home Meaning of tarot cards When is the church holiday of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Nikola Summer: folk traditions and signs on the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

When is the church holiday of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Nikola Summer: folk traditions and signs on the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Christians celebrate on May 22 the Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. This festival is associated with the transfer of the relics of the archbishop from the town of Myra to a place called Bari. In Russia, this date is called Nikola Veshny, linking Christian holiday with spring and long-awaited changes.

This saint was born in a Greek colony in Asia. The place of his birth was the town of Patara. His parents had a large fortune, were believing and zealous Christians and were actively involved in charity work.

As a boy, Saint Nicholas read church books for a long time and regularly visited the church. And when he grew up, he learned to be a priest and went to serve in the temple, where his own uncle, the famous Bishop of Patara, was the father rector of the monastery.

After the natural death of his mother and father, Nicholas the Wonderworker gave all his fortune to the needy, and he himself became a bishop in Mir. Today this city is called Demre, and this place is located in the Turkish region of Antalya.

The just and honest archbishop was greatly honored by the people. During his long life, St. Nicholas performed many miracles. To this day, information has come down to the following of his acts:

rescued the unjustly condemned from prison;
fought paganism;
denounced and converted heretics;
defended the city of Mira from hunger with the help of sincere prayer to the Lord;
by the power of prayer he rescued the crews of sinking ships from trouble;
answered all the requests and questions of the suffering.

Nikolai Ugodnik died, having lived for many years, a "deep" old man. The actual date of his death is not known. Historians believe that this happened around 341–351.

Nicholas the Wonderworker is recognized as the patron saint of children, and in Europe he is even called the prototype of Santa Claus. He is also favorable to travelers, all sailors, merchants and those who need a real miracle for healing.

The saint received such a name for his pleasing service to God. Nicholas the Pleasant prayed with such strength and faith that even after his death, his relics remained untouched by decay. They streamed myrrh, and hundreds of believers were healed from this grace.

May 22 - St. Nicholas Day - the Wonderworker is glorified and honored in a variety of churches and parishes. Believers on this holiday try to give up meat and eggs, laying tables with fish dishes.

Earlier, when agriculture was more developed, Christians organized mass processions with strings of icons and images on St. Nicholas of Veshny. Believers participated in the prayer service, asking for mercy and rain. Usually, religious processions ended in the fields or near water wells. It was believed that the merciful Nikolai could help in the fight against drought and bad weather.

Today, on this day, you can visit the temple, where a service will definitely be held. You can also pray at home, asking Nikolai Ugodnik for help in any business.

In the evening you need to gather the whole family for festive table and hold a common thanksgiving prayer saint for his intercession. This Christian celebration is not associated with tragic events, so you can celebrate easily and cheerfully.

On the day of the memory of Nikola Veshny, it’s worth doing nothing for yourself personally. Since the saint gave everything to people, then believers on such a day should give something to charity, give alms or money to build a church. Help is welcome for orphans and orphanages, as well as for poor families.

Saint Nicholas is celebrated on May 22 and December 19. It is customary to give gifts to each other on Nikola Zimniy. And during the spring celebration, you can limit yourself to beautiful greeting cards and verbal wishes for happiness, kindness and peace.

Saint Nicholas is revered by all Christians. He is very often remembered during daily services and is given a special place in the Christian hierarchy of saints.

There is a legend that when one peasant got stuck with his cart in the mud, he asked Saint Kasyan, who was passing by, for help. But he refused, referring to the fact that he was in a hurry to the Lord. When St. Nicholas passed next to the peasant, he helped him pull the cart out of the ditch and appeared to the Lord covered in mud. There the saint was asked why he got so dirty and delayed, to which he replied that he was helping the man. Since then, Nicholas the Pleasant has been praised twice a year, and the Christian Saint Kasyan once every four years.

There is also a legend about the winter holiday dedicated to St. Nicholas the Pleasant. Even during his lifetime, the saint learned that in his city there was a poor man who had decided on a terrible sin. To get out of poverty and marry two daughters, a man decided to send a third girl to a brothel. Then Nicholas the Wonderworker made his way to the poor man's house at night and threw him a bag of gold. The poor man could not believe his luck and married off his eldest daughter. Then Nikolai Ugodnik made his way into the poor man's house with a bag of gold for the second time, and the man played a wedding for his middle daughter. The poor man was wondering who his benefactor was? Therefore, for the third time, he tracked down the bishop and rushed after him to thank him for his unprecedented generosity. And then he also married his third daughter, Ros-Register became aware. Since then, on December 19, the custom of giving gifts and small souvenirs has been fixed, which are secretly placed at night near the fireplace or Christmas tree.

Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (spring) May 22, 2017: The Feast of St. Nicholas takes place three times a year. Dates are fixed, unlike some other church holidays. So, on August 11, it is customary to celebrate the birthday of Nicholas the Wonderworker, on December 19, the day of his death, and on May 22, the transfer of relics from the World of Lycian to Baria. This event took place back in 1087.

Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (spring) May 22, 2017: the history of the holiday, the meaning for the Orthodox

The birthplace of Nicholas the Wonderworker was the city of Patara, which was located in the region of Lycia and Asia Minor. Then it was a Greek colony. Nikolai's parents were wealthy people, but they believed in Christ and did not forget to help poor people.

From childhood, the saint spent a lot of time in the temple and completely devoted himself to faith. When Nikolai's parents died, he distributed the inheritance to the poor and continued his church ministry. Later, the saint ascended the episcopal throne in Mir. In our time, this city is called Demre and it is located in the province of Antalya, Turkey.

The people liked the newly-made archbishop, they loved him. After all, he was kind, fair and sympathetic. In addition, Nicholas also became famous for miracles. So, he saved the city of Mira from starvation, prayed and also helped the sailors, led the unjustly imprisoned out of prisons.

Exact date The death of Nicholas the Pleasant is not known, between 345 and 351, having lived to a ripe old age. His relics were incorruptible and first rested in cathedral church Worlds. They streamed myrrh, and the myrrh healed the believers.

Later, in 1087, part of the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker was transferred to the Italian city of Bari. A few years later, the rest of the relics were transported to Venice, and only a small particle is kept in Mirs to this day.

For many, St. Nicholas Day is a winter holiday, on which it is customary to give gifts to children. But this saint is to be venerated three days a year at once.

Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated not only on December 19 (the day of the death of Nicholas), but also on May 22 (the day his relics arrived in Bari, Italy), that is, this Monday. August 11 marks his birth. All these holidays are non-transitory, that is, their dates are fixed.

The people call these days, respectively, Nikola Winter, Nikola Autumn and Nikola Veshny (that is, spring), or Nikola Summer.

The saint is also called "Nikola Wet". This saint in all ages was considered the patron saint of sailors and all travelers in general. Therefore, when the temple in the name of St. Nicholas the Pleasant was built by sailors (often in gratitude for the miraculous rescue on the waters), the people called it "Nikola Wet".

Both December and May are extremely important for grain growers (\”Two Nicholas: one with grass, the other with frost\”).

St. Nicholas Day (spring) May 22, 2017: traditions, do's and don'ts
It is believed that on this church holiday you can’t do anything for yourself, but only help those who need it. Previously, people believed that if the orphans or the poor were not taken care of on this day, then within seven future years one could suffer losses.

Fasting on this day is not necessary, but earlier the Orthodox organized processions of the cross: they went to the fields with icons and performed prayers at the wells, asking God for rain.

According to tradition, it is not customary to give gifts to Nikola Veshny, they only do this to Winter Nikolai, but if you really want to, you can congratulate loved ones in words or send a postcard with the wishes of peace, goodness, health, deliverance from sorrows and conflicts, and a real miracle in life.

This festival is associated with the transfer of the relics of the archbishop from the town of Myra to a place called Bari. In Russia, this date is called Nikola Veshny, linking the Christian holiday with spring and the long-awaited changes.

The just and honest archbishop was greatly honored by the people. During his long life, St. Nicholas performed many miracles. To this day, information has come down to the following of his acts:

rescued the unjustly condemned from prison;
fought paganism;
denounced and converted heretics;
defended the city of Mira from hunger with the help of sincere prayer to the Lord;
by the power of prayer he rescued the crews of sinking ships from trouble;
answered all the requests and questions of the suffering.

Nikolai Ugodnik died, having lived for many years, a "deep" old man. The actual date of his death is not known. Historians believe that this happened around 341–351.

Who is patronized by an amazing and famous saint?

Why is Saint Nicholas called the Pleasant?

May 22 - St. Nicholas Day - the Wonderworker is glorified and honored in a variety of churches and parishes. Believers on this holiday try to give up meat and eggs, laying tables with fish dishes.

Today, on this day, you can visit the temple, where a service will definitely be held. You can also pray at home, asking Nikolai Ugodnik for help in any business.

In the evening, you need to gather the whole family at the festive table and hold a common prayer of thanksgiving to the saint for his intercession. This Christian celebration is not associated with tragic events, so you can celebrate easily and cheerfully.

The legend of the holiday

Saint Nicholas is revered by all Christians. He is very often remembered during daily services and is given a special place in the Christian hierarchy of saints.

There is also a legend about the winter holiday dedicated to St. Nicholas the Pleasant. Even during his lifetime, the saint learned that in his city there was a poor man who had decided on a terrible sin. To get out of poverty and marry two daughters, a man decided to send a third girl to a brothel. Then Nicholas the Wonderworker made his way to the poor man's house at night and threw him a bag of gold. The poor man could not believe his luck and married off his eldest daughter. Then Nikolai Ugodnik made his way into the poor man's house with a bag of gold for the second time, and the man played a wedding for his middle daughter. The poor man was wondering who his benefactor was? Therefore, for the third time, he tracked down the bishop and rushed after him to thank him for his unprecedented generosity. And then he married a third daughter. Since then, on December 19, the custom of giving gifts and small souvenirs has been fixed, which are secretly placed at night near the fireplace or Christmas tree.

During his earthly years, this saint performed many incredible miracles and accomplished a huge number of good deeds. He did not refuse to help either believers or pagans, prompting repentance in them and instructing them on the true path.

Believers know that May 22 is St. Nicholas Day. They gladly go to the service, remembering the intercession of the archbishop. And they believe that even after death, the saint protects them from heaven, gives them protection and hope for the healing of ailments. An amazing person and a saint popular among the people is equally known both in Russia and abroad. Many temples and churches were erected in his honor. He is known not only by Christians, but also by people of other faiths. The saint is remembered and glorified in his own by all believers in Orthodoxy and Catholics.

22nd of May Orthodox Church marks the day of the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas. In the people this day is lovingly called "Nikola Veshny".

Saint Nicholas is one of the most beloved saints; many churches have been erected in his honor. In every house there was always an icon of the saint, inextinguishable lamps were lit in front of it, people prayed before it for a successful marriage, for travelers, seafarers, for deliverance from slander. The Orthodox Church commemorates St. Nicholas every week: on Thursdays every week, along with the apostles.

Story

According to legend, St. Nicholas was born in the second half of the 3rd century in the city of Patara in Lycia (a historical region in Asia Minor) into a family of pious parents. Until a very old age, they did not have children and in unceasing prayer asked the Almighty to give them a son, promising to devote him to the service of God. Their prayer was heard: a son was born, who at baptism received the name Nicholas, which means in Greek "the conquering people."

The young man was brought up under the guidance of his uncle, the local bishop. As a vocation, Nicholas chose the service of God. Having gone from a junior church minister to a bishop, he became the archbishop of the city of Lycian Myra. Nicholas was distinguished by his love and compassion for people, he helped the poor and the destitute, giving away almost all the money he received. He left only the essentials for himself.

Once Nicholas secretly threw three bundles of gold into the house of a man who was in an extremely distressed situation and had to marry his three daughters to unloved suitors. The man fell into despair and decided to sacrifice the honor of his daughters and extract from their beauty the means necessary for a dowry. Saint Nicholas, vigilantly watching over the needs of his flock, received a revelation from God about his father's criminal intentions and decided to deliver him from poverty and spiritual death. At midnight, he threw gold out the window, and he himself hastily returned home. The father thanked God and was soon able to marry his eldest daughter. The second time was repeated by St. Nikolai was a benefactor, and on the third time the father decided at all costs to recognize his secret benefactor and thank him: when the saint threw the third bundle, the father caught up with him and fell at his feet, but the saint, out of deep humility, ordered not to tell anyone about happened.

For meekness and kindness, St. Nicholas won the great love of the people.

As it is said in the life of St. Nicholas, he traveled to Jerusalem. Having reached the ancient city, the saint ascended Golgotha, thanked the Savior of the human race and went around all the holy places, worshiping and praying. There is a legend that during a visit to the holy places of Palestine, St. Nicholas wished one night to pray in the temple; He approached the locked doors, and the doors opened of their own accord so that the Chosen One of God could enter the temple.

Returning to Lycia, the saint wanted to leave the world for the Zion monastery, but the Lord announced a different path awaiting him: “Nicholas, this is not the field on which you should bear the fruit I expect; go from here and go into the world, to the people, so that my name may be glorified in you!"

In obedience, Saint Nicholas withdrew from the monastery and chose not his city of Patara, where everyone knew him and paid him honors, but the great city of Myra, the capital and metropolis of the Lycian land, where, unknown to anyone, he could rather escape worldly glory. He lived like a beggar, had nowhere to lay his head, but inevitably attended all church services. After the death of Archbishop John, he was elected Bishop of the World of Lycia, after one of the bishops of the Council, who decided the issue of election, was indicated in a vision by God's chosen one - St. Nicholas.

Having become an archbishop, Nicholas remained the same great ascetic, showing his flock an image of meekness and love for people. It was especially dear to the Lycian church during the persecution of Christians under the emperor Diocletian (284 - 305). Bishop Nicholas, imprisoned along with other Christians, supported them and exhorted them to firmly endure the bonds, torture and torment. When Constantine Equal-to-the-Apostles came to power, Saint Nicholas returned to his flock.

Another significant event in the life of St. Nicholas became I Ecumenical Council, convened by Emperor Constantine in 325, when the heresy of Arius was spreading. (He rejected the deity of Christ and did not recognize Him as consubstantial with the Father.) There is a legend that during one of the conciliar sessions, unable to endure the blasphemy of Arius, Saint Nicholas struck this heretic on the cheek. The Fathers of the Council considered such an act inappropriate and deprived St. Nicholas of his episcopal rank and imprisoned him in a prison tower. But soon many of them had a vision when, before their eyes, our Lord Jesus Christ gave St. Nicholas the Gospel, and Holy Mother of God put an omophorion on him. Then St. Nikolai was released, his dignity was returned to him.

Even Muslim Turks have a deep respect for the saint: in the tower they still carefully keep the dungeon where this great man was imprisoned.

Having reached a ripe old age, in the year 345 Saint Nicholas died peacefully.

According to legend, his relics were kept incorruptible in the local cathedral church and exuded healing myrrh. In the XI century, the Turks began their attacks on the Greek Empire, during which the shrines of Christians - temples, relics and icons - were desecrated. There was an attempt to desecrate the relics of St. Nicholas, but a terrible storm with thunder and lightning did not allow this to be done.

In 1087, the merchants of the Italian city of Bari took the relics of St. Nicholas from the World of Lycia. They explained their action by the desire to save the Christian shrine from destruction by the Muslim Turks, who at that time were rampaging in the possessions of the Greek Empire in Asia Minor. There is also a legend that Nicholas appeared in a dream to a priest from the city of Bari and ordered to transfer his relics to this city.

Three ships were equipped to carry the relics. Presbyters and noble citizens under the guise of merchants went to Myra. Simultaneously with the inhabitants of Bari, the Venetians also went to Myra, who also wanted to transport the relics of Nicholas to themselves.

The inhabitants of Bari arrived in the Lycian land by circuitous routes, through Egypt and Palestine. Initially, they tried to bribe the monks and take the relics. But the monks began to resist, and then the nobles used force. The tomb was opened, and the relics were transported to Bari. The journey lasted 20 days and ended on May 9 (May 22 according to the new style).

The celebration of the transfer of the relics of Nicholas the Pleasant to the Church of St. Stephen in Bari was accompanied by numerous healings of the sick. A year later, a church was specially built in the city in the name of St. Nicholas, which was consecrated by Pope Urban II.

The Monk Nestor the Chronicler testifies that the first church in the name of St. Nicholas in Rus' was built in Kyiv as early as 882 - before the official adoption of Christianity.

Church tradition keeps evidence of many miracles performed through the prayers of Nicholas. The legend about how Nicholas of Myra saved three innocently condemned from death inspired Ilya Repin to paint the picture. The hallmarks of the saint's icon depict the miracles included in his biography.

But not only in books and chronicles one can read about the miracles of the saint: today the saint, as always, helps those who turn to him with prayer, and contemporary miracles of the saint occur no less often than in former times..

Based on the facts of St. Nicholas' lifetime assistance to all the poor and needy, people turn to him in difficult financial circumstances, and help comes unexpectedly soon.

Girls and married women pray to st. Nicholas about getting married safely and living with her husband in love and harmony.
Drivers, sailors and travelers alike are praying to avoid dangers on the road.
There are many cases where St. Nicholas saved drowning people.
Often the saint is resorted to as a defender of the unjustly offended and slandered.

The text of the prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker.

O all-holy Nicholas, the servant of the most beautiful Lord, our warm intercessor and everywhere in sorrow an urgent helper! Help me, a sinner and a dull one, in a real life, Beg the Lord God to grant me the remission of all my sins, I have sinned from my youth, in all my life, By deed, word, thought and all my feelings; And at the end of my soul, help me, the damned one, Beg the Lord God, Sodetel of all creatures, Deliver me from air ordeals and eternal torment; May I always glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, And your merciful intercession, Now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen!

Folk traditions and signs

Most of all, this holiday is known by the name of Nikola Veshny. Due to the fact that the transfer was made in the spring. Saint Nicholas is an image of meekness, an intercessor for the unjustly persecuted, an assistant to the poor, a liberator of all people who find themselves in "mournful circumstances": the patron saint of sailors and travelers. He is especially loved and respected. His image hangs in every temple.

This is one of the most revered holidays. Nicholas the Wonderworker is the protector and patron of the people. The good miracle worker Nicholas is dedicated to two holidays in the year: Spring and Winter (December 19). "One is herbal, the other is frosty."

Nikola is considered the closest saint to God. He is the mediator between God and people. They pray to him, calling for his help. "Saint Nicholas the Pleasant! Help me, Holy Miracle Worker! Cover me with your miracle and save me from all misfortunes!”

Sailors during storms on the waters carried the miraculous image of St. Nicholas on deck and prayed to him for their salvation. "Nikola will save the sea, Nikola will lift the peasant's cart."

Nikola's Day is considered a men's holiday. This is a ritual holiday. Nikola is revered as the patron saint of horses. On this day, "guys go for the first time at night." Prayers were ordered for the preservation of the herds.

They say among the people: "12 cold matinees remain from Nikola, which can be in the spring, or even until September 14." Plant potatoes from Nikola Veshny. “Since Nikola, the average time for sowing spring crops” (this data corresponds to the old style, i.e. May 9). "Until St. Nikola not this buckwheat, do not shear the sheep. "The alder blossomed - this buckwheat."

End of spring. Beginning of the Predlet (from May 22 to June 10). There may be thunderstorms and rain. "The rain in May raises bread." The lilac is blooming. Blooming yellow acacia, bare elm. Cherry blossoms, apple trees, plums, pears, and shadberries bloom in the gardens. Lilies of the valley, dandelions, forget-me-nots bloom. Time to collect dandelions for medicinal purposes, cooking medicinal jam.

“Nikola would come, but it would be warm. Be strong before Nikola, at least loosen up, do not grieve with Nikola. "Do not brag about St. George's day of sowing, but brag about grass on Nikolin's day." “Great is the mercy of God if it rains on Nikolin’s day.” The oats should already be weeded out. "Oats Mikolsky - neither master's nor horse" (i.e. sown late, and there will be no sense from it). The upcoming harvest of oats is judged by the behavior of frogs on Nikolin's day: "If frogs croak on Nikolay, oats will be good."

Until spring Nikola, hemp should not be soaked in water. You should not swim until spring Nikola.

One of the main events of Nikolin's day is the driving of horses into the field. Nikola spring - the holiday of grooms. On Nikolin's day, horses are driven out for repairs, for arable land, for night pasture. "Nikola in the spring will fatten the horse, in the autumn he will drive it into the yard."

What Not to Do

You can’t refuse Nikolai to anyone who asks you for help, otherwise, for refusing to help those in need, the family will endure poverty and disaster for 7 years.

On this day, any work is welcome: at home, around the house, in the garden and in the garden.

On this day, the hostesses tried to put things in order in the house, from the very morning they began to clean up, since the saint does not like disorder.

By the day of St. Nicholas, they tried to pay off all debts, otherwise it was believed that there would be no financial luck whole year.

It's a good omen if it's raining on Nicholas. Morning dew on Nicholas is considered healing, they try to wash themselves with it for beauty and health, to walk barefoot on the grass.

It has long been believed that St. Nicholas patronizes lovers, so the newlyweds and those who were going to play the wedding asked for protection and help from the saint.

Unmarried girls guessed at their betrothed on this holiday and asked the Saint to send them a good groom, a kind and faithful husband, a happy family life and kids.

On this day, there was a ban on picking up scissors, and now there is a sign not to cut your hair on Nikolai.

One of the most powerful Christian ascetics of piety was and remains the chosen one of God, whom believers affectionately call Nicholas. His name, as a rule, is pronounced with the obligatory addition "miracle worker", indicating the magical help provided by the saints to everyone who turns to a follower of Christ with a pure heart. You probably already guessed that we are talking about St. Nicholas of Mirlikiysky - a quick follower and owner of a good soul. To this saint Orthodox tradition there are three holidays a year. The date May 22 is designated in the Christian calendar as "Transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker from Mir Lycian to Bar". Among the people, this celebration is known under the name "St. Nicholas of the Spring".

Historical reference

The event underlying the establishment of a religious date took place in 1087. Then the merchants from Venice and Bari went to Antioch, on the way back they made a stop in the Lycian Worlds. They were driven by the intention to take possession of the relics of St. Nicholas, which were kept in the specified city. The merchants entered the temple, erected in the name of the chosen one of God, tied up the monks guarding the body of the saint, then dealt with the platform holding the tomb with the shrine, and removed the remains of the ascetic from the sarcophagus. Having plunged into the ships, the merchants sailed home. They ended up in the city of Bari on May 8, and already on the 9th, the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker were transferred with honors to the church of St. Stephen, which was located on the coast.

All the way from the starting point to the church, magical signs and miracles occurred, including the healing of the sick. This fact strengthened people in faith and aroused in their souls their reverent attitude towards the saint. A year later, a church was erected in this area, which was then consecrated in honor of Nicholas the Wonderworker. The rite was performed by Pope Urban II.

Today, the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker are in the Italian city of Bari, in the Basilica of St. Nicholas. Pilgrims from all over the world constantly flock here in need of the miraculous help of the great ascetic. The relics of Nicholas of Myra exude a fragrant myrrh that heals all who touch him.

Establishment of a holiday

After the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker ended up in Bari, religious celebrations dedicated to honoring the transfer of the incorruptible body of the ascetic took place for a long time exclusively in the specified city. The Christians of East and West did not join their brothers and sisters from the Italian town. Nor did the Greek Church. This state of affairs is explained not at all by the fact that the transfer of the relics of the saint was not known outside of Bari and the World of Lycia, but, quite likely, because of the sadness experienced by Christians on this occasion, because, by and large, the body of Nicholas the Wonderworker was stolen by Venetian merchants from his place initial storage. But in Rus', they willingly joined the tradition of celebrating the transfer of the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker to Bari. The Church decided to celebrate this event on May 9 (according to the Old Style), and this happened according to one version in 1091, according to another - in 1092, according to the third - around 1098. In any case, one thing is clear: the feast of the Transfer of the Relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was established at the official level exactly after 1087.

Currently, the holiday of May 22, the Transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, is celebrated not only by Russian, but also by Bulgarian Christians. Greeks and Serbs, who consider Nicholas the Wonderworker the patron of their own and their states, as well as Catholics, except for the inhabitants of Bari, ignore this holiday.

Names and date origins

The religious celebration dedicated to the transfer of the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker from the World of Lycian to Bari has many names. We are talking, of course, about the folk names of the holiday. Among them, the already mentioned "Spring Nicholas" and, alternatively, "Summer Nicholas" are especially popular today. These names are found in the records of ethnographers dating back to the 19th century. Less commonly used today, and even then only in remote villages, whose inhabitants are sacredly faithful to the traditions of their ancestors, the designations of the holiday "Grass Day", "Mikula with food", "Nikola with warmth", "Nikola herbal", "Nikola wet". All of them are also present in explanatory dictionary Dahl and are associated to a greater extent with proverbs hinting at weather signs.

As for the origin of the holiday of the Transfer of the Relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker, the version put forward by P.I. Melnikov, which he voiced in 1874. According to the latter, the emergence of a religious date occurred similarly to that in Rus' of other similar solemn days: in connection with the transfer of the veneration of pagan deities to the veneration of Orthodox saints, the translation of character traits Slavic mythology on the character of God's chosen ones. So, the celebration of the Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker on May 22 was timed to coincide with the feast of the Mother of the Raw Earth, Loving "Mikula and his family" (May 10 according to the old style). Hence the "survivability" folk names the dates mentioned above.

Brief life of Nicholas the Wonderworker

Nicholas the Wonderworker was born in the Lycian seaside town of Patara, on the territory of modern Turkey. The exact date of the birth of the ascetic of piety is unknown, only an approximate one is indicated: c. 270. His parents were noble Christians Theophanes and Nonna. The saint did not live long in Patara, since the boy's family soon moved to the port city of Mira. Here the whole life of the miracle worker passed.

Signs indicating the unusual nature of the child began immediately after the birth of the saint. He abstained from drinking mother's milk on fasting days, at baptism he stood for three hours in the font, and as a boy he spent a long time in prayer. When the parents of Nicholas departed to the Lord, the righteous man turned out to be a rich heir. But he distributed all the property and money to the poor and destitute, and often did good to the unfortunate secretly, not wanting to betray himself. Saint Nicholas led a pious life: he spent days in church, and at night he prayed at home and read sacred books. While still quite young, he was like an old man in the wisdom of his mind. God rewarded the young man for his sincere service to the faith of Christ. One bishop, after the death of the Archbishop of Myra, had a dream that a young man named Nikolay had to be chosen as the new pastor, who would enter the church on the first morning. This God-chosen youth turned out to be St. Nicholas.

During his earthly life, the ascetic performed many miracles. He healed the sick from mental and bodily ailments, resurrected the dead, aroused a feeling of sincere repentance in the souls of sinners, calmed sea storms and hurricanes with prayers. The saint even today provides magical help to believers who turn to him with prayers, and comes to the rescue soon. Most of all, Nicholas of Myra patronizes sailors, travelers, merchants, the poor, children and unmarried girls.

The saint died in the middle of the 4th century, around the year 345. By that time he was already an old man. I must say that the incorruptible relics of the saint are stored not only in the city of Bari - most of them are located there, but not all. There are remains of the saint in the archaeological museum of the Turkish city of Antalya, and on the Venetian island of Lido. Well, in Russian churches there are small particles of the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker.

We sincerely congratulate all Christians on the holiday of May 22, on the Transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker!