Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, WA

St Nicholas lived during the reign of St Constantine the Great, and reposed in 330 AD. As a young man, St Nicholas desired to espouse the solitary life. He made a pilgrimage to the holy city Jerusalem, where he found a place to withdraw to devote himself to prayer. It was made known to him, however, that this was not the will of God for him, but that he should return to his homeland to be a cause of salvation for many. He returned to Myra, and was ordained Bishop. He became known for his abundant mercy, providing for the poor and needy, and delivering those who had been unjustly accused.

No less was he known for his zeal for the truth. He was present at the First Ecumenical Synod of the 318 Fathers at Nicaea in 325 AD; upon hearing the blasphemies that Arius brazenly uttered against the Son of God, St Nicholas struck him on the face. Since the canons of the Church forbid the clergy to strike any man at all, his fellow Bishops were in perplexity what disciplinary action was to be taken against this Hierarch whom all revered. In the night our Lord Jesus Christ and our Lady Theotokos appeared to certain of the Bishops, informing them that no action was to be taken against him, since he had acted not out of passion, but extreme love and piety.

The Dismissal Hymn for Holy Hierarchs, "The truth of things have revealed you to your flock..." was written originally for St Nicholas. He is the patron of all travellers, and of seafarers in particular; he is one of the best known and best loved Saints of all time.



	Our Father among the Saints Nicholas the Wonderworker, Bishop of Myra, Lycia Commemorated December 6 St Nicholas lived during the reign of St Constantine the Great, and reposed in 330 AD. As a young man, St Nicholas desired to espouse the solitary life. He made a pilgrimage to the holy city Jerusalem, where he found a place to withdraw to devote himself to prayer. It was made known to him, however, that this was not the will of God for him, but that he should return to his homeland to be a cause of salvation for many. He returned to Myra, and was ordained Bishop. He became known for his abundant mercy, providing for the poor and needy, and delivering those who had been unjustly accused. No less was he known for his zeal for the truth. He was present at the First Ecumenical Synod of the 318 Fathers at Nicaea in 325 AD; upon hearing the blasphemies that Arius brazenly uttered against the Son of God, St Nicholas struck him on the face. Since the canons of the Church forbid the clergy to strike any man at all, his fellow Bishops were in perplexity what disciplinary action was to be taken against this Hierarch whom all revered. In the night our Lord Jesus Christ and our Lady Theotokos appeared to certain of the Bishops, informing them that no action was to be taken against him, since he had acted not out of passion, but extreme love and piety. The Dismissal Hymn for Holy Hierarchs, "The truth of things have revealed you to your flock..." was written originally for St Nicholas. He is the patron of all travellers, and of seafarers in particular; he is one of the best known and best loved Saints of all time. Dismissal Hymn (Fourth Tone) The truth of things hath revealed you to your flock as a rule of faith, an icon of meekness, and a teacher of temperance; for this cause, you have achieved the heights by humility, riches by poverty. O Father and Hierarch Nicholas, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved. Kontakion (Third Tone) On this day the Virgin You, O righteous Nicholas, in Myra truly was shown forth as a sacred minister fulfilling Christ's holy Gospel; for you laid down your life for your flock and people and, O Saint, saved the innocent from unjust death. Therefore, you was sanctified as a great initiate of the divine grace of God.

Our Father among the Saints Nicholas the Wonderworker, Bishop of Myra, Lycia