You can read a shorter summary of the life of this great saint here:
Saint Nicholas of Bari, also known as Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, was born in the third century in the city of Patara, which was part of the Roman Empire and that is now modern-day Turkey. He was the raised in a wealthy family of Greek Christians. According to some sources, his uncle was the Catholic Bishop of the city of Myra, and seeing his good inclinations towards the piety, his uncle ordain him as a priest.
Growing in piety he traveled to the Holy Land as a pilgrim, during his travel he experienced a furious storm that almost destroys the ship in which he was traveling with others, but he rebuked the waves, causing the storm to subside.
Upon his return from his pilgrimage Nicholas was ordained as a bishop in the city of Myra, in the region of Lycia. His installation as a Bishop was providential, since the previous Bishop had recently died, and the priests in the city decided that the first priest that entered the Church that morning would be made Bishop. St. Nicholas, desiring to pray at the church that morning to glorify God was noticed as the first to enter, and therefore he was honored with the title of Bishop.
He quickly distinguished himself as a pious and compassionate servant of God, and he became known for his tireless work on behalf of the poor and marginalized. In one occasion, he saved three innocent men from being unjustly condemned to death by the governor Eustathius.
In that occasion, St. Nicholas appeared in the place of execution shortly before these innocent men were about to be slain. St. Nicholas pushed the sword of the executioner to the ground, released the innocent prisoners from their chains, and he chastised vigorously a juror who had been corrupted with a bribe.
He also became renowned for his deep devotion to the Most Holy Trinity, by defending the sacred doctrine regarding God in the First Council of Nicea, in which he powerfully opposed Arius.
Throughout his life, Nicholas was known for his humility, compassion, and deep devotion to the Church. He was a tireless advocate of the glory of God, and he was known for his generosity and kindness towards all those in need. He was also a powerful intercessor, and he was said to have performed many miracles during his lifetime, including the resurrection of three little children that were killed by an evil butcher who wanted to sell them as ham during a famine.
Saint Nicholas of Bari passed away on December 6, 343, and he was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church. Today, he is venerated by Catholics around the world as a powerful and miraculous intercessor, and his feast day is celebrated on December 6th. He is also the patron saint of children, sailors, and the city of Bari, and his intercession is sought by those who are facing challenges or hardships in their lives.
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