Nicholas is a saint when celebrated. How to celebrate the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

30.09.2020

The day of remembrance of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Georgia, one of the most revered Saints by Georgians, is called Nikolozoba - all operating churches in the country hold festive services on this day.

Saint Nicholas became famous as a great saint of God - the Saint is especially revered as a quick helper in the most hopeless and insoluble problems, both spiritual and everyday.

Evidence of numerous miracles performed by Nicholas the Wonderworker and his extraordinary mercy has been preserved in church tradition.

To this day, the Saint provides assistance to people who turn to him with prayer - icons of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker are kept on ships and ships, which indicates his special veneration by sailors.

In honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, celebrations, according to the church calendar, take place three times a year: May 22 - in memory of the transfer of the relics of the Saint to Bar (Bari - Italy) from Myra Lycia (the territory of modern Turkey), August 11 - on the birthday of the Saint and 19 December - the day of his death.

Life

The future Saint was born in 270 in the town of Patara, a Greek colony located in the region of Lycia in Asia Minor. Nicholas, as they say in the life of the Saint, was born thanks to the prayer of desperate parents who had not had children for a long time.

Nicholas's parents were very wealthy people - they believed in Jesus Christ and actively helped the poor. Since childhood, Nikolai spent a lot of time in church and devoted himself completely to faith.

As an adult, Nikolai served as a reader, and then as a priest at the church, where his uncle, Bishop Nikolai Patarsky, was the rector. The young man, serving the Lord, burned in spirit, and in matters of faith he was like an old man with experience, which aroused surprise and deep respect among believers.

Fate of the Saint

Presbyter Nicholas, constantly in unceasing prayer, showed great mercy to his flock - he came to the aid of the suffering and distributed all his property to the poor.

Thus, Saint Nicholas saved a poor city resident from great sin, having learned about his bitter need and poverty. In order to somehow feed the family, the father, desperate to marry off his three adult daughters without a dowry, decided to sell them to a brothel.

Grieving over the dying sinner, the saint secretly threw three bags of gold out his window at night and saved his family from falling and spiritual death. Saint Nicholas always tried to give alms secretly and hide his good deeds.

Saint Nicholas ascended the episcopal throne in Myra during the years when the attitude of the Roman emperors towards Christians became more tolerant, nevertheless, persecution continued. 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, fair, meek, and sympathetic. Not a single request to him went unanswered. Saint Nicholas was imprisoned under Emperor Diocletian, a persecutor of Christians, but even there he preached and took care of the prisoners.

With all this, Saint Nicholas was remembered by his contemporaries as a defender of Christianity, denouncing heretics and an irreconcilable fighter against paganism, who destroyed temples and idols.

Saint Nicholas became famous for many miracles during his lifetime - with his fervent prayer to Christ he saved the city of Myra from a terrible famine. With his prayer, the miracle worker led unjustly convicted people out of prison and helped drowning sailors on ships.

Nicholas Roerich "Saint Nicholas".

Nicholas the Wonderworker died peacefully around 345-351 (the exact date is unknown), having lived to a ripe old age.

The honest relics of St. Nicholas were kept incorrupt in the local cathedral church - they exuded healing myrrh, which brought healing to many. The relics of the Wonderworker were transferred to the Italian city of Bari in 1087, where they rest to this day.

Nikolozoba

The Wonderworker is one of the most revered Saints in Georgia. The day of remembrance of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Georgia is called Nikolozoba. Festive services are held on this day in all existing churches in the country.

He is considered one of the patrons of the Georgian Orthodox Church. In Tbilisi alone there are five Orthodox churches named after St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

The Georgian Orthodox Church celebrates St. Nicholas Day twice a year: December 19 is the day of his remembrance and May 22 is the feast of the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, to the Italian city of Bari.

Patron

Nicholas the Wonderworker has been considered the patron saint of travelers and, first of all, sailors since ancient times. The life of the Saint says that during the journey, when young Nicholas went to study in Alexandria, a tragedy occurred on the ship - one of the sailors fell off the mast and died.

Saint Nicholas sincerely prayed to the Savior for the unfortunate man, and the Lord, to everyone’s amazement, performed a miracle and resurrected the sailor.

Over the past centuries, sailors have collected a lot of evidence of how St. Nicholas the Wonderworker helps. Land travelers also turn to the saint in their prayers.

Saint Nicholas is the patron of children, especially those in need, whom he always helped, according to legend - he fed them, sometimes gave them gifts, saved them from death and healed them. Therefore, when after his death a holiday was established in honor of the Wonderworker, a tradition arose in Holland of giving gifts to children.

The same tradition existed in Germany - the ministers of the Cologne Cathedral on the Saint's Day, December 6 (old style), distributed pastries and fruits to children.

The birth of Santa Claus is associated with the birth of Clement Clarke Moore's poem "The Parish of St. Nicholas", in which he described the Wonderworker as a kind, well-fed old man. This tradition has since spread throughout the world and has taken root most in the United States.

photo: courtesy of Tbilisi City Hall

On this holiday, since ancient times, it has been traditional to hold charity events that are aimed at helping poor and orphaned children.

Traditions and signs

Traditional dishes on St. Nicholas Day, which is celebrated during the Nativity Fast, were mushroom pies and beer.

The Slavs, in the old days, considered this day to be the last day of the year, when it was necessary to pay off all debts, because they believed that in the coming year the family would be in poverty if this was not done.

It was also believed that there would be trouble in the coming year if the owner of the house did not go around his yard first. Therefore, on St. Nicholas Day, the men tried to get up early and walk around the entire yard.

On this day, it was customary to make peace with those with whom you are in a quarrel.

Many considered this day to be magical, when any wishes come true - girls put a glass of water by the bed before going to bed and said: “Mummer, come to me and drink some water.” And whoever dreams will be her destiny.

To find out whether a girl will get married or not, in ancient times girls took the ring of a married woman, preferably a happy one, and hung it on their own hair over a glass of water and watched it.

According to fortune telling, a girl would not get married this year if the ring hit the edge of the glass; if the ring, without touching the glass, spun quickly, this foreshadowed an imminent wedding, and a ring moving slowly indicated that the girl would get married twice.

Winter could also be predicted by the weather on St. Nicholas Day - a cold day foreshadowed a cold winter, and warm weather indicated that the whole season would be clear and without severe frosts. If snow falls before the holiday, the winter will be cold, frosty and harsh.

The year promises to be rich and fruitful if frost appears before the Day of the Wonderworker.

What do they pray for?

They pray to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in a variety of life trials - people testify that the Saint quickly answers the prayers of believers. They also ask Nicholas the Wonderworker for the well-being of travelers.

They pray to the Wonderworker for deliverance from hunger, as well as for the successful marriage of their daughters, remembering how the Saint secretly donated money for a dowry to the daughters of a ruined man.

During his lifetime, Nicholas the Wonderworker became famous as a defender of the innocently convicted, a pacifier of warring parties, and a deliverer from needless death.

You can ask Nicholas the Wonderworker for any help, remembering the power of his prayer. You can turn to the Saint with any question, and your voice will be heard.

Prayers

First prayer

O all-praised, great wonderworker, saint of Christ, Father Nicholas!

We pray to you, awaken the hope of all Christians, protector of the faithful, feeder of the hungry, joy of the weeping, doctor of the sick, steward of those floating on the sea, feeder of the poor and orphans, and quick helper and patron of all, may we live a peaceful life here and may we be worthy to see the glory of God’s elect in heaven , and with them unceasingly sing the praises of the one worshiped God in the Trinity forever and ever. Amen.

Second prayer

O great intercessor, the bishop of God, the Most Blessed Nicholas, who shone miracles under the sun, appearing as a quick hearer to those who call upon you, who always precede them and save them, and deliver them, and take them away from all sorts of troubles, from these God-given miracles and gifts of grace!

Hear me, unworthy, calling you with faith and bringing you prayer songs; I offer you an intercessor to plead with Christ.

Oh, renowned for miracles, saint of heights! as if you have the boldness, soon stand before the Lady, and reverently stretch out your hands in prayer to Him for me, a sinner, and grant me the bounty of goodness from Him, and accept me into your intercession, and deliver me from all troubles and evils, from the invasion of enemies visible and invisible freeing, and destroying all those slander and malice, and reflecting those who fight me throughout my life; for my sins, ask for forgiveness, and present me saved to Christ and be worthy to receive the Kingdom of Heaven for the abundance of that love for mankind, to which belongs all glory, honor and worship, with his beginningless Father, and with the Most Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages centuries.

The material was prepared based on open sources

Christian believers respect Nicholas the Wonderworker and worship him twice a year - Winter Nicholas on December 19 and Summer Nicholas on May 22. This holiday has its own customs, which have been passed down by ancestors since ancient times, because faith in miracles lives in the hearts of people. The Feast of Summer St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, also called Summer St. Nicholas Day or St. Nicholas Day.

Summer Nicholas the Wonderworker, what date is it in 2018: an idea of the holiday

Summer Nicholas the Wonderworker is celebrated every year on May 22. Despite the fact that this holiday is celebrated in the spring, it is still called Summer. It is believed that on this day spring meets summer, after which the really hot weather will come.

Saint Nicholas is one of the most significant saints. In Rus', he was considered the patron saint of ordinary people and animals, as well as navigation, agriculture and children. Among other things, Saint Nicholas was considered the protector of the blackened and innocently sentenced.

What date is Summer Nicholas the Wonderworker in 2018: the history of the holiday

Christian believers venerate St. Nicholas the Wonderworker twice a year. The first is on December 19, on the day of his death, and the second is on May 22, on the day when his relics were transferred to the city of Bar. He died in the 4th century and was buried in the Lycian Cathedral. The remains of Nicholas the Wonderworker were in Greece for several centuries. After which, frequent attacks by the Turks on the country began to occur, and the cities they encountered were burned to the ground. Their goal was to destroy the remains of the saint.

In 1087, residents of the city of Bar captured the remains of Nicholas the Wonderworker and transported them to their hometown. Today, his relics are still in the Temple of Stephen. Orthodox Christians celebrate the day of the transfer of relics, which is associated with a large number of traditions and customs. Only St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is venerated twice a year.

Even during his lifetime, everyone loved St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, and now, in almost all cities, it is possible to find a church that is named in his honor. Believers are convinced that he has the greatest power and those who ask him for help through prayer, he always helps.

What date is Summer Nicholas the Wonderworker in 2018: traditions and customs of the holiday

People always prepare in advance for the holiday of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. On this day, it is customary to go to church and pray to the Lord, while asking St. Nicholas the Wonderworker for help. Girls turn to him with a request for marriage, farmers - for crop yields, and parents - for the health and happiness of their children.

Also, on this holiday it is customary to organize folk festivals. For treats, various pastries were baked with raisins, or jam was used for filling. It was allowed to drink intoxicating drinks such as beer and wine. Previous generations prepared for Nicholas the Summer several weeks before the holiday. They began to make an intoxicating drink.

From early morning, all people, from big to small, washed themselves with dew. Thus, all diseases were driven away. There is a belief that if it rains on this holiday, then you should expect a good harvest. If there was no rain, then people met at reservoirs and prayed to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, after which they splashed water on each other, as well as on their gardens and animals.

In the old days, on this day, for the first time, horses were left in the field all night, because it was believed that St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was the protector of these animals. However, they were also watched by young guys who did not sleep throughout the night. As a rule, this event was combined with dancing and singing.

At the end of spring in Rus', since ancient times, one of the two folk Christian holidays associated with the most revered saint in the Christian world is celebrated - Nikolai Ugodnik, which is also called Nicholas the Wonderworker or Saint Nicholas.

When is the summer holiday of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker celebrated?

Holiday summer Nicholas the Wonderworker, or, as it is also called, Nikola summer, Nikola spring, or Nikolin's day, noted 22nd of May, which corresponds to May 9, old style.

Who is Nicholas the Wonderworker

Saint Nicholas is one of the most revered saints in Christianity. In Rus', he was considered the protector of ordinary people and animals, as well as the patron of navigation, trade, agriculture and children. In addition, Saint Nicholas is considered the intercessor of the slandered and innocently convicted.

The memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is celebrated twice. Nikola Letniy noted 22nd of May in honor of the transfer in 1087 of the relics of St. Nicholas from the city of Myra on the territory of modern Turkey to the city of Bar in Italy.

The second holiday - the so-called Nikola winter- noted December 19th. This is the day of remembrance of St. Nicholas, which is associated with the end of his earthly life.

According to legend, Nicholas the Wonderworker was born in the 3rd century in the Greek colony of Patara in Asia Minor into a Christian family. From his youth, Nicholas was a zealous Christian and unmercenary; numerous miracles were also attributed to him, which he performed through prayer.

Nikolai Ugodnik (he is sometimes even called Nikola Morskoy) is especially revered by sailors, because, according to legend, the saint was able to calm the stormy sea with his prayer and even somehow resurrected a sailor who was killed when falling from the mast.

After his death, Nicholas the Wonderworker was buried in a special shrine in the church of the city of Mira. However, Italian merchants, fearing persecution of Christians and destruction of the relics, stole the reliquary in 1087 and transported it to Italy, where it has since been kept in the crypt of the Basilica of St. Nicholas in the Italian city of Bar.

Nikola Letniy - traditions and rituals

Nikola Letniy or Spring or Nikolin's day- this is the day of the Slavic folk calendar, corresponding to the summer St. Nicholas the Wonderworker; the holiday also falls on May 22.

In Rus', on this day they prayed to Nicholas the Pleasant with requests to protect livestock and crops, since it was believed that this saint was very close to God, and, therefore, was responsible for the weather and various elements.

It was customary for owners of horses and other livestock to perform various rituals on St. Nicholas Day to protect their livestock from diseases, predators and other misfortunes.

For example, there were special rituals for protection from wolves. The peasants stuck a knife into a table or threshold, put iron in the stove or covered a stone with a pot, saying: “My little cow, my nurse, sit under the pot from the wolf, and you, wolf, gnaw at your sides.”

Signs and sayings for St. Nicholas Day

Until Nikola, be strong, even if you break, but with Nikola, live - don’t worry (that is, the cold is over, summer is ahead).

Father Nikola! Let's have some big rain! On our rye, on our woman's flax, water it with a bucket!

Ask Nikola, and he will tell Spas (that is, help with the harvest).

What is the day on summer (spring) Nikola, so is it on winter Nikola.

May 22, 2018 The national holiday of St. Nicholas the Spring or St. Nicholas Day is celebrated. For the Orthodox Church, this day is also a memorable date. This day marks the transfer of the holy remains of St. Nicholas from Myra in Lycia to Bar.

People nicknamed Nicholas the Spring for the reason that it is celebrated as if in contrast to another holiday - the celebration date of which falls on December 19.

Also a holiday Nikola Veshny or Nikolin's day May 22 has several other names. It is also called Nikola Warm, Nikola Summer, Nikola Spring, Nikolshchina, Nikola, Nikola Herbal, Herbal Day.

As the story goes, Saint Nicholas is a great saint of God. He is famous all over the world. Temples, monasteries and cathedrals are still named in his honor to this day. In almost every major city in our country there is a church of St. Nicholas or St. Nicholas Church.

Saint Nicholas died in the middle of the 4th century. His relics were kept in the Lycian Cathedral until difficult times came in Greece. When the Turks began to ravage Greece, they also wanted to destroy the remains of St. Nicholas. But since the entire Christian people deeply revered the saint, they could not allow this. Then, in 1087, residents of the city of Bar specially came to Myra to take the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker. On May 8 (old style) the ship arrived in the city, and the next day the saint’s relics were solemnly brought into the Church of St. Stephen. They remain there to this day. Therefore, every year on May 9 according to the old style or May 22 according to the new style the Orthodox Church celebrates the Day of Remembrance of St. Nicholas.

Since Saint Nicholas was always loved by the people, a national holiday was dedicated to his memory day. It was called Nikola Spring or Nikolin's Day, and it is always celebrated on May 22.

Being a national holiday, Nikola Spring or Nikolin's day May 22, 2018 has many traditions, customs, rituals, beliefs and signs.

Since Saint Nicholas is popularly considered the patron saint of horses, on this day it is customary to drive the animals out to pasture all night. By this day, the grass in the field is already quite tall and lush, so herds of horses can frolic all night. Our ancestors even performed a special ceremony on this occasion and organized a holiday. This tradition in some regions has survived to this day.

Young unmarried guys should guard the horses this night. They usually prepare a special treat for dinner - pies, porridge, pancakes.

On Nikolina’s day, May 22, they don’t go to bed until late at night. People light bonfires, sing songs, dance in circles, even small children are allowed to have fun and walk longer than usual.

In the old days, Nikola Veshny was considered the day when young men began their adult lives. Therefore, adults could no longer control the hot young hearts.

According to popular belief, in the morning on St. Nicholas Day you need to wash yourself with dew, then you will gain health for the whole year.

Also, in the morning on this holiday, people go out into the fields or into their gardens, where they perform special rituals and read conspiracies to protect the land from pests and drought and attract a good harvest.

A folk sign says that if an alder tree blooms on Nikola Veshny, then you can sow buckwheat.

According to another superstition, if you didn’t have time to plant potatoes by St. Nicholas Day, then there is no point in doing so, since they will not have time to ripen.

The Orthodox holiday of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is celebrated annually on December 19. The monk, being a colossally revered saint, is the true patron of travelers and brave sailors, workers of various industries, peasants and children. On the icons he is depicted with a miter (liturgical headdress) on his head, which symbolizes bishopric.

The tradition of Christmas gifts is based on the reverend's biography.

Icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Origin of the holiday

On this day, a significant event takes place, which children and parents love very much: at night, the family is visited by a fictional character who wants to do something nice and puts gifts next to the beds, inside shoes or in hanging socks.

This holiday tradition has real historical roots.

In the house adjacent to the dwelling of St. Nicholas of Myra, lived a very poor family. The wife died, and the widower was left with a beautiful daughter who loved a young man from a wealthy class. The young man's wealthy relatives did not want to accept a charming girl without the necessary dowry.

Nicholas the Wonderworker, who had a rich inheritance, decided to help the poor beauty. He changed his clothes and no one could recognize him. Having approached the window of the poor people, Nikolai sincerely threw a bag of gold coins into the house.

Thus, this holy man helped loving hearts and allowed them to unite in marriage.

There is another version of the appearance of this Orthodox holiday. One day, a simple man's heavy cart got stuck in the mud. He couldn't get his stuff out on his own. At this time, miracle workers passed by, who were on their way to the Almighty Lord. One of the saints (Kasyan), having heard the request of a simple peasant, was offended by him and walked past in his clean clothes.

After some time, Nikolai appeared next to the cart, and without hesitation he began to help the man in his trouble. However, the Wonderworker himself was covered in mud.

When the saints came to the Almighty, He asked them why Nicholas was late and looked so indecent. God began to listen to the story of the Wonderworker, and then he listened to Kasyan. The latter replied that he could never come to the Creator in dirty clothes.

The Almighty made a decision: the Kasyan holiday will take place only once a year, whereas since Saint Nicholas deserves two days - a summer celebration (May 22) and a winter celebration (December 19).

Holy images of Nicholas began to be painted in the 10th century. However, the origin of the oldest canvas dates back to the 8th century. The monk is depicted both half-length and in full height. A classic example of the latter option is a fresco located in the Golden-Domed Monastery in Kiev. It was created at the beginning of the 12th century. The saint is depicted with a blessing gesture and the Holy Scriptures open.

In many cities in Rus', temples and cathedrals are dedicated to St. Nicholas the Pleasant.

Read about churches in honor of St. Nicholas the Ugodnik:

In 866, Prince Askold of Kiev was baptized in the name of the saint. After his death, Princess Olga erected the first church in Rus' for Archbishop Nicholas on his grave.

In the Kremlin, one of the main towers is called Nikolskaya.

The feast of St. Nicholas is celebrated on December 19. In Rus' it quickly took root and spread throughout the entire territory.

Based on everyday life, the tradition of Christmas gifts arose. The miracle worker patronizes people of various professions and all children who wish for magic on a certain day.

Prayers on the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker