St. Nicholas The Great Wonder Worker
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Submitted by: Constantinos

St. Nicholas The Great Wonder Worker

There was this very well known Bishop from the 3rd century he was a member of the 1st Ecumenical Synod of the Christian Church, he became -world known- not only because he was a Great Wonder Worker (miracle maker), but because he had the reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes to some who left them out for him, and giving pour families who had daughters dowry in order for them to be able to marry and not to be send to become prostitutes.

Before joining the Church and becoming Bishop he gave all of his personal property (he was rich) to the poor. He wanted to travel one time to the Holy Land and on the way a great storm broke out and the ship was to be taken apart so the crew asked the priest to pray for he was a man of God…and the storm immediately stopped. One of the sailors, who climbed up to fix the sails slipped and fell to his death. Immediately the holy Bishop approached him and said: Christ my God who has authority over life and death resurrect this man…and he was resurrected.

The miracles were not only countless, they were great and this is why he got the fame of being a Great Wonderer. After the schism of the Church in 1054 AD this great Saint that was known all over the world was “put away” because being Bishop of the first Church would identify as to the Church Tradition that attracted the Grace of God with which he came to be such a Great Wonderer Worker.  The Greek Orthodox Church celebrates his memory December 6

The Church that is in custody of his Holy Remains today came into being 700 years after this Holy mans death. 

(a short and fun video to tell the story)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmEeiM09IXI&feature=related

Upon visiting his resting place [http://obitel-minsk.by/_oid100025155.html] Nun Juliania (Denissova) writes “the most important thing for me was that the Lord allowed me to see the wonderful signs of God's presence on Earth with my own eyes and to learn something from it”. The relics of St Nicholas were a genuine window to the Eternity for me. She goes on and she writes: Myrrh, which is a supernatural, wonderworking and fragrant liquid, flows out from the relics of St. Nicholas even up to the present day.

Such trips are sometimes necessary not only for consolation but also to let a person have the chance to think over what is going on inside his heart as he stands face to face with the saint”.

Being a Bishop of the first Christian Church he was very ascetic he fasted like all Orthodox do today for the period of Christmas for 40 days, he took confession of the sins of others and confessed his own like all Bishops do when needed. He took Holy Communion during Divine Liturgy the day of Christmas. The Christmas period starting November 15 December 25 is known as “stadio” meaning stage. Christians are called to fast from meat, cheese, milk, and eat no oil (if they are physically able to). They are also called to “fast” their mouth and their eyes, meaning they have to “watch” the gossip the bad mouthing, and they are called to fast their eyes from anything that will bring Sin to their minds and hearts. The Grace given from God at the end of fasting period is the Grace each person attracts from God through their honest efforts. The remaking of each person (to holy) will have a visual affect on each and every person men and women after His Second Coming.

[1 Corinthians 15:41] “There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory”

Saint Nicolaos who was a Bishop of the first Church is also known as Nikolaos of Myra. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas] He was a real life historic 4th-century Saint and Greek Bishop of Myra Demre, part of modern-day Turkey in Lycia.

The greatness and fame of this humble and faithful Bishop holy man of the Lord could not be hidden for his name and his miracles became known all over the world.

There were some who decided to hide his identity as a Bishop that would give way the Church He belonged to they kept the name and  promoted thru a comic figure (Santa), the Saints  -gift giving virtue- alone!

The main message that Saint Nicolaos was a member of a Church (the first Church) that Truly Saves was then vanished and was replaced with Santa’s gifts, vacation, the parties, the drinking, the staying out late and of course the Christmas tree!   

For those who do not know him

Now you know that Saint Nicolaos is NOT Santa Claus who is a made up clown. Saint Nicolaos is not the fat man on a sleigh with the red suit (ho ho) and the reindeer that will  bring every year after year  the horrible gifts of IGNORANCE that will cost you and your children the eternal separation from God. Yes it I a fact that “good old”  Santa has No God, No Faith No Religion, No principals he Does Not Fast or Pray neither and he Does Not Care about you going to the Heavenly Kingdom or not. MOST OF ALL fat Santa does not care if you ever get to know the Real Saint Nicolas, his miracles and the Spiritual Life (the Church) that cleansed him from Sin and enabled him being a temple of the Holy Spirit in order to make so may great miracles.

[1 Corinthians 3 :16] Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and who was given to you by God”?

For those Christians who do know Saint Nicolas.

[http://www.ps3youtube.com/v/C63Yqwf3pcQ]

A welcome ceremony of his Miracle making Holy Remains with military (Navy) honors in the  harbor of Perea Greece. He is the patron Saint of the Greek Navy. 

20th Century Orthodox Saints ST. NECTARIOS of AEGINA, THE MIRACLE-WORKER http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf_QCI3XvBA

[John 3:2] “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is”.

Merry CHRISTmas to all

Constantinos JW

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