Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.
Saint Nicholas.
Bishop And Confessor.
Feast Day 6 December.
Double.
White Vestments.
English: Saint Nicholas, in a Mediæval Book of Hours,
written for the De Grey family, Ruthin, Wales, circa 1390.
Cymraeg: Llyfr Llyfr Oriau “De Grey”.
Collection: National Library of Wales.
Source/Photographer:
Author: Unknown.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Having become Archbishop of Myra, the wants of his flock were the first object of his Pastoral care. He took part in The Council of Nicea, which condemned Arianism.
Putting to profit the talents of which the Gospel speaks, he practiced both Spiritual and Temporal Works of Mercy, as when he discreetly threw Alms in at a window to save the honour of three young girls, an act still commemorated, nowadays, in Santa Claus, when the children thank Saint Nicholas for presents found on the hearth.
He died in 324 A.D. His Relics are preserved at Bari, Italy.
Let us help our neighbour in his Spiritual and Temporal needs.
Mass: Státuit.
Commemoration: Of The Feria.
Thank you, Zephyrus.
ReplyDelete“Great Nicholas,” as he is sometimes referred to an eastern church died December 6, 343 AD; but I did not know that it was about
the 1087 that the relics of Saint Nicholas were translated —with some controversy—from Asia Minor, by a group of Italian merchants from Bari Italy, ostensibly, because the region had been conquered by the Seljuk Turks.
The Greek Church had built a very large and noble basilica over his tomb—-from which tomb, according to ancient Christian writers, there would flow streams of myrrh to be venerated by pilgrims— about 200 years after S. Nicholas’ death, which imposing church, even in its semi-ruinous state, still stands today in Demre, Turkey: but like nearly all ancient Christian churches in Asia Minor, it had been converted long ago to a secular museum.
The church in Bari, Italy, of course, is still an exceptional site and destination of pilgrims. it is Romanesque in style, consecrated in 1197, and is rather square and squat, reflecting both Italian and the Norman occupation traditions. It’s museum is said to contain some extraordinary early sculptures from the 12th century on. Bari is also said to be a beautifully picturesque, city, overlooking the Mediterranean, at the very heel of “the boot” of Italy of course, and no doubt a future destination, for those of us, so inclined.
Perhaps, after Zephyrinus returns from his Scottish fishing holiday,! -Note by Dante P
Another riveting Comment from our Historical Correspondent, Dante P, for which we are very grateful. A most fascinating update on Saint Nicholas.
DeleteBari would seem to be a most interesting location for a pleasant holiday trip. After the Scottish Christmas trip, of course. But, don't let Perkins know !!!
A clever little Christmas rhyme/children’s song based on S. Nicholas of Myra’s intervention at Nicaea against Arius: (tune: “Up on the Housetop”):
ReplyDelete“Up at Nicæa, bishops pause - Arius and Santa Claus!
One claims a time when the Son was not;
One says that's a heretical thought.
(chorus)
Ho! ho! ho!
Who's gonna go?
Ho! ho! ho!
Who's gonna go?
Off with a right hook, good St. Nick;
Down goes the dirty heretic.”
-Christmas & S. Nick Greetings, Note by Dante P
What a wonderful Christmas-Tide rhyme from Dante P. Something that Zephyrinus was totally unaware of.
DeleteLove the “Christmas and S. Nick Greetings” !!!
Many thanks. And “Ho, Ho, Ho . . .”