In Light of the Gospel

Yesterday, December 6, was St. Nicholas Day. For those of you not familiar with him, St. Nicholas was the Bishop of Myra, and he is the basis for the story of ”Santa Claus.” Nicholas was born to a wealthy Christian family, though was later orphaned during an epidemic, after which he sold his inheritance to help the poor and needy in what is now modern day Turkey. He was well known for his love and kindness to children and his great generosity toward them.

At the same time he was a great minister and bishop, but like many in his day, he suffered persecution and exile during the reign of Emperor Diocletian,. He was one of the bishops who lived through that exile and later enjoyed the freedom of the Edict of Milan in 313. Nicholas even attending the great Council of Nicaea in 325. Read more about him at the St. Nicholas Center.