ST. NICHOLAS OF MYRA (DEC. 6TH)
St. Nicholas of Myra By Bp. Joseph ( Ancient Church of the West ) St. Nicholas is one of the most important saints of East and West, forming a pivotal role between sacred and secular, and anchoring some of the most important aspects of our Western Christmas season celebrations to the Orthodoxy of the Ancient Church. Nicholas was born to Greek parentage, was raised as a Christian without fanfare, and learned to become faithful through suffering by enduring the persecutions of Diocletian. It is said that he was imprisoned and tortured during this time, and was known for his bravery and humility, despite suffering facial disfigurement from the unjust and evil treatment he received. St. Nicholas became bishop by accident, walking into church to pray one early morning, not knowing that in the previous night, the elder clergy had settled a dispute about who would become the next bishop by declaring - “whoever first comes into the church next morning for prayer will be...
