Diocletian (284 - 305). Bishop Nicholas, imprisoned along with other Christians, supported them and exhorted them to firmly endure the bonds, torture and torment. The Lord preserved him unharmed. Upon the accession of Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine, Saint Nicholas was returned to his flock, who joyfully met their mentor and intercessor. Despite his great meekness of spirit and purity of heart, Saint Nicholas was a zealous and daring warrior of the Church of Christ. Fighting against the spirits of evil, the saint went around pagan temples and temples in the city of Myra itself and its environs, crushing idols and turning the temples to dust. In 325 Saint Nicholas was a participant in I Ecumenical Council, who accepted the Nicene Creed, and took up arms with Saints Sylvester, Pope of Rome, Alexander of Alexandria, Spyridon of Trimythus and others from the 318 holy fathers of the Council against the heretic Arius.
In the heat of denunciation, Saint Nicholas, burning with zeal for the Lord, even strangled the false teacher, for which he was deprived of his holy omophorion and put into custody. However, it was revealed to several holy fathers in a vision that the Lord Himself and the Mother of God ordained the saint as a bishop, giving him the Gospel and an omophorion. The Fathers of the Council, realizing that the boldness of the saint was pleasing to God, glorified the Lord, and restored His holy saint to the rank of hierarch. Returning to his diocese, the saint brought her peace and blessing, sowing the word of Truth, cutting off at the very root wrong-thinking and vain wisdom, denouncing inveterate heretics and healing those who had fallen and deviated through ignorance. He was truly the light of the world and the salt of the earth, for his life was light and his word was dissolved in the salt of wisdom. During his lifetime the saint performed many miracles. Of these, the greatest glory was brought to the saint by his deliverance from the death of three men, unjustly condemned by the self-interested mayor. The saint boldly approached the executioner and held his sword, which was already raised above the heads of the condemned. The mayor, convicted by Saint Nicholas of untruth, repented and asked him for forgiveness. Three military leaders sent by Emperor Constantine to Phrygia were present. They did not yet suspect that they would soon also have to seek the intercession of St. Nicholas, since they had been undeservedly slandered before the emperor and doomed to death. Appearing in a dream to Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine, Saint Nicholas called on him to release the military leaders unjustly condemned to death, who, while in prison, prayerfully called on the saint for help. He performed many other miracles, long years striving in his ministry. Through the prayers of the saint, the city of Myra was saved from severe famine. Appearing in a dream to an Italian merchant and leaving him three gold coins as a pledge, which he found in his hand, waking up the next morning, he asked him to sail to Myra and sell grain there. More than once the saint saved those drowning in the sea, and brought them out of captivity and imprisonment in dungeons.
Having reached a very old age, Saint Nicholas peacefully departed to the Lord (+ 345 - 351). His venerable relics were kept incorrupt in the local cathedral church and exuded healing myrrh, from which many received healings. In 1087, his relics were transferred to the Italian city of Bar, where they rest to this day (May 9).
The name of the great saint of God, Saint and Wonderworker Nicholas, a quick helper and man of prayer for all who flock to him, has become glorified in all corners of the earth, in many countries and peoples. In Rus', many cathedrals, monasteries and churches are dedicated to his holy name. There is, perhaps, not a single city without St. Nicholas Church. In the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker he was baptized by the holy Patriarch Photius in 866 Prince of Kyiv Askold, the first Russian Christian prince (+ 882). Above the grave of Askold is a saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga(July 11) erected the first church of St. Nicholas in the Russian Church in Kyiv. The main cathedrals were dedicated to St. Nicholas in Izborsk, Ostrov, Mozhaisk, Zaraysk. In Novgorod the Great, one of the main churches of the city is the St. Nicholas Church (XII), which later became a cathedral. There are famous and revered St. Nicholas churches and monasteries in Kyiv, Smolensk, Pskov, Toropets, Galich, Arkhangelsk, Veliky Ustyug, and Tobolsk. Moscow was famous for several dozen churches dedicated to the saint; three Nikolsky monasteries were located in the Moscow diocese: Nikolo-Grechesky (Old) - in Kitai-Gorod, Nikolo-Perervinsky and Nikolo-Ugreshsky. One of the main towers of the Moscow Kremlin is called Nikolskaya. Most often, churches to the saint were erected in trading areas by Russian merchants, sailors and explorers, who revered the wonderworker Nicholas as the patron saint of all travelers on land and sea. Sometimes they were popularly called “Nikola the Wet”. Many rural churches in Rus' are dedicated to the wonderworker Nicholas, the merciful representative before the Lord of all people in their labors, sacredly revered by the peasants. And Saint Nicholas does not abandon the Russian land with his intercession. Ancient Kyiv preserves the memory of the miracle of the saint’s rescue of a drowned baby. Great miracle worker, having heard the mournful prayers of the parents who had lost their only heir, at night he took the baby out of the water, revived him and laid him on the choir of the Church of St. Sophia in front of his miraculously. Here the rescued baby was found in the morning by happy parents, who glorified St. Nicholas the Wonderworker with the multitude of people.
A lot of miraculous icons Saint Nicholas appeared in Russia and came from other countries. This is an ancient Byzantine half-length image of the saint (XII), brought to Moscow from Novgorod, and a huge icon painted in the 13th century by a Novgorod master. Two images of the wonderworker are especially common in the Russian Church: St. Nicholas of Zaraisk - full-length, with a blessing right hand and the Gospel (this image was brought to Ryazan in 1225 Byzantine princess Eupraxia, who became the wife of the Ryazan prince Theodore and died in 1237 with her husband and infant son during the invasion of Batu), and St. Nicholas of Mozhaisk - also in height, with a sword in right hand and the city on the left - in memory of the miraculous salvation, through the prayers of the saint, of the city of Mozhaisk from an enemy attack. It's impossible to list everything blessed icons Saint Nicholas. Every Russian city, every temple is blessed with such an icon through the prayers of the saint.

Saint Nicholas became famous as a great saint of God, which is why people usually call him Nicholas the Pleasant. Saint Nicholas was considered “the representative and intercessor of all, the comforter of all the sorrowful, the refuge of all those in trouble, the pillar of piety, the champion of the faithful.” Saint Nicholas is also known as the defender of the slandered, often saving them from the fate of those innocently condemned. He also became famous for his prayers for sailors and other travelers. Christians believe that even today he performs many miracles to help people who pray to him.

19.12.2018

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December 19, 2018 marks an important church holiday - St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Day. Orthodox Christians on this day honor the memory of St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Wonderworker.

People call this holiday Nikola Winter. For a long time, it has been very popular among people; many families treat it with love and respect.

The holiday, celebrated on December 19, 2018, is dedicated to St. Nicholas. He is known for his miraculous deeds as well as his selfless service to the Lord God. As the story goes, from an early age Nikolai studied the Scriptures. In his youth he received holy orders and became a preacher. Nicholas inherited considerable wealth from his parents, which he used for missionary work.

Many miracles are attributed to Saint Nicholas. For example, there was a case when, during a journey, he was able to resurrect a sailor who had received a fatal injury. Since then, he began to be considered the protector of travelers. Saint Nicholas is also considered the patron saint of children and people involved in trade.

And one day Nikolai decided to help girls who did not have a dowry. He would quietly sneak into houses and leave a wallet with money there. On one of these visits, he secretly decided to throw coins down the chimney. These coins did not burn, but ended up in the girl’s sock, which was drying next to the fireplace. This is where the legend of Santa Claus originated.

The date of the death of the associate began to be called the Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

There was a period when the holiday was forgotten. This happened during Soviet power. The traditions of this day were eradicated in every possible way, and adherents were subjected to ridicule from the public. However, after the collapse of the USSR, the custom of celebrating the Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was revived. And today this holiday is very popular.

The Orthodox, of course, celebrate the Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in churches, where festive services are held every year on December 19. After going to the temple, it is customary to gather for a family dinner. The dishes on the table must be lean, since the holiday is celebrated during the Nativity Fast.

The Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker on December 19, 2018 is not only an important church holiday, but it is also loved and popular among the people. This day is popularly known as Nikola Winter. Also in some regions this holiday is called Nikolin's day or Nikolshchina.

Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker or St. Nicholas the Winter December 19, 2018 is shining example when church and folk traditions and customs of celebration. On this day, young girls like to tell fortunes about their betrothed, although the church does not approve of this kind of hobby. On the night of December 19, parents put small gifts under their children’s pillows - sweets, fruits, toys.

In the villages on St. Nicholas of the Winter, it is customary to organize folk festivals on December 19th. Young people ride sleighs, sing songs, dance in circles, children play snowballs.

As a rule, from St. Nicholas Day in many families it is customary to begin preparing for the New Year. People clean up their homes, buy groceries for New Year's table, preparing gifts for family and friends.

Like anyone folk holiday, Nikola Zimny ​​December 19, 2018 is not deprived folk signs and believe. The most important belief that people want to believe in is that a wish made on this holiday will certainly come true.

There is also a sign that on this holiday you cannot do anything for yourself, but exclusively for other people, especially those in need.

People say that it is imperative to pay off all existing debts before December 19, otherwise the entire next a year will pass in need.

If it snows on St. Nicholas of the Winter on December 19, then next year wheat will be born. And if it rains on this day, there will be a rich harvest of cucumbers and cabbage.

If it is cold on St. Nicholas Day, December 19, 2018, then it will be the same all winter. If the day on this holiday turns out to be warm, then the winter will be clear, without severe frosts.

The Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker December 19, 2018 is a bright and kind winter holiday. Popular belief says that on this festive night Nicholas the Wonderworker himself descends from Heaven to Earth to help people in need. Therefore, we need, at least on this bright day, to become a little kinder, look around and do a small but good deed.

From the history

The life of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is not at all shrouded in legends. The saint is real historical figure. He was born in 270 AD. e. from very pious and wealthy spouses: Feofan and Nonna. His parents did not have children for a long time, and they constantly prayed for the gift of a child. When a baby appeared in the family, they promised God that Nicholas’s life would be devoted to worship, faith and religion.

As his life says, from childhood the saint completely devoted himself to the faith and spent a lot of time in church. Having matured, he became a reader, and then a priest in the church, where his uncle, Bishop Nicholas of Patarsky, served as rector.

After the death of his parents, Nicholas the Wonderworker distributed all his inheritance to the poor and continued his church service. In the years when the attitude of the Roman emperors towards Christians became more tolerant, but persecution nevertheless continued, he ascended the episcopal throne in Myra. Now this town is called Demre, it is located in the province of Antalya in Turkey.

People loved the new archbishop very much: he was kind, meek, fair, sympathetic - not a single request to him went unanswered. With all this, Nicholas was remembered by his contemporaries as an irreconcilable fighter against paganism - he destroyed idols and temples, and a defender of Christianity - he denounced heretics.

During his lifetime, the saint became famous for many miracles. He saved the city of Myra from a terrible famine with his fervent prayer to Christ. He prayed and thereby helped drowning sailors on ships, and brought unjustly convicted people out of captivity in prisons.

Nikolai Ugodnik lived to a ripe old age and died around 345-351 - exact date unknown.

What can you eat on the Day of Remembrance of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker?

December 19, according to the new style, falls on the Rozhdestvensky, or Filippov, as it is also called, fast. On this day you can eat fish, but you cannot eat meat, eggs and other animal products.

Santa Claus

In Western Christianity, the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was combined with the image of a folklore character - “Christmas grandfather” - and transformed into Santa Claus ( Santa Claus translated from English - St Nicholas). Santa Claus gives children gifts on St. Nicholas Day, but more often on Christmas Day.

It is believed that the origins of the tradition of giving gifts on behalf of Santa Claus are the stories of the miracles performed by St. Nicholas the Pleasant.

Nikola Winter, Nikola Autumn, Nikola Veshny, “Nikola Wet”

On December 19 and August 11, according to the new style, Orthodox Christians remember, respectively, the death and birth of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. According to the time of year, these holidays received popular names- Nikola Winter and Nikola Autumn.

St. Nicholas of the Spring (that is, spring), or St. Nicholas of the Summer, was the name given to the feast of the transfer of the relics of Saint and Wonderworker Nicholas from Myra in Lycia to Bari, which is celebrated on May 22 in the new style.

According to legend, in May the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is celebrated after such events. One day a simple man was driving along a country road and his cart got stuck in the mud. The cart was very heavy: the peasant could not pull it out alone. Just at this time the saints were coming to God. One of them, Kasyan, passed by a man with a cart. Then the peasant begged for help. Kasyan was offended that he was bothered over such a trifle. In clean beautiful clothes he passed by the peasant. Then St. appeared near the cart. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The man also asked him for help. The saint helped the peasant without hesitation. Together they pulled the cart out of the mud. But Nikolai got all dirty. All the saints gathered with God. He began to ask them: why was Nikolai so late, because of which all his clothes were smeared in mud? Then Nicholas the Wonderworker told what story happened to him along the way. God then asked Kasyan why he didn’t help the man and walked past him? He replied that he could not be late for the meeting with God and come in dirty clothes. The Almighty then said that people would celebrate the feast of St. Kasyan only once every 4 years - on February 29. At the same time, St. Nicholas Day will be celebrated twice a year - in May and December. After all, he helps without hesitation ordinary people, let them honor and glorify him.

The phrase “Nicholas the Wet” comes from the fact that this saint in all centuries was considered the patron saint of sailors and all travelers in general. When the temple in the name of St. Nicholas the Pleasant was built by sailors (often in gratitude for the miraculous salvation on the waters), it was popularly called St. Nicholas the Wet.

Signs and beliefs of the winter day of St. Nicholas

The signs were known to our ancestors: after the day of Nicholas in winter time girls and boys began to prepare for the festivities and sewed costumes for carols. There is a belief that the first severe frosts begin on December 19th.

If before the day of winter Nicholas the roads are completely covered with snow, then the winter will be frosty and snowy.

A lot of frost foreshadowed a good fruitful summer and autumn.

If frost appears, then next year a rich harvest of oats is expected.

If the day is frosty and sunny, then there will be a good harvest.

As much snow falls on Nikolai, there will be as much grass in the spring.

If the winter before December 19 was harsh, then from this day a thaw will begin, which will last until the solstice of Spiridon (December 25).

The day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, December 19, was considered the last day when it was necessary to pay off all one’s debts. In addition, it was considered the beginning of grain trading.

Every year, residents of Russia celebrate December 19th big celebration- Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. It was not left unattended in 2018 either. People traditionally attend church, where they pray to the saint and give thanks for everything.

Nicholas was born in the 3rd century in the Greek colony of Lycia in Asia Minor into a Christian family. The boy attended church from childhood, and as he grew up, he decided to devote himself entirely to the faith, becoming a priest. He distributed the rich inheritance of his parents to the poor.

Over time, Nicholas was ordained as an archbishop in the city of Myra (now the territory of Turkish Antalya) and became famous as a zealous fighter against paganism and various heresies, as well as as a miracle worker and defender of the slandered and innocently condemned.

Among the miracles performed by the saint during his lifetime are the salvation of the world from a terrible famine, as well as the resurrection of a sailor during a storm.

Saint Nicholas (as high church hierarchs are called) lived to a ripe old age. Immediately after his death, his body began to flow myrrh, and believers flocked to them for relief from illnesses and sorrows. The saint’s relics were first kept in Myra, where he served as archbishop, and already in the 11th century they were transferred to the city of Bari, in Italy. Some of them are still there.

Traditions of the feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker on December 19

In honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Princess Olga erected the first Christian church on Kyiv soil. Since then, many churches dedicated to him have been built in Rus' and monasteries have been founded - more than to any other saint in general. Even one of the towers of the Moscow Kremlin is named Nikolskaya.

They tried to celebrate St. Nicholas of the Winter on December 19 solemnly. According to legend, on this day the saint walked around the earth from end to end, driving away evil spirits from the world of people.

In some regions, in honor of his memory, fraternities (“Nikolshchiny”) were organized: after the service, a large meal was collected for the entire village. To do this, as a rule, they slaughtered a bull bought with common money or raised by all the villagers.

On the day of St. Nicholas, it was also customary to conclude various business transactions and agreements. The prices established at that time were considered inviolable, because “Nikolsky’s bargaining is a decree for everything.” Also on Nikola they sold excess bread, and in some areas they began matchmaking.

This is a special day for children, since it was on this holiday that parents hid gifts in the house, supposedly from St. Nicholas. Naturally for good behavior. Various fairs were often opened in cities. At the same time, it was believed that all transactions and agreements concluded on this day could not be dishonest, since deceivers, it was believed, would definitely be punished and exposed by Saint Nicholas.

The girls had already begun intensive preparations for Christmastide. After all, it was necessary to come up with an outfit and sew it, remember all the fortune-telling and learn new ones. In addition, unmarried girls were required to visit the temple to pray for future marriage.

Signs and sayings for the feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker on December 19

If the day on Nikola is cold and clear, it will be a fruitful year.

If there is snow on Nikolai, there will be a quick thaw. Well, if it’s a warm day, expect severe frosts.”

If winter covers its tracks before Nikolin's day, the road will not stand.

There is frost in front of Nikola - the oats will be good. Frost on Nikola - for the harvest.

If there is frost before winter Mikola, then barley must be sown earlier, if after Mikola - later.

What a day in Mikola Winter, the same in Mikola Summer.

Two Nikolas: one herbal, the other frosty; one with grass, the other with winter.

St. Nicholas the saint descends from the heavenly fields onto the snow-covered earth and walks across the face of the Russian Land, walking around it - as usual (in one day) - from end to end. And ahead of time, all the spirits of darkness run away from him.

They say that winter comes to Nikola with a nail; chimney sang and hummed - winter patches the roofs with icy tar, wraps them in snow more densely.

We brought winter on a sleigh to Nikola, and here is the thaw you've been waiting for. This sign reveals one of the customs of our ancestors. According to tradition, it was necessary to go around the entire village on a sleigh and call for winter, and they also asked Nicholas to live this season in abundance and without problems and losses.

Bread prices are determined by Nikolsky Bargain.

Prayer for the feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker on December 19

Oh, all-holy Nicholas, exceedingly saintly servant of the Lord, our warm intercessor, and everywhere in sorrow a quick helper! Help me, a sinner and sad person in this present life, beg the Lord God to grant me forgiveness of all my sins, which I have sinned greatly from my youth, in all my life, in deed, word, thought and all my feelings; and at the end of my soul, help me the accursed, beg the Lord God, the Creator of all creation, to deliver me from airy ordeals and eternal torment: may I always glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and your merciful intercession, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

We can say that St. Nicholas Day is the last big holiday of the outgoing year. It is celebrated exactly one month before Epiphany. People have always believed that a full year is “lived” in 12 months. life cycle- is born in January, grows, matures and ages, and by the time winter solstice dies.

On December 19, the folk Christian holiday of St. Nicholas the Winter is celebrated, and Orthodox Church honors the memory of Nicholas the Wonderworker. According to Orthodox traditions, cannot be performed on this day hard work, and time is better spent with family and friends.

A little history

Nicholas the Wonderworker (aka Saint Nicholas, or Nicholas the Pleasant) lived in the 3rd-4th centuries. in Byzantium. The world knew him as Archbishop of Myra of Lycia, or Nicholas of Myra. In life he became famous as a great saint of God; he was considered, and is considered, an intercessor in all troubles. He performed many miracles during his lifetime, and Christians believe that even today he accomplishes the impossible by answering the prayers of believers.

Saint Nicholas is revered as a miracle worker, the patron saint of sailors, merchants, travelers and children. His biography describes one case in which Nikolai, while still very young, was heading from Myra to Alexandria to study. In one of these sea ​​travel he resurrected a sailor who had fallen to his death. While making a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Nicholas calmed the raging seas with prayer. Saved three innocently convicted men from death.

Not only Christians, but also pagans turned to him, and the saint was always ready to come to the aid of any person.

During his life, the Saint accomplished many good deeds, but his main feat was his amazingly strong and zealous faith. Nikolai Ugodnik died in the middle of the 4th century, being already quite old. According to church tradition, his relics remained incorrupt and exuded myrrh, from which many people received healing. In 1087, the saint’s relics were transported to the city of Bar (Italy), where they remain to this day.

What do children have to do with it?

It is known that on St. Nicholas Day, children find small gifts under their pillows (in European countries gifts for children are placed in shoes that stand near the bed). This tradition has ancient roots. The biography of Nicholas the Wonderworker describes one interesting fact.

While still a child, he filled a bag with food and clothes and walked the streets at night, leaving provisions near the doors of low-income families. In many of them there lived many children, who, one might say, did not let this fact be forgotten.

Traditions and rituals on the day of St. Nicholas the Winter

In Rus' it was believed that Saint Nicholas helps those slandered and innocently convicted. In addition to sailors and merchants, farmers also turned to him for help. Nicholas was considered the second intercessor after God. Even the poor, asking for alms, turned to this saint.

Many peasants set this day as the deadline for completing transactions. It was believed that:

“Nikolsky bargaining is a decree for everything.”

On this day, merchants set fixed prices for for a long time forward.

On “Nikolshchina” (December 19), brotherhoods were organized, people went to church in the morning, and afterwards they set large tables together. No one should be sad on this day; it is believed that this can bring severe frosts.

A little about the weather

St. Nicholas Day is celebrated twice a year: May 22 and December 19. These holidays are connected and predetermine each other:

Winter Nikola will drive the horse into the yard, spring Nikola will fatten the horse.

There are two Nikolas a year: one is herbal, the other is frosty.

Whatever the day is on winter Nikola, it will be the same on summer Nikola.

Usually on the day of December 19th comes very coldy. But in general, the weather on this day is determined by the preceding holidays: Michaelmas Day (November 21), St. George's Day (December 9), Varvara's Day (December 17) and Savva's Day (December 18).

Early frosts on Michaelmas often turn into thaws on Nicholas Day.

From this day on, a sleigh path was laid in the villages, people began to prepare for the transportation and sale of bread, wheat and other grains. Fairs opened and prices for goods were set.

Nicholas Day in Russian regions

In Karelia, the Nikolskaya fair was called the reindeer fair, because reindeer herding products were sold there.

In the Middle Urals, starting from December 19 and until February 15 (Candlemas), timber was harvested for construction.

This day is considered important in Pomorie. By this holiday, they finished catching flounder and cod, and the fishermen returned home. On December 19, the time for marine hunting began.

Children in Ukraine were especially looking forward to St. Nicholas Day. They wrote letters to the saint in advance, asking for help in something and for some gifts. In the morning, the children found sweets under their pillows. In Russia, many people do not know about this tradition, but in Lately schools are increasingly beginning to celebrate the holiday of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, and giving children gifts.

Folk entertainment

Nikolshchina is a holiday for old people, but there is also a place for young people. Usually on this day they have fun folk festivals with round dances, games and fortune telling. True, by Nikolshchina we should understand not exactly December 19, but the days that precede and follow it church holiday. People celebrated these days cheerfully and always by sharing. Tables were set up on the streets, and each housewife brought something specially prepared for this holiday. Usually the tables were full of beer and pies.

From this period, young people gathered for evening gatherings. In some places, it was time for matchmaking, and those who planned to get married ordered a prayer service in the church on December 19.

How will you celebrate St. Nicholas Day?