The Orthodox Christians have celebrated today, 6 December 2013, St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, dozens of places of worship in the country having their patron feast. Among these places of worship there was “St. Nicholas” –Ghica church, university chapel in downtown Bucharest. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel was in the midst of the faithful and, after the Divine Liturgy,he gave a sermon in which he spoke about the model life of St. Nicholas.
In the perception of the faithful, holiness is shown first in kindness
“St. Nicholas is not the greatest theologian, but the most popular of saints. He shows that in the piety of the faithful the greatest thinkers have not always been the most beloved saints. In general, in the perception of the faithful true holiness is shown first in kindness. The most merciful saints, helping more the people, are the most popular”, said His Beatitude according TRINITAS TV.
Saint Nicholas shows us all, by example of his own life, what Christian charity means.
“St. Nicholas was born to wealthy parents, but during a plague they died and he was raised by his uncle who was also named Nicholas. He gave his wealth received from parentsto the poor. He helped a lot of people in distress, the poor, orphans and became very loved by the people. He was born in Patara, in Lycia Province, in the south of Asia Minor. He lived a life of purity, prayer, great devotion, and became a priest and then was elected bishop for the city of Myra in Lycia. This work was done in a miraculously way because God has ordained him to be a bishop even though he did not want to hold any high office”, said the Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
Saint Nicholas – the image of goodness
Because of his kindness, St. Nicholas became one of the most beloved saints of the Church, creating a genuine culture of generosity.
“In all major cities there is one church dedicated to St. Nicholas, built by pious and generous Christiansrulers or nobles. Through this, theChurch educated the ministers of the people to be merciful, especially at a time when the cold weather comes, people lack shelter, food and so St. Nicholas became not only the image of gentleness and a man of prayer, but the image of kindness, of generosity. The example of his life has inspired a culture of generosity and a culture of hospitality.Therefore, when people are generous, they resemble St. Nicholas and from this perspective the merciful saints were the greatest teachers of the culture of generosity, of the kindness of heart”, said His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
On Saint Nicholas’ feast, over 800,000 Romanian celebrated their name anniversary. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel congratulated at the end all those who bear the name St. Nicholas.
For the entire work and especially for his work with students,the Romanian Patriarch gave to the parish priest the Order of “Saints Constantine and Helen” and to the parish community the honorary Diploma together with “SaintsConstantine and Helen”commemorative medal.
Finally, His Beatitude offered to the church a blessing cross, several liturgical books and some other books published recently, and to the students St. Nicholas Akathist booklet, the 2014 calendar and icons to the children and faithful.
