The Goodness of Saint Nicholas as We Remember from Childhood
Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas — a saint whose life continues to inspire. He holds a special place in our tradition and spiritual life, for in his person we see a union of fidelity to truth, compassion, and love for one’s neighbor.
Nicholas was steadfast in his beliefs and always defended the truth.
He remained unwavering in his convictions, consistently standing up for what was right. From apocryphal sources, we know that he was present at the First Council of Nicaea, where intense discussions took place about the nature of Christ. On one side, Arius claimed that the Son of God was the first and highest created being and that "there was a time when He was not," implying that Christ is not eternal and fully God. Other Church Fathers, including Nicholas, insisted that the Son is eternal, uncreated, and consubstantial with the Father. This debate touched the very essence of faith: if Christ is not God, salvation is impossible, for only God can save humanity. According to legend, Nicholas allegedly rose from his seat and struck Arius, who denied Christ’s divinity. Even if this story is apocryphal, it illustrates an important idea: Nicholas as a defender of truth. In Christian art, this scene is often depicted as a symbol of courage and steadfastness against falsehood. The image of Nicholas as a teacher reminds us that faith is not merely a symbol but a living choice, one that sometimes requires bravery.
Nicholas — a Teacher of Love
Beyond defending the faith, tradition tells us that Nicholas actively cared for the poor, widows, orphans, and those unable to provide for themselves. This aspect of the saint’s life is a call to follow his example—a call to give, to help, and to step beyond ourselves.
Today, our prayers and petitions—both from children and adults—should not only concern material needs, but also those areas in which the saint is a great helper: assistance in times of difficulty, protection for the oppressed, and justice for the marginalized. Such a faith—spiritual, deep, and lived—is the true legacy of Saint Nicholas.
In our tradition, Saint Nicholas holds a special place of honor. Perhaps that is why, among the 64 parishes of our Archeparchy, as many as eight have chosen him as their patron and model of Christian living. Two of our Catholic schools also bear the name of this great Wonderworker.
May Saint Nicholas, in a special way today, extend his protection to the priests and faithful of these communities, granting them spiritual strength, joy, and renewed inspiration for every good work.
