St Nicholas
The name "Nikolai" translates from Greek as "conqueror of nations." This name proved prophetic for the saint. Almost all nations of the world venerate Saint Nicholas. The Western European and American "Santa Claus" is a somewhat transformed and simplified image of Saint Nicholas. The symbol of the bag of gifts he carries over his shoulder is taken from his life story. The saint saved a father and three daughters from poverty by bringing them bags of gold at night, so that no one would see, and throwing them out the window. Ded Moroz is also an image of the Miracle Worker of Myra. His New Year's symbol is only a different name – Ded Moroz. It is also noteworthy that various nations of the world (even non-Christian ones!) greatly venerate Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. For example, explorers of Siberia often found icons of the saint in the tents and yarangas of northern pagan peoples. Native Siberians claimed that the saint greatly helped them: when they called on his name, they immediately felt the help. They called Nicholas "the good old man." There are also known instances of Muslim Turks (who strictly forbade the veneration of icons) keeping icons of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker on their galleys, because he repeatedly delivered them from the troubles and dangers of sea voyages. How did Saint Nicholas conquer the peoples? With his love. He is one of the quickest saints, coming to the aid of those in trouble. During his lifetime, he performed numerous acts of mercy, miracles, and healings performed in the name of love. He also performed numerous posthumous acts of grace, with which he helped and continues to help people. Perhaps a multi-volume collection could be compiled from the miracles of Saint Nicholas during his lifetime and after his death. Let us pray to this great saint of God, and he will certainly come to our aid. Saint Nicholas is a role model. If we also, without sparing ourselves, love our neighbors and hasten to perform acts of mercy, then we too will become conquerors of the nations. After all, giving is far more blessed than receiving. God is love. And the primary work of every person is the work of love. That is, we must structure our lives so that, through us, the Lord's love is poured out into the world—to others. Poured out in thoughts, feelings, deeds, actions. Sacrificially. After all, love is always sacrificial. A gift is for giving. And then a person who lives in this way truly becomes a son and daughter of the Most High. Already here, on sinful earth, they foretaste the supreme joy of heavenly bliss, which, in essence, consists in living for God and for others. "Jesus said unto him, 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind: this is the first and great commandment.' The second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 22:37–40). This is the main secret of Saint Nicholas's popularity. Saint Nicholas, Father Nicholas, pray to God for us!
The name "Nikolai" translates from Greek as "conqueror of nations." This name proved prophetic for the saint. Almost all nations of the world venerate Saint Nicholas. The Western European and American "Santa Claus" is a somewhat transformed and simplified image of Saint Nicholas. The symbol of the bag of gifts he carries over his shoulder is taken from his life story. The saint saved a father and three daughters from poverty by bringing them bags of gold at night, so that no one would see, and throwing them out the window. Ded Moroz is also an image of the Miracle Worker of Myra. His New Year's symbol is only a different name – Ded Moroz. It is also noteworthy that various nations of the world (even non-Christian ones!) greatly venerate Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. For example, explorers of Siberia often found icons of the saint in the tents and yarangas of northern pagan peoples. Native Siberians claimed that the saint greatly helped them: when they called on his name, they immediately felt the help. They called Nicholas "the good old man." There are also known instances of Muslim Turks (who strictly forbade the veneration of icons) keeping icons of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker on their galleys, because he repeatedly delivered them from the troubles and dangers of sea voyages. How did Saint Nicholas conquer the peoples? With his love. He is one of the quickest saints, coming to the aid of those in trouble. During his lifetime, he performed numerous acts of mercy, miracles, and healings performed in the name of love. He also performed numerous posthumous acts of grace, with which he helped and continues to help people. Perhaps a multi-volume collection could be compiled from the miracles of Saint Nicholas during his lifetime and after his death. Let us pray to this great saint of God, and he will certainly come to our aid. Saint Nicholas is a role model. If we also, without sparing ourselves, love our neighbors and hasten to perform acts of mercy, then we too will become conquerors of the nations. After all, giving is far more blessed than receiving. God is love. And the primary work of every person is the work of love. That is, we must structure our lives so that, through us, the Lord's love is poured out into the world—to others. Poured out in thoughts, feelings, deeds, actions. Sacrificially. After all, love is always sacrificial. A gift is for giving. And then a person who lives in this way truly becomes a son and daughter of the Most High. Already here, on sinful earth, they foretaste the supreme joy of heavenly bliss, which, in essence, consists in living for God and for others. "Jesus said unto him, 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind: this is the first and great commandment.' The second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 22:37–40). This is the main secret of Saint Nicholas's popularity. Saint Nicholas, Father Nicholas, pray to God for us!