St Nicholas of Myra (270-343)
Feast day: 6 December
St Nicholas must be one of the busiest saints in Heaven and also one of the most popular. He is patron saint of Russia, Greece and of course Galway, the Catholic Cathedral and Anglican Collegiate Church being dedicated to him. We see in this a wonderful connection between the churches of the east and the west in that they both venerate Nicholas. He is patron saint of sailors, condemned prisoners and especially of children to name but a few of his numerous responsibilities.
In truth we know very little about him. He was a Greek, living in an area that was culturally Greek but is now Turkey; it was at that time part of the eastern Roman empire. He came from a wealthy family, was orphaned young and brought up by his uncle who was a bishop. He himself became a bishop, and at the Emperor Constantine’s request attended the First Council of Nicaea where he signed the final document. This Council gave us the Nicene Creed. Many legends of his kindness and generosity have sprung up. For this reason he has become Santa Claus or Father Christmas.
Two stories about him are well known. Firstly he was reputed to have raised to life three boys pickled by an evil butcher; the second is his anonymously leaving dowries for three girls, who would have otherwise have been forced into prostitution.
Next year we will celebrate fifty years of our cathedral dedicated to Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas. We pray that St Nicholas will inspire us to maintain our cathedral as a centre of faith and as a place of welcome for all who come there. We pray especially this Christmas that Nicholas, in his role as Father Christmas, will bless all children, particularly those children who suffer poverty, abuse and other hardships. May his spirit of generosity touch their lives.