St. Nicholas Day-- December 6 (Part A)

As Bishop of Myra, a seacoast town in southern Turkey, Nicholas lived the qualities that caused his fame and popularity to spread throughout the Christian world. His vigorous actions on behalf of his people and in defense of the Christian faith reveal a man who lived his convictions. His concern was for the welfare of his flock and his stand for orthodox belief earned him respect as a model for bishops and defender of the faith. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church.

Stories tell of Nicholas saving his people from famine, sparing the lives of those innocently accused, and much more. He did many kind and generous deeds in secret, expecting nothing in return. Within a century of his death he was celebrated as a saint. Today he is in the East as wonder, or miracle worker and in the West as patron of a great variety of persons: children, mariners, bankers, pawn-brokers, scholars, orphans, laborers, travelers, merchants, judges, paupers, marriageable maidens, students, children, sailors, victims of judicial mistakes, captives, perfumers, even thieves and murderers!

In 325 Emperor Constantine called the Council of Nicea, which was the first ecumenical council ever held. More than 300 bishops from all over the Christian world came to debate the nature of the Holy Trinity, one of the early church's most intense theological questions. Arias, from Egypt, taught that the Son Jesus was not equal to God the Father. This was the Arian controversy which shook Christianity's very foundations. According to one account, when confronted by the unyielding Arias, Nicholas slapped him in the face.

Other names in Europe: Germany (Nikolaus), Netherlands (Sinterklaas), France (Nicolas), Italy (San Nicola)

In celebration, check out posting "B" for today!