Justin Appel
Dear Friends in Christ,
Happy Saint Nicholas Day!
If you are like my family, you have left some shoes outside overnight and found them filled with things like thin chocolate coins and small oranges, or various sweet things to mark this feast day. This favorite Saint Nicholas tradition recalls the stories about this saint's miracles and good deeds—in this particular case, how he showed kindness and generosity to a poor family in his city, saving the daughters from slavery. It is wonderful to think of this kindness prompting our traditions regarding stockings and of gifts being sent down chimneys at Christmas so many years later.
If you want to learn more about this beloved saint, there is an excellent online resource, the St Nicholas Center, or this short documentary, largely narrated by priests! Or, if you only have a few minutes, try this short trailer from the Saint Nicholas Center, outlining the main stories and patronage of Saint Nicholas. The illustrations are fantastic.
Musically, this is an opportunity to refer to Arvo Pärt’s setting of the troparion (a short Byzantine hymn) for the feast of Saint Nicholas. The text and link to the music are below.
A blessed feast to you all!
—Justin
A rule of faith and a model of meekness, a teacher of abstinence hath the reality shewn thee unto thy flock; therewithal hast thou acquired: by humility—greatness, by poverty—riches; O Father hierarch Nicholas, intercede before Christ the God that our souls may be saved.
O Holy Saint Nicholas, pray unto God for us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now, and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.