All of us, adults and children, love winter holidays, which bring a lot of joy and fun, and on New Year's Eve also gifts from Santa Claus. And these holidays begin from the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. What is the date of St. Nicholas Day or, as it is called, Nicholas the Wonderworker, Nicholas the Sinner or Nicholas Winter?
The history and traditions of the celebration of the day of Nicholas the Wonderworker
Every year the day of St. Nicholas (winter) is celebrated by the Orthodox on December 19, and by Catholics on December 6.
In the Christian religion there are many saints, to whom people turn for help in difficult situations. One of the most revered saints is Nicholas the Wonderworker. This man was born into a family of Orthodox rather rich Christians and was their only and long-awaited son. According to legend, since the early years of Saint Nicholas's life was full of miracles. To begin on legs he began almost immediately after his birth, and in days of fasting the infant himself refused the mother's milk. However, he early orphaned and led a solitary life, doing science and spending all his spare time in thinking about God.
Later St. Nicholas, having distributed all the wealth that his parents left him, to the poor, accepted the order and became a preacher. Soon he was elected bishop of the Lycian city of Mir.
It was not for nothing that St. Nicholas was called the Wonderworker: he saved many lives, was considered a defender of sailors, travelers and traders. His boundless kindness and compassion for all people did not allow him to leave in need someone who needed help. Especially St. Nicholas loved children and always tried to give them sweets.
After the death of Nicholas the Wonderworker, his relics began to exude a healing miracle, which was yet another confirmation of his holiness. For all the many good deeds that Nikola the Wonderworker accomplished during his lifetime, after his death, they were ranked among the saints.
To celebrate the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was first started in Germany in the far X century. Sweets were given to students of the parish school on this day. There is a parable about why St. Nicholas Day is celebrated twice a year. According to the legend, the peasant rode along the road, and his cart got stuck in the mud. Toward him walked Saint Kasyan in rich clothes. And when the guy asked for help from Kasyan, he refused, citing the fact that he was in a hurry to paradise. Soon St. Nicholas passed around the peasant and helped to pull the cart, while being muddied in the mud.
Both saints came to the Lord, and he asked Nikolai why he was late, and why his clothes were in mud. Nicholas told how he helped the peasant. Then God asked why Kasyan did not help, to which he replied that he was in a hurry to this meeting and could not come in dirty clothes. Then God decided that Kasyan would be praised for this only once in four years, and Nicolas the Sinner - twice a year. Therefore, the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker of the spring is celebrated on May 22, the day of transfer of his relics to Italy, and on December 19, the day of his death.
Nikola winter is a favorite holiday for children. After all, everyone knows that on this night Saint Nicholas will put sweets under the pillow of an obedient child, but he who leaves no one can leave a rod instead of a gift. Therefore, every child tries to earn a gift from Nicholas. Today St. Nicholas can bring under the pillow not only sweets, but also a toy or an interesting book.
On the day of St. Nicholas in the churches and cathedrals are celebratory divine services. Matins are organized for children in many cities and villages. Various charity events are organized for orphans. Collected toys, books, clothes, as well as money are transferred to pupils of orphanages and boarding schools. So each of us can help needy children.