"Indreptator credintei si chip blandetilor, invatator infranarii te-a aratat pe tine, turmei tale, adevarul lucrurilor. Pentru aceasta ai castigat cu smereniea cele inalte, cu saracia, cele bogate. Parinte Ierarhe Nicolae, roaga pe Hristos Dumnezeu sa mantuiasca sufletele noastre."
(Troparul Sf Nicolae)
Saint Nicholas of Myra
Among the Greeks and Italians he is a favourite of sailors,
fishermen, ships and sailing.
As such he has become over time the patron saint
of several cities maintaining harbours.
In centuries of Greek folklore,
Nicholas was seen as "The Lord of the Sea", often described
by modern Greek scholars as a kind of Christianised
version of Poseidon.
In modern Greece,
he is still easily among the most recognisable saints
and December
6 finds many cities celebrating their patron saint.
He is also the patron saint of all of Greece.
Today, saint Nicholas is still celebrated as a great
gift-giver in several Western
European countries.
The holy person of St. Nicholas is a popular subject
portrayed on countless Eastern
Orthodox icons.