St. Nicholas
On the Grapevine 38
Jolly old St. Nicholas was actually a fourth century Bishop of Myra. During those times, Arius (a heretical priest) taught that Jesus was not of the same substance as God the Father, but rather the first creation of the Father and therefore subordinate to him. This is known as Arianism. The heresy was spreading rapidly. During the council of Nicaea Arius was formally allowed to present his arguments to the Church. Nicholas tried to keep quiet, but eventually couldn't stand hearing his beloved Jesus blasphemed any longer. He jumped out of his seat, ran across the room and punched (some say slapped) Arius in the face.
For his shocking behaviour in such a solemn meeting, his fellow Bishops took away Nicholas' bishop garments, chained him and threw him in jail. There he prayed for forgiveness. Jesus and Mary appeared to him and asked why he was in jail. Nicholas responded, "Because of my love for you." Then Jesus gave Nicholas the Book of the Gospels and Mary returned to him his bishop's stole. When the jailer came in the morning, he found Nicholas, loosed from his chains, dressed as a bishop and quietly reading the scriptures. Nicholas was immediately freed and reinstated as Bishop of Myra.
Before he became a Bishop, Nicholas saved three women from going into prostitution. After (and before Contantine became emperor), he was tortured and imprisoned for being a Christian. He worked tirelessly against heresies and paganism and defended the innocent. He was well loved and frequently prayed to after his death. His body, after death, exudes a sweet smelling myrrh (known as the manna of St. Nicholas) that preserves it and is said to heal people.
You can read more about him HERE.
For his shocking behaviour in such a solemn meeting, his fellow Bishops took away Nicholas' bishop garments, chained him and threw him in jail. There he prayed for forgiveness. Jesus and Mary appeared to him and asked why he was in jail. Nicholas responded, "Because of my love for you." Then Jesus gave Nicholas the Book of the Gospels and Mary returned to him his bishop's stole. When the jailer came in the morning, he found Nicholas, loosed from his chains, dressed as a bishop and quietly reading the scriptures. Nicholas was immediately freed and reinstated as Bishop of Myra.
Before he became a Bishop, Nicholas saved three women from going into prostitution. After (and before Contantine became emperor), he was tortured and imprisoned for being a Christian. He worked tirelessly against heresies and paganism and defended the innocent. He was well loved and frequently prayed to after his death. His body, after death, exudes a sweet smelling myrrh (known as the manna of St. Nicholas) that preserves it and is said to heal people.
You can read more about him HERE.
Invocation of St. Nicholas
Saint Nicholas, glorious Confessor of Christ,
assist us in thy loving kindness.
(Indulgence 100 days by Pope Gregory XI)
This number indicates an amount of time of penance
one was given in the Church after a Confession,
i.e., the priest would give someone a penance of a
certain amount of time before he could be fully
re-admitted into the Church.
(penances were much harsher back then!)
assist us in thy loving kindness.
(Indulgence 100 days by Pope Gregory XI)
This number indicates an amount of time of penance
one was given in the Church after a Confession,
i.e., the priest would give someone a penance of a
certain amount of time before he could be fully
re-admitted into the Church.
(penances were much harsher back then!)