Hagios Nikolaos was born during the third (some say fourth) century in the city of Patarain, Lycia, a province of Asia Minor. It was a Greek city at the time, and close to the sea. He was an only son and lived with his parents in Myra, Lycia, (part of modern-day Demre, Turkey). We are told by some that his parents were named Epiphanius (Ἐπιφάνιος) and Johanna (Ἰωάννα). Other sources say his parents were Theophanes (Θεοφάνης) and Nonna (Νόννα). His parents were wealthy Christians who were bringing their son up to be a good Christian, also. They died during an epidemic, leaving Hagios a rich orphan. He was raised by his uncle who was also named Nikolaos.
Uncle Nikolaos was the bishop of Patara. Possibly due to his upbringing, Hagios was deeply religious from a young age. They say he even observed the canonical fasts of Wednesdays and Fridays. He would only eat once on Wednesdays and Fridays, and only in the evening. His uncle shaved his head for him to become a reader, and later for him to enter the priesthood. He used his inheritance to do works of charity.
Hagios Nikolaos just happened to go the city of Myra during the election of a new bishop. He was elected because it was said he was chosen by God. During the persecutions at the beginning of the fourth century, Bishop Nikolaos was arrested and thrown into jail. He was tortured, along with many other Christians. When Constantine became emperor, Bishop Nikolaos was released.
Three innocent men were condemned to death by Governor Eustathius. Bishop Nikolaos stopped the execution, and the prisoners went free. He then forced Governor Eustathius to admit that he had taken a bribe to execute the men.
Three imperial officers, on their way to duty in Phrygia, witnessed Governor Eustathius' confession. Sometime later, after they had returned Constantinople, Prefect Ablavius became jealous of them. He went to Emperor Constantine with lies against the men. Emperor Constantine ordered that the officers be executed.
The officers remembered what the Bishop of Myra had done for the other men. They prayed to God that Bishop Nikolaos would save them. That very night Bishop Nikolaos appeared in a dream to Constatine. He threatened Constatine and demanded that the prisoners be released. Bishop Nikolaos did the same thing to Ablavius. In the morning the Emperor talked to the prefect, then sent for the officers. He questioned the officers and learned they had prayed to God and called on the name of Nikolaos. Constatine immediately set them free. He told them to take the bishop a letter. He ask Nikolaos not to threaten him again, and to pray for world Peace.
Hagios Nikolaos was born during the third (some say fourth) century in the city of Patarain, Lycia, a province of Asia Minor. It was a Greek city at the time, and close to the sea. He was an only son and lived with his parents in Myra, Lycia, (part of modern-day Demre, Turkey). We are told by some that his parents were named Epiphanius (Ἐπιφάνιος) and Johanna (Ἰωάννα). Other sources say his parents were Theophanes (Θεοφάνης) and Nonna (Νόννα). His parents were wealthy Christians who were bringing their son up to be a good Christian, also. They died during an epidemic, leaving Hagios a rich orphan. He was raised by his uncle who was also named Nikolaos.
Uncle Nikolaos was the bishop of Patara. Possibly due to his upbringing, Hagios was deeply religious from a young age. They say he even observed the canonical fasts of Wednesdays and Fridays. He would only eat once on Wednesdays and Fridays, and only in the evening. His uncle shaved his head for him to become a reader, and later for him to enter the priesthood. He used his inheritance to do works of charity.
Hagios Nikolaos just happened to go the city of Myra during the election of a new bishop. He was elected because it was said he was chosen by God. During the persecutions at the beginning of the fourth century, Bishop Nikolaos was arrested and thrown into jail. He was tortured, along with many other Christians. When Constantine became emperor, Bishop Nikolaos was released.
Three innocent men were condemned to death by Governor Eustathius. Bishop Nikolaos stopped the execution, and the prisoners went free. He then forced Governor Eustathius to admit that he had taken a bribe to execute the men.
Three imperial officers, on their way to duty in Phrygia, witnessed Governor Eustathius' confession. Sometime later, after they had returned Constantinople, Prefect Ablavius became jealous of them. He went to Emperor Constantine with lies against the men. Emperor Constantine ordered that the officers be executed.
The officers remembered what the Bishop of Myra had done for the other men. They prayed to God that Bishop Nikolaos would save them. That very night Bishop Nikolaos appeared in a dream to Constatine. He threatened Constatine and demanded that the prisoners be released. Bishop Nikolaos did the same thing to Ablavius. In the morning the Emperor talked to the prefect, then sent for the officers. He questioned the officers and learned they had prayed to God and called on the name of Nikolaos. Constatine immediately set them free. He told them to take the bishop a letter. He ask Nikolaos not to threaten him again, and to pray for world Peace.
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