25^th Sunday after Pentecost

Христос Међу Нама! Christ is in our midst! Cristo esta' entra nosotros!

On the Good Samaritan

Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh

In the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

I want to attract you attention to two or three of the features of today's parable. We are told that a man was on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho. In the Old Testament Jerusalem was the place where God lived; it was the place of worship, the place of prayer. And he was now on the way down to the plain, down from the mountain of vision to where human life takes place.

And on the way he was attacked, stripped of his clothes, wounded and lay on the wayside. And three men came one after the other following the same road. The three had been where God lives, the three had been in the place of worship, adoration and prayer. And two of them passed him by. The text is so vivid when it says that the priest simply passed by; it does not even indicate that he cast a glance on him. He was a man vested with high authority, he had nothing to do with common human needs - at least that is what he thought; he had learned nothing from praying to the God Who is love itself. And then another man came, a Levite, a man versed in the knowledge of the Scriptures, but not in the knowledge of God. He came, he stood above this man wounded and dying - and continued his way. His mind was on higher things than a human life, than human suffering - as he thought.

And then came a man, a man who in the eyes of the Jews was despicable simply by being what he was; not for his personal moral or other defects, but because he was a Samaritan - an outcast, what Indians would call a pariah. And this man stopped over the wounded man because he knew what it was to be rejected, he knew what it was to be alone, to be passed by others in contempt and at times in hatred. And he bent over this man, he did what he could to heal his wounds, he took him to a place of rest; and all this he did at his own cost. Not only he paid the hostelry for the hospitality which they were bestowing on the wounded man; but he gave his time, he gave his mind, he gave his heart. He paid the cost in all ways in which we can pay the cost of being attentive to people around us.

We have spent a whole morning in God's own presence, in the place where He lives; we have heard His voice speaking to us about love; we have proclaimed that we believe that God Who is Love itself, the God Who gave His Only-Begotten Son that each of us, and not all of us collectively, but each of us personally might be saved. And we are going to leave this church; we will meet more than one person in the course of the coming week or until at a later date we come again to church. Are we going to be like the priest or the Levite? Pondering on what we have learned here, keeping in our hearts the wonder and the joy, but passing by everyone because to care for things lesser might disturb our peace, take our mind and heart away from this sense of the marvel of having seen God, of having been in His presence? If we do this, then we have understood little, if anything, of the Gospel, of Christ, of God. And if we ask like the young man, or the lawyer, ‘But who is my neighbour? Who is he for whose sake I must be prepared to let go of the deepest feelings of my heart, of the most lofty concern of my mind, of the best I feel within me? - the answer of Christ is direct and simple: anyone! Anyone who is in need of you on any possible level; on the simplest level of food or shelter, of gentleness and kindness, of thoughtfulness and friendliness.

And if one day - and it may never come, but may come at any moment - more is asked, then we must be prepared to love our neighbour as Christ has taught us: with the readiness to lay down our lives for him. It is not a matter of giving one's life in the sense of being killed; it's a question of giving day in and day out our concern to all those who are in need of concern; those who sorrow need consolation; those who are lost need strength and support; those who are hungry need food; those who are destitute may need clothes; and those who are in spiritual disarray may need a word that streams from that very faith which we receive here and which is our life.

Let us therefore go from this place remembering this parable not as one of the most beautiful things which Christ has said, but as a direct itinerary, a direct way in which He calls us to be and to treat one another and to look round with attentive eyes, remembering that at times the smallest kindness, one warm word, one attentive gesture may make all the difference to the life of a person who is alone to face his or her own life. May God help us to be like the Good Samaritan on all levels and to all people. Amen.

 Commemorating Prophet Habakkuk, St Stefan Urosh King of Serbia, Saints John, Heraclemon, Andrew and Theophilus of Egypt, St Jesse Bishop of Tsilkani Georgia, St Porphyrios Wonderworker of Kavsokaliva

Martyr Myrope of Chios, Venerable Joanikije of Dević, Venerable Alexei, Venerable Athanasius “the Resurrected One” Recluse of the Kiev Near Caves, Venerable Athanasius the Recluse of the Kiev Caves

RESURRECTION TROPARION—TONE 8

You descended from on high, O Merciful One! You accepted the three day burial to free us from our sufferings! O Lord, our Life and Resurrection, glory to You!

HOLY FATHER NICHOLAS TROPARION—TONE 4

Truly you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith, an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence; your humility exalted you; your poverty enriched you. Hierarch Father Nicholas, entreat Christ our God that our souls may be saved.

PROPHET HABAKKUK TROPARION—TONE 2

We celebrate the memory of Your prophet Habakkuk, O Lord; through him we entreat You, save our souls.

RESURRECTION KONTAKION—TONE 8

By rising from the tomb, You raised the dead and resurrected Adam. Eve exults in Your Resurrection, and the world celebrates Your rising from the dead, O greatly Merciful One!

HYMN TO THE MOTHER OF GOD KONTAKION—TONE 6

Steadfast Protectress of Christians and constant Advocate before the Creator; despise not the cry of us sinners, but come speedily to help those who call on You in faith. Hasten to hear our petition and to intercede for us, O Theotokos, for You always protect those who honor You!

READERS:

This Week: Matins: Milan Radanovic Epistle: Dasha Gencturk

Next Week: Matins: Lenny Tepsich Epistle: Aleksandra Saran

EPISTLE: Ephesians 4:1-6

DEACON:      Let us pay attention. 

PRIEST:        Peace be unto all!

READER:      And with your spirit!

DEACON:      Wisdom.

READER:      The Prokeimenon in the Eighth Tone: Pray and make your vows before the Lord, our God!

CHOIR:          Pray and make your vows before the Lord, our God!

READER:      v: In Judah God is known; His name is great in Israel.

CHOIR: Pray and make your vows before the Lord, our God!

READER: Pray and make your vows...

CHOIR: ...before the Lord, our God!

PRIEST: Wisdom!

READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Ephesians.

DEACON: Let us attend!

READER: Brothers and Sisters, I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!

READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

READER: Come, let us rejoice in the Lord! Let us make a joyful noise to God our Savior!

CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

READER: Let us come before His face with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!

CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

АПОСТОЛ: Ефесцима 4:1-6

Ђакон:          Пазимо

Свештеник: Мир свима!

Читач:           I Духу Твоме!

Ђакон:          Премудрост

Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 8 Молите се и извршујте завете Господу Богу нашему.

Хор:                Молите се и извршујте завете Господу Богу нашему.

Читач: Зна се у Јудеји за Бога, у Израиљу је велико име Његово.

Хор: Молите се и извршујте завете Господу Богу нашему.

Читач: Молите се и извршујте завјете

Хор: Господу Богу нашему.

Ђакон: Премудрост

Читач: Читање посланице Светога апостола Павла Ефесцима

Ђакон: Пазимо

Читач: Браћо, молим вас, дакле, ја сужањ у Господу, да се владате достојно звања на које сте позвани, са сваком смиреношћу и кротошћу, са дуготрпљењем, подносећи један другога у љубави, старајући се да чувате јединство Духа свезом мира: Једно тијело, један Дух, као што сте и позвани у једну наду звања својега; Један Господ, једна вјера, једно крштење, један Бог и Отац свију, који је над свима, кроза све, и у свима нама.

Свештеник: Мир ти читачу!

Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

Читач: Ходите, запевајте Господу, ускликнимо Спаситељу Богу нашему.

Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

Читач: Изиђимо пред лице Његово с хвалом, у песмама ускликнимо му.

Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

~Pomen to be Offered~

Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!

†RADE, †ANA, †MILAN, †EVELYN, †PETAR, †JELENA, †STEVO, †LJUBICA, †NIKOLA, †MILKA, †DRAGAN, †MARIJA, †DANILO, †DANICA, †ZARKO, †PETAR, †BRANKO, †DARINKA, †NEVANKA, †NIKOLA, †DAVID, †MICHAEL, †LINDA  Offered this Wednesday (Dec 18), as we observe our Krsna Slava we treasure memories of departed family members and pray for their peaceful repose. Offered in loving memory by the Yanich & Matich family. 

†MILE, †ANDJELIJA, †PAVLE MRAOVIC & †PAVLE, †PAOLINA, †BRANKO KOBAC & †MITCH & †LJUBICA KOBAC ZUNICH Offered this Wednesday (Dec 18), as we observe our Krsna Slava we pray for the blessed repose of our family members. Offered in loving memory by Beba Yanich & family.

~Vigils Offered~

DORI & DOUG BERT Offered in celebration of their Wedding Anniversary (Dec 18). Given in love by Mom & family with God’s blessings for many more! Mnogaja Ljeta! 



CHRISTOPHER BAKER Offered by Chris & Jevi Radanovic during his deployment. Praying for all of our Christ loving soldiers, families and their service to our country.

TOOTSIE KRNJAICH Offering vigils and prayers for our Kuma Tootsie. May God’s blessings be with her during her rehab period. From her Godchildren, Kat and families.

MICHAEL GEPPERT Offered prayerfully by Mom & Dad for improvement in health and God’s blessings and loving care during his recovery.

†GRIGORIJ RADCZENKO Offered in loving memory of our dear papa/grandfather/great grandfather’s repose (9 years—Dec 18). We love you dearly and miss you every day. Offered with love by the Radczenko family. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!

†RADE, †ANA, †MILAN, †EVELYN, †PETAR, †JELENA, †STEVO, †LJUBICA, †NIKOLA, †MILKA, †DRAGAN, †MARIJA, †DANILO, †DANICA, †ZARKO, †PETAR, †BRANKO, †DARINKA, †NEVENKA, †NIKOLA, †DAVID, †MICHAEL, †LINDA Offered this Thursday (Dec 19) as we observe our Krsna Slava, Nikoljdan, we pray for the peaceful repose of family members whose memories we celebrate. Offered in loving memory by the Yanich & Matich families. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!

†MILE, †ANDJELIJA, †PAVLE MRAOVIC & †PAVLE, †PAOLINA, †BRANKO KOBAC & †MITCH & †LJUBICA KOBAC ZUNICH Offered this Thursday (Dec 19) on our Krsna Slava as we pray for the blessed repose of our family members. Offered in loving memory by Beba Yanich & family.  Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!

†MILOS & †MILAN STARCEVICH, STARCEVICH, VUJASINOVICH AND KOTUR FAMILIES Offered in loving memory of our dear Milos (Mico), Milan (Braco) and all reposed members of the Starcevich, Vujasinovich and Kotur families as we celebrate our Krsna Slava, Sveti Nikola. May our good Lord grant them eternal peace in His heavenly kingdom. Forever in our hearts. Offered with love by Zorica and family.  Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!

Please continue to pray for all of those currently being persecuted for Christ's sake in Kosovo, Metohija, Montenegro, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Iraq, Iran, Egypt, the Sudan, China, North Korea, for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering throughout the world, especially in Ukraine, that they might be comforted with the Joy of our Lord, and for all of those suffering from the pandemic, for those who minister, and for those who are unjustly persecuted that they may be strengthened by the love of Christ which knows no race. 

We also pray for the Orthodox clergy in Alaska, that the Lord might grant them more than enough to feed their families.

LET US PRAY TO THE LORD!

Stewardship Offering Information

Date 12/8/2024

Collection: $3,735.00

Date 12/1/2024

Collection: $4,377.00

Date 11/24/2024

Collection: $2,382.00

December Birthdays

Laurie Brosius (Dec 1), Stephani York (Dec 2), Alex Govelovich (Dec 2), Gordana Fasnacht (Dec 4), Alexandra McFall (Dec 4), Paul Kasper (Dec 7), Alexa Healy (Dec 10), Nicholas Blitva (Dec 11), Sarah Milletics (Dec 11), Lorraine James (Dec 15), Quinn Gilroy (Dec 15), Irina Miljkovic (Dec 17), Steve Barry (Dec 17), Michael Filepas Jr (Dec 23), Carole Blitva (Dec 25), Josh Howell (Dec 30)

December Anniversaries

Alex & Nicole Bazdar (Dec 11), Dori & Doug Bert (Dec 18), Lauren & Ross Spangler (Dec 21), Pharon & Christine Bertsch (Dec 27)

SPECIAL CONGREGATION ASSEMBLY TODAY

TODAY, December 15, 2024, after Divine Liturgy, we will have a special Congregation Assembly to vote on the Dedication of the Library to Fr Srboljub.



THE SAINTS OF OUR FRESCOES

This year, we will be offering multiple opportunities to learn more about the saints that are depicted on the icons in the Church. Mrs. Martha Rakowski, Th.M., will be teaching the lives of these wondrous saints—many of whom we call our patrons! This adult education class continues today Sunday, December 15th after Church with Patriarchs of the Pentateuch.

SPECIAL THANKS TO GOD

We would like to thank our “cookie angels” for another very successful cookie project for our church. This project would not have been so successful without the bakers, packers, and pickers, we are very grateful to all of you. Tracy & Nicole Petrovich xoxo

We would like to thank Dewey Yetter for once again assembling and donating the kits the Sunday School is using for planting wheat on St Nicholas Day. We are thankful he continues to share his stewardship with our students.

SOTAYA GIFT CARD FUNDRAISER

Thinking of a gift for someone, a special occasion, birthday or a reward for yourself? Gift cards are a good choice! And there is no need to go to the store, SOTAYA is selling Texas Roadhouse and Darden Restaurant Group cards (which includes Olive Garden, Longhorn, Cheddar’s, Yard House, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52) at a face value of $50. Just see any SOTAYA member or Sladjana for a purchase. Thanks for your support!

SOTAYA LAMB SALE

We are once again having our Christmas Fund Raising event. For your Christmas dinner on January 7, let us provide you with hot Roast Lamb. This year the lamb will be sold by the pound, for $18 per pound. Deadline to place your lamb order is Sunday, December 31. Contact Sladjana Gligorevic at 717-538-2073 or sladjagligorevic@gmail.com

POINSETTIA SALE

Once again, we will be decorating our church for Christmas with Poinsettias. You can help offset the church’s cost by purchasing one for $10. Please contact Daria Milletics if you are interested in purchasing any (717-939-3872) or email office@stnicholassteelton.org

PANTRY BOX IN THE LOBBY (TO BE EMPTIED SOON!)

It is not too late to drop off items. The Pantry Box helps to supply much needed goods to the Bethesda Women’s Shelter. Please remember to drop off items like: ibuprofen, toothpaste, toothbrush, powdered laundry detergent, feminine hygiene products, lotion, razors, bar soap or body wash, deodorant. Have your donations in the box by December 25.

PLEASE HELP - BETHESDA MISSION WOMEN’S SHELTER OUTREACH

On the second Saturday of every month (the next one is this Saturday, January 11th), volunteers from our four Orthodox churches prepare and serve lunch for shelter residents. We also help with various projects and activities that assist with shelter operations. If anyone would like to volunteer or learn more about this important program, please contact Andrea Gunther.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Office hours are Monday thru Friday from 9 am until noon. You may call the office during these hours at (717) 939-3872 or come by the office in person. Office hours will be adjusted when services are occurring during those hours.

BULLETIN DEADLINE

Please send all Bulletin Requests to the Church Office at office@stnicholassteelton.org

You may also call (717) 939-3872

December Charity

Very Reverend Stavrophor Srboljub Jockovich

Fund for St. Nicholas Church Ministries & those in Need

In 2010, our congregation established The Fr. Srboljub Fund as a permanent resource for special ministries and other special needs or events in our church community or with our Orthodox Christian partners in the Central PA area or the larger Orthodox Christian community. Each month we participate in the Charity Sunday program and we always give those donations to an outside charity. Through the Fr. Srboljub Fund, we have created a dynamic new way to support the special ministries of our Church community and to respond to the special needs of our Orthodox Christian brothers and sisters. We are preparing ourselves to respond to ministries and programs in areas such as feeding the hungry, youth and senior programs, library needs, gift shop resources, education and outreach initiatives, visitation efforts and unforeseen emergencies or crises. 



Please give generously to the Fr. Srboljub Fund so we may honor the memory of our long-time spiritual leader in this unique way as we grow our resources and are prepared to respond when a special need arises. God bless you and thank you for your generosity.  

The Life of St. Nicholas,

The Wonderworker

Archbishop of Myra in Lycea

(text quoted from oca.org/feastandsaints)

Saint Nicholas, the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia is famed as a great saint pleasing unto God. He was born in the city of Patara in the region of Lycia (on the south coast of the Asia Minor peninsula), and was the only son of pious parents Theophanes and Nonna, who had vowed to dedicate him to God.

As the fruit of the prayer of his childless parents, the infant Nicholas from the very day of his birth revealed to people the light of his future glory as a wonderworker. His mother, Nonna, after giving birth was immediately healed from illness. The newborn infant, while still in the baptismal font, stood on his feet three hours, without support from anyone, thereby honoring the Most Holy Trinity. Saint Nicholas from his infancy began a life of fasting, and on Wednesdays and Fridays he would not accept milk from his mother until after his parents had finished their evening prayers.

From his childhood Nicholas thrived on the study of Divine Scripture; by day he would not leave church, and by night he prayed and read books, making himself a worthy dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. Bishop Nicholas of Patara rejoiced at the spiritual success and deep piety of his nephew. He ordained him a reader, and then elevated Nicholas to the priesthood, making him his assistant and entrusting him to instruct the flock.

In serving the Lord the youth was fervent of spirit, and in his proficiency with questions of faith he was like an Elder, who aroused the wonder and deep respect of believers. Constantly at work and vivacious, in unceasing prayer, the priest Nicholas displayed great kind-heartedness towards the flock, and towards the afflicted who came to him for help, and he distributed all his inheritance to the poor.

There was a certain formerly rich inhabitant of Patara, whom Saint Nicholas saved from great sin. The man had three grown daughters, and in desperation he planned to sell their bodies so they would have money for food. The saint, learning of the man’s poverty and of his wicked intention, secretly visited him one night and threw a sack of gold through the window. With the money the man arranged an honorable marriage for his daughter. Saint Nicholas also provided gold for the other daughters, thereby saving the family from falling into spiritual destruction. In bestowing charity, Saint Nicholas always strove to do this secretly and to conceal his good deeds.

The Bishop of Patara decided to go on pilgrimage to the holy places at Jerusalem, and entrusted the guidance of his flock to Saint Nicholas, who fulfilled this obedience carefully and with love. When the bishop returned, Nicholas asked his blessing for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Along the way the saint predicted a storm would arise and threaten the ship. Saint Nicholas saw the devil get on the ship, intending to sink it and kill all the passengers. At the entreaty of the despairing pilgrims, he calmed the waves of the sea by his prayers. Through his prayer a certain sailor of the ship, who had fallen from the mast and was mortally injured was also restored to health.

When he reached the ancient city of Jerusalem and came to Golgotha, Saint Nicholas gave thanks to the Savior. He went to all the holy places, worshiping at each one. One night on Mount Sion, the closed doors of the church opened by themselves for the great pilgrim. Going round the holy places connected with the earthly service of the Son of God, Saint Nicholas decided to withdraw into the desert, but he was stopped by a divine voice urging him to return to his native country. He returned to Lycia, and yearning for a life of quietude, the saint entered into the brotherhood of a monastery named Holy Sion, which had been founded by his uncle. But the Lord again indicated another path for him, “Nicholas, this is not the vineyard where you shall bear fruit for Me. Return to the world, and glorify My Name there.” So he left Patara and went to Myra in Lycia.

Upon the death of Archbishop John, Nicholas was chosen as Bishop of Myra after one of the bishops of the Council said that a new archbishop should be revealed by God, not chosen by men. One of the elder bishops had a vision of a radiant Man, Who told him that the one who came to the church that night and was first to enter should be made archbishop. He would be named Nicholas. The bishop went to the church at night to await Nicholas. The saint, always the first to arrive at church, was stopped by the bishop. “What is your name, child?” he asked. God’s chosen one replied, “My name is Nicholas, Master, and I am your servant.”

After his consecration as archbishop, Saint Nicholas remained a great ascetic, appearing to his flock as an image of gentleness, kindness and love for people. This was particularly precious for the Lycian Church during the persecution of Christians under the emperor Diocletian (284-305). Bishop Nicholas, locked up in prison together with other Christians for refusing to worship idols, sustained them and exhorted them to endure the fetters, punishment and torture. The Lord preserved him unharmed. Upon the accession of Saint Constantine (May 21) as emperor, Saint Nicholas was restored to his flock, which joyfully received their guide and intercessor.

Despite his great gentleness of spirit and purity of heart, Saint Nicholas was a zealous and ardent warrior of the Church of Christ. Fighting evil spirits, the saint made the rounds of the pagan temples and shrines in the city of Myra and its surroundings, shattering the idols and turning the temples to dust.

In the year 325 Saint Nicholas was a participant in the First Ecumenical Council. This Council proclaimed the Nicean Symbol of Faith, and he stood up against the heretic Arius with the likes of Saints Sylvester the Bishop of Rome (January 2), Alexander of Alexandria (May 29), Spyridon of Trimythontos (December 12) and other Fathers of the Council.

Saint Nicholas, fired with zeal for the Lord, assailed the heretic Arius with his words, and also struck him upon the face. For this reason, he was deprived of the emblems of his episcopal rank and placed under guard. But several of the holy Fathers had the same vision, seeing the Lord Himself and the Mother of God returning to him the Gospel and omophorion. The Fathers of the Council agreed that the audacity of the saint was pleasing to God, and restored the saint to the office of bishop.

Having returned to his own diocese, the saint brought it peace and blessings, sowing the word of Truth, uprooting heresy, nourishing his flock with sound doctrine, and also providing food for their bodies.

Even during his life the saint worked many miracles. One of the greatest was the deliverance from death of three men unjustly condemned by the Governor, who had been bribed. The saint boldly went up to the executioner and took his sword, already suspended over the heads of the condemned. The Governor, denounced by Saint Nicholas for his wrong doing, repented and begged for forgiveness.

Witnessing this remarkable event were three military officers, who were sent to Phrygia by the emperor Constantine to put down a rebellion. They did not suspect that soon they would also be compelled to seek the intercession of Saint Nicholas. Evil men slandered them before the emperor, and the officers were sentenced to death. Appearing to Saint Constantine in a dream, Saint Nicholas called on him to overturn the unjust sentence of the military officers.

He worked many other miracles, and struggled many long years at his labor. Through the prayers of the saint, the city of Myra was rescued from a terrible famine. He appeared to a certain Italian merchant and left him three gold pieces as a pledge of payment. He requested him to sail to Myra and deliver grain there. More than once, the saint saved those drowning in the sea, and provided release from captivity and imprisonment.

Having reached old age, Saint Nicholas peacefully fell asleep in the Lord. His venerable relics were preserved incorrupt in the local cathedral church and flowed with curative myrrh, from which many received healing. In the year 1087, his relics were transferred to the Italian city of Bari, where they rest even now (See May 9).

The name of the great saint of God, the hierarch and wonderworker Nicholas, a speedy helper and suppliant for all hastening to him, is famed in every corner of the earth, in many lands and among many peoples. In Russia there are a multitude of cathedrals, monasteries and churches consecrated in his name. There is, perhaps, not a single city without a church dedicated to him.

The first Russian Christian prince Askold (+ 882) was baptized in 866 by Patriarch Photius (February 6) with the name Nicholas. Over the grave of Askold, Saint Olga (July 11) built the first temple of Saint Nicholas in the Russian Church at Kiev. Primary cathedrals were dedicated to Saint Nicholas at Izborsk, Ostrov, Mozhaisk, and Zaraisk. At Novgorod the Great, one of the main churches of the city, the Nikolo-Dvorischensk church, later became a cathedral.

Famed and venerable churches and monasteries dedicated to Saint Nicholas are found at Kiev, Smolensk, Pskov, Toropetsa, Galich, Archangelsk, Great Ustiug, Tobolsk. Moscow had dozens of churches named for the saint, and also three monasteries in the Moscow diocese: the Nikolo-Greek (Staryi) in the Chinese-quarter, the Nikolo-Perervinsk and the Nikolo-Ugreshsk. One of the chief towers of the Kremlin was named the Nikolsk.

Many of the churches devoted to the saint were those established at market squares by Russian merchants, sea-farers and those who traveled by land, venerating the wonderworker Nicholas as a protector of all those journeying on dry land and sea. They sometimes received the name among the people of “Nicholas soaked.”

Many village churches in Russia were dedicated to the wonderworker Nicholas, venerated by peasants as a merciful intercessor before the Lord for all the people in their work. And in the Russian land Saint Nicholas did not cease his intercession. Ancient Kiev preserves the memory about the miraculous rescue of a drowning infant by the saint. The great wonderworker, hearing the grief-filled prayers of the parents for the loss of their only child, took the infant from the waters, revived him and placed him in the choir-loft of the church of Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) before his wonderworking icon. In the morning the infant was found safe by his thrilled parents, praising Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker.

Many wonderworking icons of Saint Nicholas appeared in Russia and came also from other lands. There is the ancient Byzantine embordered image of the saint, brought to Moscow from Novgorod, and the large icon painted in the thirteenth century by a Novgorod master.

Two depictions of the wonderworker are especially numerous in the Russian Church: Saint Nicholas of Zaraisk, portrayed in full-length, with his right hand raised in blessing and with a Gospel (this image was brought to Ryazan in 1225 by the Byzantine Princess Eupraxia, the future wife of Prince Theodore. She perished in 1237 with her husband and infant son during the incursion of Batu); and Saint Nicholas of Mozhaisk, also in full stature, with a sword in his right hand and a city in his left. This recalls the miraculous rescue of the city of Mozhaisk from an invasion of enemies, through the prayers of the saint. It is impossible to list all the grace-filled icons of Saint Nicholas, or to enumerate all his miracles.

Saint Nicholas is the patron of travelers, and we pray to him for deliverance from floods, poverty, or any misfortunes. He has promised to help those who remember his parents, Theophanes and Nonna.



Saint Nicholas is also commemorated on May 9 (The transfer of his relics) and on July 29 (his nativity).

Troparion — Tone 4

Truly you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith,

an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence;

your humility exalted you; your poverty enriched you.

Hierarch Father Nicholas,

entreat Christ our God that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion — Tone 3

You revealed yourself, O saint, in Myra as a priest,

For you fulfilled the Gospel of Christ

By giving up your soul for your people,

And saving the innocent from death.

Therefore you are blessed as one

become wise in the grace of God.