Happy St. Nicholas Day! I hope that your shoes were filled this morning with goodies as my kids were. It seems petty to say, “I love St. Nicholas” because, really, who doesn’t? He’s the patron saint of countries, of sailors and children, and he even hit Arius at the first Ecumenical Council. What’s not to love?

This beautiful icon tells this story:
Pilgrimage to The Holy Land

When he was yet a young man, Nicholas followed the example of his uncle, who was a , and wanted to seek the holy by making a to the birthplace of Christianity—the Holy Land. Wanting a serene time of preparation, Nicholas arranged to sail on an Egyptian ship with other s, but where no one would know who he was. The first night he dreamed that the ship would be in peril. In the morning he warned the sailors that there would be a severe storm, but they need not fear, for "God would protect them."

Almost immediately the sky darkened and strong winds roared round the ship. The wind and the waves made it impossible to control the ship. Even though the sails were lowered, the sailors feared for their very lives, begging Nicholas to pray for their safety. One sailor climbed the main mast to tighten the ropes securing the mast so it would not crash onto the deck. As he was coming back down, the sailor slipped, fell to the deck, and was killed.
While Nicholas prayed, the storm did subside and the sailors were relieved. Their comfort, however, was dampened by grief over the death of their comrade. Nicholas, wanting to relieve their suffering, prayed for the dead man. The man was revived "as if he had only been asleep" and awakened without pain.
Nicholas continued his journey to Jerusalem where he visited the Holy Sepulchre, Golgotha, and other holy sites.

Learn more at the excellent St. Nicholas Center. And, see who my kids met on Sunday S'praznikom!