Worship of saints and hope for their help in difficult life situations have always been and remain an unshakable tradition of Christianity. Many believers have “their own,” beloved defenders and intercessors, to whom they entrust their most secret thoughts and requests. First of all, these are the Most Holy Theotokos, Blessed Matrona, Ksenia of Petersburg, Seraphim of Sarov, Healer Panteleimon and others. Their names are often heard in prayers; lips fall to their icons.

But perhaps the most revered saint by the Russian people is Nicholas the Wonderworker. He is also called Nicholas the Pleasant and Saint Nicholas. After the Mother of God, he ranks second in the number of Orthodox and Catholic churches dedicated to him and built in his honor (Nicholas the Wonderworker is also revered by Catholics). In Russia alone you will find thousands of St. Nicholas churches scattered like precious stones throughout cities and villages. And how many there are around the world!

Nicholas the Wonderworker: life story and where he is buried

What special did this man do during his lifetime, and why did he become close and understandable to the hearts of millions of people? This can be learned from his biography. The future great saint was an unusual child from birth. He devoted himself to God early and served only him all his life, and he also loved people and helped every suffering person in any way he could.

He was born in 270 AD. e. in the Roman province of Lycia, in the city of Patara, in the south of the Asia Minor peninsula (thousands of Russians know this place as Antalya - a wonderful holiday destination on the Turkish coast). Nikolai was a long-awaited, late child in a prosperous Christian family. His mother was a sickly woman and could not have children for a long time. Together with their husband, they prayed to God to give them a child, and when they finally had a son, they immediately vowed to dedicate him to worship. After giving birth, the mother happily got rid of her illnesses, but Nikolai remained the only child - suffered through suffering and dearly loved.

From early childhood, Nikolai devoted a lot of time to the study of divine scripture. His close relative, the Bishop of Patara, observed the boy’s successes. He was pleased with the child’s desire to know God, he was proud of his nephew’s pious behavior, and a few years later he contributed to Nicholas’s elevation to the rank of priest. The flock fell in love with their young presbyter for his purity, mercy and readiness to help anyone. He often distributed things from his personal property to those in need, sharing money and food with them. He tried to hide his good deeds and in most cases provided support to people secretly.

However, some cases of his mercy received publicity. Many believers know the story of a bankrupt father of a family who, out of despair, was ready to offer each of his three daughters to any man willing to pay money. Having learned about this, Saint Nicholas filled three bags with gold and at night threw them into the poor man’s window, thus saving the family not only from hunger, but also from spiritual death.

And here is how the famous actor, priest Ivan Okhlobystin told the same story:

“It was like this: St. Nicholas’s neighbor went bankrupt and was ready to give his daughters in marriage to unloved but rich old men. When Saint Nicholas became aware of this unjust decision of his father, he collected all the gold of the church where he served as bishop in order to give it to his desperate father. Nikolai put the gold in a sock, and then threw it to his neighbor through the window.
The happy father paid off his debts, and his daughters were not harmed. It was around Christmas. This is how the tradition of hiding Christmas gifts for family and friends in socks was born.”

As a young priest, one day Nicholas decided to go to Jerusalem to venerate the holy places there. On the way, the ship on which he sailed almost got into a strong storm. But Nicholas the Wonderworker was able to predict the approaching storm in advance and pacify the raging sea with prayer. There, a tragic incident happened to one of the sailors: he fell from the mast and was broken, but thanks to the fervent prayers of Nikolai, the deceased was resurrected. These miracles were witnessed by pilgrims who sailed on the same ship.

Thus, during his lifetime, Saint Nicholas could change the fates of unfortunate people, and today they continue to do good and show mercy to everyone who sacredly believes in him.

Having visited Jerusalem and venerated the shrines associated with the deeds of the Son of God Jesus Christ on Earth, Saint Nicholas decided to retire to a monastery in the desert, but the voice of the Lord ordered him to return to his homeland, to Lycia.

Nicholas did not reach his native Patara, but settled in the town of Myra in Lycia, where he was soon elected archbishop. For his flock, this great man always remained a model of mercy, love for people and extraordinary modesty. During the reign of Emperor Diocletian (from 284 to 305 AD), he, along with other Christians, was imprisoned for his beliefs and spent 8 difficult years there.

After the accession of Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine to the throne, Nicholas returned to his temple, where the people sincerely rejoiced at meeting their mentor and intercessor. All his life, Nicholas, a man pleasing to God, was also pleasing to his flock, which grew far beyond the borders of the Lycian World.

In the same town, on December 6, 342, a great man, St. Nicholas, died and was laid to rest. His relics were kept in the city cathedral church for more than 700 years, healing the sick and suffering. In 1087, the main part of the relics was transported to the Italian city of Bari, and a small part of them to Venice. They are kept there to this day.

The life story of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is not limited to our short story. During his long and good life, he healed souls and wounds, preached Christian teaching everywhere and demonstrated at the same time strength and determination, meekness and humility. Today Saint Nicholas is considered the special patron of sailors, travelers, orphans and innocent prisoners.

The image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker on the icon is of great importance throughout the Christian world. Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, who became a great saint of God, is sincerely loved and revered by Catholics and Orthodox Christians. There is no Christian temple or house where there is no image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. His figure is often depicted next to the Lord Jesus Christ. The Orthodox Church celebrates the days of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker three times every year:

• The saint's birthday is August 11 (July 29, old style).
• The last day of his earthly life is December 19 (December 6, old style).
• The date of arrival of the saint’s relics in the city of Bari is May 22 (May 9, old style).

During his lifetime, the saint was famous for being a great helper to people in all their problems, so they come to him with fervent prayers to ask for assistance and protection. The Russian people have respected and venerated the saint for many centuries. Almost every city, even a small one, has a temple dedicated to St. Nicholas the Pleasant. This is the main cathedral of the northern capital of Russia - St. Petersburg, as well as the glorious Nikolskaya Tower, crowning the Moscow Kremlin.

The famous tower, erected in 1491, is associated with a miraculous event, the reality of which there is no doubt. The building was decorated with the face of the saint. 1917, when soldiers of Napoleon’s army committed outrages on the territory of Moscow, the enemies put the entire city to fire and sword. Despite severe damage and destruction, the image of St. Nicholas the Pleasant itself retained its integrity.

Life path of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

As the biography of Nicholas the Wonderworker testifies, he was born in the second half of the third century (about 280) in the city of Patara, Lycian region. At that time, these territories on the southern coast of the Asia Minor Peninsula were a Greek colony.

Childhood

Nicholas's parents were wealthy, pious people, so the boy received an elementary education and grew up as a worthy Christian. From a young age, he was distinguished from his peers by his seriousness, calmness, love for the wisdom of the books of the Holy Scriptures, and for church services. He spent days on end within the walls of the temple, and when night came, he read sacred books and prayed.

Service

Seeing the piety and spiritual aspirations of young Nicholas, his uncle, the Bishop of Patara, who was also called Nicholas, took him to church as a reader. A little later, he made the young man his assistant, ordained him to the rank of presbyter, and instructed him to teach the parishioners. Thus, Patar became the place where the Christian feat of carrying the Word of God of St. Nicholas the Pleasant began.

There is another version of the biography, according to which a very young priest immediately became the bishop of Myrrha by decision of the council of bishops of Lycia. Such a rapid ascent was possible in the 4th century. After the death of his father and mother, the young priest became the heir to the family fortune, using it entirely to help people in need. Moreover, he always performed good deeds and donations secretly, selflessly, avoiding gratitude and fame. The first years of service to the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker coincided with the years of the reign of the emperors Diocletian and Maximian (until 305), who systematically persecuted Christians. Persecution of followers of Jesus Christ in different regions of the Roman Empire continued until 306-311.

After making a pilgrimage to the shrines of Jerusalem, the Wonderworker wanted to become one of the Palestinian hermits, but by the will of the Lord he changed his mind. The Almighty appeared to the priest in a dream and revealed that his true purpose was to serve God in his native land. Amazing incidents happened already during the journey to the Holy Land. The young traveler was twice able to calm the stormy sea waters that threatened shipwreck, and brought back to life a sailor who had fallen from the mast.

Upon returning to the Lycian land, the saint, wishing to avoid fame and glory from the inhabitants of his native city, went to Myrrha (the center of Lycia). Just then the episcopal council was occupied with the issue of electing an archpastor. By God's will and the decision of the meeting, the position was given to Nicholas. Such a sudden rapid rise confused the priest and plunged him into confusion. Then, to strengthen faith and strength, the Lord came to the young man along with the Most Holy Theotokos. They handed Nicholas the Gospel and the omophorion, saying that they expected the priest not to serve as a hermit, but to glorify the Name of God. This miracle is often depicted in images of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

Despite his high, respected position, Archbishop Nicholas's lifestyle remained almost unchanged. He remained simple, modest, hardworking. Prayer and fasting took a lot of time. And the main concern of Nicholas the Wonderworker remained helping everyone who needed it: the poor, the rich, the healthy, the infirm, the young, the old.

Despite his modesty and purity, the saint, when necessary, became a zealous and persistent defender of the Church of Christ. Together with his comrades, he found temples, places of sacrifice of the pagans of Myrrh and suburban lands, destroyed them, destroying idols, actively attracting lost souls to the True Faith. In 325, the First Ecumenical Council took place (which adopted the Creed), and the saint was present among its active participants. Together with the glorious defenders of the Faith - Spyridon of Trimifuntsky, the Pope of Rome, Alexander of Alexandria, Saint Sylvester (and 312 other priests) - they resisted the aggressive attacks of the heretic Arius.

According to some sources, Nicholas gave the atheist a heavy slap in the face in front of everyone. For this act, the priest was temporarily deprived of the rank of bishop and then taken into custody. But the Lord miraculously delivered the defender of the Faith from unjust punishment. Later, while in the rank of archbishop, he himself freed Christians from captivity many times and even saved the lives of those who were innocently sentenced to execution. After his release and restoration to his rank, Saint Nicholas again returned to his duties, continuing to sow the word of the True Church, fighting for the purity of the Faith against those who wisely philosophize, heretics, and doubters. The priest eradicated the seeds of unbelief and doubt in order to strengthen the weak, healing their troubled souls.

Saint Nicholas passed away to a better world at an old age, approximately in the year 345-351. He lived a pious life, full of compassion and helping people, the priest was a generous, kind man. Serving the Lord and Faith became his meaning and calling not only during his earthly life, but even today. Saint Nicholas is revered as a great Christian helper in many countries of the world. The numerous miracles performed during his lifetime and the help given to believers have made the image of Nicholas truly legendary to this day.

Veneration of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Nicholas the Wonderworker is a saint especially revered by the Orthodox Church. The Italian A. Guagnini (16th century), traveling around Rus', testified that Russians honor Nicholas the Pleasant more than others, giving him honors almost the same as God. Of course, the foreigner slightly embellished the reality, but he noticed correctly - many Russian churches are dedicated to the saint, ordinary people often turn to his help and intercession. Numerous icons and new iconographic scenes associated with real miraculous incidents are clear confirmation of the saint’s participation in resolving the problems of believers.

Relics of St. Nicholas in Italy

The veneration of Nicholas the Wonderworker (Archbishop of Myra) in his homeland began shortly after his death (in the second half of the 4th century). Byzantium came to this later - by the 7th century. Thus, the Patriarch of Constantinople Simeon Metaphrastus, characterizing Saint Nicholas, wrote that he was an old man with an angelic face, on whom everyone saw the stamp of holiness and God’s grace. A bright radiance emanated from the image. The person who looked at him improved himself, became better. And saddened, suffering souls found consolation.

Many sought to take possession of the relics of the holy saint. Including residents of Bari. Thus, they wanted to return their city to the significance of a spiritual center. The Barians came to the burial place of the Wonderworker and offered to give the relics to the monks for a reward. When the monks refused, the Italians tied them up. The relics of Saint Nicholas left the tomb with a sarcophagus filled with ointment in Myra Lycia, after which they were transported by ship to Bari (in the south of Italy).

The ships landed on the shores of Bari on May 9. The relics were solemnly transferred to the nearby Church of St. Stephen. During the procession, miraculous healings took place, which increased the joy and spiritual uplift of the townspeople who greeted the relics. One year later, under the leadership of the abbot of the Benedictine monastery, Elijah, a new church, the Basilica of St. Nicholas, was erected and consecrated specifically to house the holy relics. The relics of the saint are kept here to this day.

Iconography of the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Almost immediately after the Baptism of Rus' (11th century), the veneration of St. Nicholas the Pleasant spread everywhere. The earliest image of the saint is the painting of the Church of Hagia Sophia in Kyiv. Of interest is the fresco of the Kyiv St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery (located in the Tretyakov Gallery). In the image, the saint stands at full height, blessing everyone with his right hand, and holding an open Gospel with his left

Another ancient way of depicting St. Nicholas is from the waist up. The saint holds a closed Gospel with his left hand. Byzantine iconographers, working from the 11th to the 13th centuries, were the first to paint such images. A Russian icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker of this type formerly belonged to the Novodevichy Convent (Smolensk Cathedral). An ancient image of the 12th century came to Moscow from Novgorod thanks to Ivan the Terrible. Now the holy face is kept in the Tretyakov Gallery.

The images of St. Nicholas the Pleasant of the Smolensk Cathedral attract with their images in the margins. The center of the upper part demonstrates the prepared Throne (symbol of the second coming); on both sides of Nikolai are Damian and Kosma. The side fields are painted with three rows of saints: full-length Saints Boris and Gleb with martyr's crosses and swords in sheaths; martyrs Laurus and Frol; holy women-martyrs, revered by the Novgorod land, the venerable martyr Domna and Evdokia; Photinia and Paraskeva (shoulder-shaped). The State Russian Museum today houses the Novgorod Icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (from the Holy Spirit Monastery), the image was painted around the middle of the 13th century. Its composition also includes images of locally revered saints of the city of Novgorod.

Samples of icons of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker from the 11th to 14th centuries form the tradition of hagiographic icons of the saint. Images with scenes from the life of the saint became widespread in Italy, Rus', and the Balkans. The most ancient hagiographic Russian icons are considered to be the Novgorod image of the Lyuboni churchyard, dating back to the 14th century, as well as the Kolomna icon of St. Nicholas in the treasury of the Tretyakov Gallery.

If we compare the popularity of the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in different countries of the Christian world, then it is greatest in Russia. Therefore, you can often hear that this is a truly Russian saint. Perhaps because his image is multifaceted: a saint, a support of the Church, a fighter against heresy, a patron of rulers, travelers and a defender of the poor, an intercessor for all the unfortunate.

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker(Nicholas the Pleasant, also St. Nicholas - Archbishop of Myra in Lycia) is one of the most revered saints in the Orthodox world. He became famous as the great Pleasant of God. Believers not only of the Orthodox, but also of the Catholic and other churches pray to him.

The whole life of Saint Nicholas is service to God. From the day he was born, he showed people the light of the future glory of the great miracle worker. created the saint of God on earth and sea. He helped people in trouble, saved them from drowning, freed them from captivity and saved them from death. Nicholas the Wonderworker gave many healings for illnesses and bodily ailments. He enriched the needy in extreme poverty, served food to the hungry, and was a ready helper, prompt intercessor and defender to everyone in every need.

And today he also helps those who call on him and delivers them from troubles. It is impossible to count his miracles. This great miracle worker is known to the East and West, and his miracles are known to all ends of the earth. Numerous churches and monasteries are erected in honor of St. Nicholas, and children are named after him at Baptism. Numerous miraculous works have been preserved in the Orthodox Church.

Brief biography of St. Nicholas

It is known that Nicholas the Wonderworker was born on August 11 (July 29, old style) in the second half of the 3rd century (about 270) in the city of Patara, Lycian region (Greek colony of the Roman Empire). His parents were pious Christians from a noble family. Until they were very old, they had no children and asked in prayers to the Lord for the gift of a son, promising to devote him to the service of God. Their prayer was heard and a baby was born, who was given the name Nikolai ( Greek"victorious people")

Already in the first days of his infancy, the future Wonderworker showed that he was destined for special service to the Lord. A legend has been preserved that during baptism, when the ceremony was very long, he, supported by no one, stood in the font for three hours. From childhood, Nikolai excelled in studying Scripture, praying, fasting and reading divine books.

His uncle, Bishop Nicholas of Patara, rejoicing at the spiritual success and high piety of his nephew, made him a reader, and then elevated Nicholas to the rank of priest, making him his assistant. While serving the Lord, the young man was burning in spirit, and in his experience in matters of faith he was like an old man, which aroused the surprise and deep respect of the believers. Constantly working, Presbyter Nicholas showed great mercy to people, coming to the aid of those in need.

Once, having learned about the poverty of one resident of the city, Saint Nicholas saved him from a great sin. Having three adult daughters, the desperate father plotted to give them over to fornication in order to obtain the funds needed for their dowry. The saint, grieving for the dying sinner, secretly threw three bags of gold out his window at night and thereby saved the family from fall and spiritual death.

One day Saint Nicholas went to Palestine. While traveling on the ship, he showed the gift of deep miracles: with the power of his prayer he pacified a strong storm. Here on the ship he performed a great miracle, resurrecting a sailor who had fallen from the mast onto the deck and died. On the way, the ship often landed on the shore. Nicholas the Wonderworker everywhere took care to heal the ailments of local residents: he healed some of their illnesses, expelled evil spirits from others, and gave consolation to others in their sorrows.

By the will of the Lord, Saint Nicholas was elected Archbishop of Myra in Lycia. This happened after one of the bishops of the Council, which was deciding the issue of electing a new archbishop, was shown in a vision the chosen one of God. It was Nicholas the Wonderworker. Having received the rank of bishop, the saint remained the same great ascetic, presenting an image of meekness, gentleness and love for people.

But the days of testing were approaching. The Church of Christ was persecuted by the emperor Diocletian (285-30).

During these difficult days, Saint Nicholas supported his flock in the faith, loudly and openly preaching the name of God, for which he was imprisoned, where he did not cease to strengthen the faith among the prisoners and confirmed them in a strong confession of the Lord, so that they would be ready to suffer for Christ.

Diocletian's successor Galerius stopped the persecution. Saint Nicholas, upon leaving prison, again occupied the See of Myra and with even greater zeal devoted himself to the fulfillment of his high duties. He became famous especially for his zeal for the eradication of paganism and heresies.

Wanting to establish peace in the flock of Christ, shocked by the heresy of Ariev’s false teaching, the Equal-to-the-Apostles Emperor Constantine convened the First Ecumenical Council of 325 in Nicaea, where three hundred and eighteen bishops gathered under the chairmanship of the emperor; here the teachings of Arius and his followers were condemned. Saint Athanasius of Alexandria and Saint Nicholas especially labored at this Council.

Upon his return from the Council, Saint Nicholas continued his beneficial pastoral work in building the Church of Christ: he confirmed Christians in the faith, converted pagans to the true faith and admonished heretics, thereby saving them from destruction.

During his lifetime, Saint Nicholas performed many virtues. Of these, the saint received the greatest glory from his deliverance from death of three men who were unjustly condemned by the self-interested mayor. The saint boldly approached the executioner and held his sword, which was already raised above the heads of the condemned. The mayor, convicted by Nicholas the Wonderworker of untruth, repented and asked for forgiveness.

More than once the saint saved those drowning in the sea, and brought them out of captivity and imprisonment in dungeons. Through the prayers of the saint, the city of Myra was saved from severe famine. Having reached a ripe old age, Nicholas the Wonderworker peacefully departed to the Lord on December 19 (according to modern times) 342 years old. It was in the cathedral church of Myra of Lycia and exuded healing myrrh ( approx. fragrant oil), from which many received healing.

Monuments to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker

Many monuments to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker have been erected around the world. Many beautiful monuments were created in Europe, for example, in the city of Bari, Italy ( see photo below), where the temple of St. Nicholas and his relics is located. Many beautiful creations in honor of the saint were erected in the cities of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. Photos of some of them are presented in the photo gallery.

Days of memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

December 19th(6th Art.) - the day of remembrance of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, established in honor of his death.

22nd of May(9th according to Art. Art.) - the day of transfer to the city of Bari from Myra Lycia (happened in 1087).

11th August- Nativity Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia.

The Holy Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Nicholas not only on December 19 and May 22, but also weekly, every Thursday, with special chants. The fact is that on Thursday the Church glorifies the apostles, that is, those who especially served to spread the Light of Christ throughout the earth. It is obvious that Nicholas the Wonderworker, the most vivid of all the successors of the apostolic ministry - the saints, preaches the Lord and the Christian faith with his earthly and heavenly life.

It is worth noting that in the Orthodox Church, in addition to the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the birthdays of only three holy people are celebrated - the Most Holy Theotokos, John the Baptist and St. Nicholas.

Nikolai Ugodnik is one of the most revered saints in Rus'. His name means “conqueror of the people.” During his lifetime he became famous for his miracles, which continue to this day. After death, the relics of the saint began to flow myrrh, and this myrrh has healing properties, which made it possible to heal many people from terrible ailments.

For a long time, Nikolai Ugodnik has been considered the patron saint of children. There is a belief that on Christmas night he rides around on a white horse and rewards good children with various gifts.

How does Nikolai Ugodnik help?

The clergy say that this saint hears everyone who turns to him from a pure heart. To do this, it is not necessary to read special prayers; you can simply say in your own words what you consider necessary.

How does the icon of St. Nicholas the Ugodnik help:

To summarize what Saint Nicholas the Pleasant helps with, it is worth saying that he gives a person the strength to cope with various problems, this applies to any area of ​​life: family, finances, communications, etc.

Nicholas the Wonderworker is one of the most revered saints in Rus'. Believers often turn to him to pray for the health of their family and friends, as well as in any difficult life situations. According to the majority, the saint is fair, has enormous strength and a large forgiving heart, often responds to the prayers of believers and comes to those in need in dreams.

Born in the city of Patras. While still a baby and a miraculous child chosen for a divine mission, he refused to drink his mother's milk on Wednesdays and Fridays. These are special days when Christians around the world fast and do not eat dairy or meat products.

The gift of miracles was sent to Nicholas from an early age. His name is surrounded by a huge number of legends. Church literature describes many cases of helping people.

Important! What is Father Herman and how to get there

Being a bishop in the city of Mirra and reaching middle age, the number of legends about the saint increased more and more. His intercession for husbands in Mirra, saving many girls from entering the path of debauchery and vice, and of course, a miraculous appearance after repose before the ruler of Constantinople.

The saint does not stop working miracles even after his death, which is why believers still turn to him. Nikola is revered and known not only in the Orthodox Christian world, but even among Muslims and representatives of other religious denominations.

Note! In 1807, the holy relics were transferred to the Italian city of Bari, where they remain to this day in the crypt of the Basilica of St. Nicholas.

The miraculous help of a saint

The icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker helps in some ways. This is an extraordinary phenomenon in Orthodox icon painting. Through the image, the artist tries not only to acquaint believers with the face of the Saint, but also to help each of them find their own path to spiritual transformation and purification, therefore the significance of the icon for all Orthodox Christians is very great.

This is evidenced by the stories of believers that the main images in their homes are the images of Christ the Savior, the Mother of God and St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. This triple alliance protects the homes of believers throughout Russia everywhere.

What to ask the saint for, what does St. Nicholas the Wonderworker help with. Most often, his patronage helps in serious illnesses, difficult life ups and downs, and when difficulties arise that are difficult to understand without outside help.

They call on the name of the saint and pray for help:

1. Travelers.
2. Sailors - stop the storm and send good weather. The legend that at a young age Nikolai was able to resurrect a sailor who fell from the mast in early childhood did not appear by chance. The miraculous gift for resurrection and prediction already distinguished the saint.
3. People who are in great enmity. The saint of God pacifies the anger of enemies and helps to overcome the own rage of those praying.
4. Suffering from unrequited love or lack thereof. On the day of marriage, many mothers place an icon under the bride’s pillow and order a prayer service for their daughter’s marriage.
5. Those who want to reform and are in prison. According to legend, his image appeared to prisoners in prison and saved them from death and execution.
6. Young mothers. The saint preserves pregnancy and facilitates childbirth. There are a huge number of stories from parishioners who prayed for their unborn child.

Nicholas the Wonderworker himself, unfortunately, did not have children, and early became a monk and hermit. But he had many nephews, whom he loved very much, and always helped with kind words and wise advice.

Before the image, believers can ask for the salvation of loved ones and relatives in order to protect them from mortal danger.

The most famous was the story of Elena Bestuzheva about the healing of her father during the war. Lena’s grandmother constantly prayed in front of the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker for her son, who was sent to the front.

And one day, during a big firefight, the son, Lena’s future father, was sitting in a trench. And suddenly he heard a man’s voice behind him: “Vanya, run, run!” The guy suddenly jumped up and ran, after which a bomb hit this trench, which miraculously exploded after he escaped.

Many miracles were associated with the great standing of Zoya, which took place in Samara at the beginning of the 20th century. A huge amount of documentary evidence of this event has been collected, and although much is now forgotten, in Samara they even erected a monument to the Great Standing of Zoya, which lasted from Christmastide until the beginning of Bright Week.

According to legend, the girl froze with the icon in her hands, extremely disrespectfully inviting the saint to dance instead of her betrothed, who did not come. Zoya froze in place and stood like a stone statue until the elder saw repentance in her soul and released the girl on Easter Sunday.

According to eyewitnesses, on Holy Days, a little old man appeared in a house cordoned off by police, who magically walked up to the girl and asked if she was tired of standing. After this, Zoya came to life and ceased to be a stone statue that could not be cut down even with an ax. This miracle showed a heightened sense of justice and correctness of the saint, who is one of the strictest saints close to the throne of God.

The emergence of an image

The history of the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is as follows. The image looks different and has two main ways of depiction - half-length and full-length; there is also an icon of St. Nicholas of Mozhaisk, on which the saint is depicted holding a fortress in his left hand and a sword in his left.

This is the protector of all captives and those who need protection for their households.

Each of the icons has subtypes that have been formed over time. Usually the saint holds a closed Gospel in his hand, and very rarely one comes across iconographic images where the Saint does not take the divine book in his hands, but, on the contrary, blesses the believers by placing the sign of the cross.

Life-size icons of the Wonderworker with the closed gospel and with that same gesture blessing the believers were painted back in Byzantium. Nicholas is depicted on the icon as a saint, for whom life is a prayer for people.

In Russia there is an icon called Nikola Zaraisky, which was brought from Korsun in 1225. Another famous image is Nikola Mozhaisky with a sword and fortress. This is an independent image that describes the saint as the patron of Orthodox cities.

The saint is a prototype of the guardian of the city of Mozhaisk during the attack of numerous hordes of Horde nomads. During one of the raids, residents clearly saw the image of St. Nicholas hovering over the monastery and the invaders. The enemies were seized by animal fear, and they fled without starting the siege. Since then, the icon began its circulation, first around the city among the residents of Mozhaisk, and then throughout the Russian land.

Interesting! What does it mean: what is its meaning and what does it help with?

Celebration of Remembrance

The name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is remembered several times a year:

• On December 6, or December 19 according to the new style, St. Nicholas the Winter is venerated;
• May 9 or May 22 according to the new style Nikola Spring. This day was established in honor of the transfer of holy relics to the Italian city of Bari;
• July 29 or August 11 according to the new style is the Nativity of the Saint, which is also revered among believers.

Location of icons

Almost every Russian knows where the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is located.

Entering any of the Orthodox churches in the world, you can find this holy image in one of the places of honor:

1. In the Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Savior there is an image painted in Bari near the basilica with relics.
2. The Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist has one of the most beautiful and revered iconographic images of the life of the saint on Presnya.
3. The image can also be seen in the Cathedral of Christ the Transfiguration.
4. The image also rests in the Melekhov Cathedral, where the holy face with a particle of relics is presented, as well as an icon with the Great Martyr Barbara and Saint Basil the Great.
5. In the Church of the Holy Trinity “Kulich and Easter” you can see another icon of Nikola Kolpinsky.

Photos of the icon can be found on the Internet.

Prayers

For believers, reading prayers to the holy Wonderworker is an act of not only worship, but also purification. There are several well-known prayers to God's saint.

In the first, believers admire his good deeds and turn to him as their second heavenly father.

People pray in front of the icon that all Christians and defenders of the faith, as well as those who are sick, go on sea voyages, wander around the world, the poor, the orphaned and the hungry, find happiness and are honored to see the glory of heaven. This prayer is read by travelers and those who are constantly on the move.

The next prayer to the holy saint is more personalized, because each person asks for forgiveness of sins, protection from the evil that settles in human hearts, and help in different life situations.

Important! So that all the feelings and thoughts of the person praying are purified, and ordeals and eternal torment never touch the immortal soul, you need to ask Nicholas with all your heart.

In fact, there are a huge number of prayers. Even if you do not know the full text of the prayer, you can simply ask from the bottom of your heart for the gift of prudence and hope, so as not to commit any more sins or have unclean thoughts.

Useful video

Conclusion

The holy image is considered one of the most revered, known in the Orthodox Christian world. The saint reconciles those at war, protects the innocently convicted and saves them from needless death. Patronizes sailors and all travelers.

To help you find your lover and safely maintain your pregnancy, to cleanse your soul from mental sorrow and illness - you can pray for everything near the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The most important condition for this is faith, then you can count on great divine help.

In contact with