St. Nicholas is not only the subject of many legends, he is also the subject of a cantata composed by Benjamin Britten. A few years back a local choral group, including several parishioners, performed this piece in concert in Lexington: a great performance of a very fine work. The story of the cantata is, itself, a lesson in the life and legend of Nicholas and you can read that here.
A little more research on my part reveals that St. Nicholas is the patron saint of or associated with (fasten your seat belt!):
Against imprisonment, Against robberies, Against robbers, Apothecaries, Bakers, Barrel Makers, Boatmen, Boot Blacks, Boys, Brewers, Brides, Captives, Children, Coopers, Dock Workers, Druggists, Fishermen, Greece, Greek Catholic Church in America, Grooms, Judges, Lawsuits lost unjustly, Longshoremen, Maidens, Mariners, Merchants, Murderers, Newlyweds, Parish Clerks, Paupers, Pawnbrokers, Perfumers, Pharmacists, Pilgrims, Poor people, Portsmouth - England, Prisoners, Russia, Sailors, Scholars, Schoolchildren, Shoe Shiners, Sicily, Students, Thieves, Travelers, and Unmarried girls!You may study the life of St. Nicholas here in icons and stories.
In some countries TODAY is the day for gift-giving, not December 25. So you might want to surprise a friend or family member with a little gift today. It doesn't need to be something you wrap in paper and ribbons. It might be a smile, a call, a note, a word, some time, an understanding heart, a helping hand, a simple thank-you-for-being-you!
KeepNicholas
When I was growing up, St. Nicholas visited our home while I was asleep. On the morning of December 6 my brothers, sister and I had a sock (one of my father's) hung on the bedpost. It usually contained an orange and a small toy. My father was of German heritage and he carried on this tradition he had grown up with with us. It was always special, as we were the only family that I knew of that celebrated St. Nicholas Day!
ReplyDeleteRosemary