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06 December 2006
+ Nicholas of Myra +
6 December AD 326
Saint Nicholas of Myra, Pastor and Bishop — Of the many saints recognized by the Christian Church, Nicholas is one of the most widely commemorated. However, very little is known historically of him, although there was a church of Saint Nicholas in Constantinople as early as the sixth century. Research affirms that there was a bishop by the name of Nicholas in the city of Myra in Lycia (part of Turkey today) in the fourth century.
From that coastal location, legends about Nicholas have traveled across time and distance. He is associated with charitable giving in many countries around the world and is portrayed as the rescuer of sailors, the protector of children, and the friend of people in distress or need. In commemoration of "Sinterklaas" (a Dutch version of "Saint Nicholas," or, in English, "Santa Claus"), 6 December is a day for giving and receiving gifts in many parts of Europe.
See the article at Ask the Pastor for details about the most famous apocryphal story told about him and related information on his patronage and "transformation" into the American Santa Claus. There you'll learn about his connection with money lending and his patron saint status for pawnbrokers. This year, he added a St. Nicholas Day hymn stanza as part of an article on midweek services based upon sanctorial commemorations in the Christian calendar. Meanwhile, Pastor Alex Klages focused on Nicholas as a staunchly orthodox bishop who grew so weary of the arch-heretic of Nicaea that he slapped Arius for continually professing false doctrine concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.
Lection
Psalm 78:3-7 or 145:8-13
Isaiah 58:6-10
1 John 4:7-14
Mark 10:13-16
Collect
O Lord, let Your continual mercy enkindle in Your Church the unfailing gifts of charity and faith, that, following the example of your servant Nicholas of Myra, we may have grace to deal in generosity and love with children and with all who are poor and distressed, to uphold the cause of those who have no helper, and to strive for purity of doctrine in the Church; for the sake of Him who gave His life for us, Your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Technorati Tags: Nicholas of Myra | Saint Nicholas of Myra | St. Nicholas of Myra | Saint Nick | Santa Claus | Santa | Christian | charity | church history | historical theology | hagiography | biography | Christology | Council of Nicaea | Arius | Arianism ¶ 00:01 |
Saint Nicholas of Myra, Pastor and Bishop — Of the many saints recognized by the Christian Church, Nicholas is one of the most widely commemorated. However, very little is known historically of him, although there was a church of Saint Nicholas in Constantinople as early as the sixth century. Research affirms that there was a bishop by the name of Nicholas in the city of Myra in Lycia (part of Turkey today) in the fourth century.From that coastal location, legends about Nicholas have traveled across time and distance. He is associated with charitable giving in many countries around the world and is portrayed as the rescuer of sailors, the protector of children, and the friend of people in distress or need. In commemoration of "Sinterklaas" (a Dutch version of "Saint Nicholas," or, in English, "Santa Claus"), 6 December is a day for giving and receiving gifts in many parts of Europe.
See the article at Ask the Pastor for details about the most famous apocryphal story told about him and related information on his patronage and "transformation" into the American Santa Claus. There you'll learn about his connection with money lending and his patron saint status for pawnbrokers. This year, he added a St. Nicholas Day hymn stanza as part of an article on midweek services based upon sanctorial commemorations in the Christian calendar. Meanwhile, Pastor Alex Klages focused on Nicholas as a staunchly orthodox bishop who grew so weary of the arch-heretic of Nicaea that he slapped Arius for continually professing false doctrine concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.
Lection
Psalm 78:3-7 or 145:8-13
Isaiah 58:6-10
1 John 4:7-14
Mark 10:13-16
Collect
O Lord, let Your continual mercy enkindle in Your Church the unfailing gifts of charity and faith, that, following the example of your servant Nicholas of Myra, we may have grace to deal in generosity and love with children and with all who are poor and distressed, to uphold the cause of those who have no helper, and to strive for purity of doctrine in the Church; for the sake of Him who gave His life for us, Your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Technorati Tags: Nicholas of Myra | Saint Nicholas of Myra | St. Nicholas of Myra | Saint Nick | Santa Claus | Santa | Christian | charity | church history | historical theology | hagiography | biography | Christology | Council of Nicaea | Arius | Arianism ¶ 00:01 |
