Heretical prayer of the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church MP at the relics of St. Nicholas. Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker Prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker for marriage

Saint Nicholas and gifts © depositphotos.com

Every year on December 6th the entire Catholic world celebrates St. Nicholas Day, and tochka.net will tell you about the history and traditions of this holiday.

Don’t be surprised, on December 19, Orthodox Christians celebrate St. Nicholas Day, but the Catholic holiday occurs 13 days earlier, i.e. 6th. It is with the Catholic Day of St. Nicholas that the Christmas holidays begin in European countries. And in Ukraine, December 6 is also the Day of the country's Armed Forces.

Prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker

All Christians, Orthodox and Catholics, know about the miraculous influence of prayer on a person, his destiny, and therefore, in difficult life situations, they turn to the Almighty for help and ask him for personal leniency towards their lost soul.

Very often, during a streak of failures at work or in family matters, believers ask for help from Nicholas the Wonderworker, pray and believe that they will certainly be guided on the path by the true savior and patron Nicholas the Wonderworker, whose prayers have a strong effect.

Prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker for help

The prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker (Pleasant) for help is one of the most read and popular prayers among Christian believers, because Saint Nicholas himself performed miracles during his lifetime.

Nicholas the Wonderworker is considered the patron saint of travelers, merchants and all the poor and needy, probably due to the fact that he tamed the elements and saved the ship from the wreck on which he was at that moment, and also protected people from death, saved the condemned, the innocently guilty , - helped then, helps now.

The prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker for help will become stronger when the person praying is imbued with the spoken words and fully believes in the true help of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and in his power as a Saint. Before reading the prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker for help, mentally indicate a specific request and after that begin to pray for yourself, your loved ones or friends, not forgetting to be baptized.

Oh, all-holy Nicholas, exceedingly saintly servant of the Lord, our warm intercessor, and everywhere in sorrow a quick helper! Help me, a sinner and sad person in this present life, beg the Lord God to grant me forgiveness of all my sins, which I have sinned greatly from my youth, in all my life, in deed, word, thought and all my feelings; and at the end of my soul, help me the accursed, beg the Lord God, the Creator of all creation, to deliver me from airy ordeals and eternal torment: may I always glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and your merciful intercession, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Nicholas the Wonderworker lived in the 3rd century AD. in the Lycian city of Myra, from childhood Nicholas devoted himself to serving the Lord and quite early became an archbishop. His fate was unfortunate - in the middle of his life's journey, Nicholas the Wonderworker became poor and homeless, but never refused patronage to those in need.

After his death, Nicholas the Wonderworker became a true Wonderworker, his holy relics healed hopelessly sick people and saved the suffering. December 19 is the day of remembrance of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (Pleasant), the day of his veneration.

A prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker that changes fate should be read for 40 days; if for any reason you miss at least one time between these 40 days, you will have to start all over again - pray and ask St. Nicholas the Wonderworker to change your fate.

The prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, which changes fate, is very strong and lasts 40 days, so you should not expect that the effect of the prayer will begin from the very first day.

Changing fate is very tempting, of course. (Although, depending on which direction). Yes, the text of the prayer is so huge, how can you not get lost while reading it?

just print out the text on a piece of paper and read it slowly, without rushing. this way there is less chance of making a mistake. I always do this.

In short, it’s not anywhere, I’ve already looked, the poet will have to suffer with this and pray.

I don't understand the problem. There is the first prayer, which is short, read it if the text of the second is too long for you.

I think the same too. St. Nicholas doesn’t care exactly how you pray, kmk. If only from the heart.

There is no need to simplify the approach to prayer and make it completely primitive. Each exists for something specific, each has its own purpose.

A woman told me in church that God knows what’s best for us and sees our goal. IMHO.

The saint helps everyone and everything - verified.

right to everyone and everything. What do you think he is, a fairy godmother? and who checked it, I wonder?

Why so much negativity? You should definitely pray more often. Maybe you'll attack people less.

I still don’t believe that one prayer can really change one’s destiny. I'm looking for reviews, so far everything is unclear.

The saint definitely helps - he influences fate; maybe life won’t take a sharp turn, but there will be improvements. IMHO.

Do you have any specific examples? Or is this just your guess?

Thank you, I was just looking for a prayer to change my fate, I was tired of living on one salary.

Nicholas the Wonderworker should be in every home, I have two icons - in every room!

the best helper is St. Nicholas, I trust him and no one else

People of different age groups pray to the saint. This is probably the only holy Deity with universal capabilities):

May Nikolai Ugodnik help. I pray in church at home at work, I believe in him alone limitlessly in his exceptional power

It’s doubtful about fate, of course, but it’s worth praying for help!

and I always pray to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker: in sorrow and joy;) Maybe it’s self-hypnosis, but after prayer it seems life begins to get better. IMHO.

On December 19 of each year, the whole of Europe celebrates the church holiday of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the vernacular language, especially children waiting for gifts from St. Nicholas. The tradition is wonderful, but not everyone knows about it :)

but can you pray to Nicholas not only on December 19, but all year round? so what does that have to do with.

madi must be thinking out loud?! I pray to the Saint for the fulfillment of my desires; I have one cherished desire, so I ask the saint for a miracle and help every day, not paying attention to holidays.

Every year, on the feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker on December 19, my daughter and I go to church to put a candle in front of the icon to pray; until this year we did not know about the existence of a special prayer. Thank you for the text, you are doing a very necessary job for believers!

for me this prayer is strong and most effective, it has helped me more than once

Praying for 40 days to change fate? It's probably worth it. I believe in Nicholas the Wonderworker, so I’ll decide to try it myself rather than listen to the Miracles of the saint from strangers.

I have the same text left over from my grandmother in her old prayer book.

The miracle worker has great power to provide assistance in various worldly problems. Our family, with the help of prayer, Nikolai manages not to lose heart and live on after all the hardships that have befallen us.

Is it possible to change a person’s destiny through prayer? Help me understand which one I should choose to start my life again? I am 35 years old, no family, no children, my husband left me and went to live with a young neighbor, I was left without funds and without a job.

try the prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, it helped me in a similar situation, only my situation was even more deplorable than yours - I had three children left in my arms. Glory to God and the Pleasant, I came out of poverty and found a normal job that helped raise the children on their feet. read diligently and everything will be fine.

Olga, I admire women who are capable of making any sacrifice for the sake of children! Instead of sitting idly by, it’s better to go headlong into work, if there is no suitable one yet, go to a low-paying one (I took on two jobs) - it also helps to pray to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, to all the saints you believe in, and to continue searching for something you like. IMHO.

People, did any of those present pray to the relics of the Saint brought to Moscow?

Vera Ivanovna, I’ll answer your question if you allow. We went as a family and stood in a long line, but it was worth it. Nicholas the Wonderworker truly works miracles, the image of the icon impressed me so much with its greatness that we have been under the impression for several days now! Everyone, young and old, prayed, asking for everything they could ask for!

Girls, Nicholas the Wonderworker is my protector and patron! How many times he saved me cannot be expressed in words. I don’t know how I served His Grace?!

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Orthodox prayers ☦

11 most powerful prayers to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

This article contains prayers to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (Pleasant).

Prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker that changes fate

“The chosen Wonderworker and great servant of Christ, Father Nicholas! Exuding to the whole world a precious myrrh and an inexhaustible sea of miracles, you build up spiritual fortresses, and I praise you as my lover, blessed Saint Nicholas: but you, as having boldness towards the Lord, free me from all troubles, and I call you: Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker, rejoice , Nicholas, great Wonderworker, rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker!

An angel in the image of an earthly being by the nature of the Creator of all creation; Having foreseen the fruitful kindness of your soul, blessed Nicholas, teach everyone to cry out to you:

Rejoice, born in the robes of angels, as pure in the flesh; Rejoice, baptized with water and fire, as though holy in the flesh. Rejoice, you who surprised your parents with your birth; Rejoice, you who revealed the strength of your soul at Christmas. Rejoice, garden of the land of promise; Rejoice, flower of the Divine planting. Rejoice, virtuous vine of Christ's grapes; Rejoice, miraculous tree of Jesus' paradise. Rejoice, thou land of heavenly destruction; Rejoice, myrrh of Christ's fragrance. Rejoice, for you will drive away sobbing; Rejoice for you bring joy. Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker, rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker, Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker!

Rejoice, image of lambs and shepherds; Rejoice, holy purifier of morals. Rejoice, repository of great virtues; Rejoice, holy and pure dwelling! Rejoice, all-bright and all-loving lamp; Rejoice, golden and immaculate light! Rejoice, worthy interlocutor of Angels; Rejoice, good teacher of men! Rejoice, rule of pious faith; Rejoice, image of spiritual meekness! Rejoice, for through you we are delivered from bodily passions; Rejoice, for through you we are filled with spiritual sweetness! Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker, rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker, Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker!

Rejoice, deliverance from sorrow; Rejoice, bestower of grace. Rejoice, banisher of unforeseen evils; Rejoice, wishing good things to the planter. Rejoice, speedy consoler of those in trouble; Rejoice, terrible punisher of those who offend. Rejoice, abyss of miracles poured out by God; Rejoice, the tablet of the law of Christ written by God. Rejoice, strong construction of those who give; Rejoice, rightful affirmation. Rejoice, for through you all flattery is laid bare; Rejoice, for through you all truth comes true. Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker, rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker, Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker!

Rejoice, source of all healings; Rejoice, greater helper of those who suffer! Rejoice, dawn, shining in the night of sin for those who wander; Rejoice, dew that does not flow in the heat of labor! Rejoice, thou who hast provided for those who demand prosperity; Rejoice, prepare abundance for those who ask! Rejoice, preface the petition many times; Rejoice, renew the strength of old gray hairs! Rejoice, many errors from the true path to the accuser; Rejoice, faithful servant of the mysteries of God. Rejoice, for through you we trample on envy; Rejoice, for through you we correct a good life. Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker, rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker, Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker!

Rejoice, you have been taken away from eternal misery; Rejoice, give us imperishable wealth! Rejoice, undying cruelty to those who hunger for truth; Rejoice, inexhaustible drink for those thirsty for life! Rejoice, keep from rebellion and warfare; Rejoice, free us from bonds and captivity! Rejoice, most glorious intercessor in troubles; Rejoice, great protector in adversity! Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker, rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker, Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker!

Rejoice, illumination of the Trisolar Light; Rejoice, day of the never-setting sun! Rejoice, candle, kindled by the Divine flame; Rejoice, for you have extinguished the demonic flame of wickedness! Rejoice, lightning, consuming heresies; Rejoice, O thunder who frightens those who seduce! Rejoice, true teacher of reason; Rejoice, mysterious exponent of the mind! Rejoice, for you have trampled upon the worship of the creature; Rejoice, for through you we will learn to worship the Creator in the Trinity! Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker, rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker, Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker!

Rejoice, mirror of all virtues; Rejoice, everyone who flows to you has been taken away by the strong! Rejoice, according to God and the Mother of God, all our hope; Rejoice, health to our bodies and salvation to our souls! Rejoice, for through you we are freed from eternal death; Rejoice, for through you we are worthy of endless life! Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker, rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker, Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker!

Oh, most bright and wonderful Father Nicholas, consolation of all who mourn, accept our present offering, and beg the Lord to deliver us from Gehenna, through your God-pleasing intercession, so that with you we sing: Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!

Chosen Wonderworker and great servant of Christ, Father Nicholas! Exuding to the whole world a precious myrrh and an inexhaustible sea of miracles, you build up spiritual fortresses, and I praise you, my beloved, blessed Saint Nicholas: you, as having boldness towards the Lord, free me from all troubles, and I call you: Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker, Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker, rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker!

Prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker for help in work

It is recommended to read the prayer to Nicholas the Pleasant for success in work in solitude and concentration in front of the icon.

“Heavenly King, Comforter, Soul of truth, Who is everywhere and fulfills everything, Treasure of good things and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from all filth, and save, O Good One, our souls. Bless, Lord, and help me, a sinner, to complete the work I have begun, for Your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of Your Father without beginning, You declared with Your most pure lips that without Me you cannot do anything. My Lord, Lord, with faith in my soul and heart spoken by You, I fall down in Your goodness: help me, a sinner, to complete this work, which I have begun, in You, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, through the prayers of the Mother of God and all Your saints . Amen."

Prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in search of a good job

“Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, protector and benefactor. Cleanse my soul from the pestering envy and malice of bad people. If the work does not go well due to damned intent, do not punish your enemies, but help them cope with the turmoil in their souls. If there is sinful soot on me, I sincerely repent and ask for miraculous help in righteous work. Grant me a job according to my conscience, and a salary according to my work. So be it. Amen".

Prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker for help with money

“O our good shepherd and God-wise mentor, Saint Nicholas of Christ! Hear us sinners (names), praying to you and calling on your speedy intercession for help: see us weak, caught from everywhere, deprived of all good and darkened in mind from cowardice. Strive, servant of God, do not leave us in the captivity of sin, so that we may not joyfully be our enemy and die in our evil deeds. Pray for us unworthy of our Creator and Master, to whom you stand with the disembodied faces: make our God merciful to us in this life and in the future, so that He will not reward us according to our deeds and the impurity of our hearts, but according to His goodness He will reward us.

We trust in your intercession, we boast of your intercession, we call upon your intercession for help and we ask for help in your most holy image: deliver us, saint of Christ, from the evils that come upon us, so that for the sake of your holy prayers the attack will not overwhelm us and we will not wallow in the abyss more sinful and in the mud of our passions.

Pray to Saint Nicholas of Christ, Christ our God, that he may grant us a peaceful life and remission of sins, salvation and great mercy for our souls, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen".

Prayer to Nicholas the Ugodnik for help on the road

Prayer for those traveling by car and by air.

“Oh Saint Nicholas of Christ! Hear us, sinful servants of God (names), praying to you, and pray for us, unworthy, our Creator and Master, make our God merciful to us in this life and in the future, so that he does not reward us according to our deeds, but according to his own He will reward us with goodness. Deliver us, saints of Christ, from the evils that come upon us, and tame the waves, passions and troubles that rise against us, so that for the sake of your holy prayers the attack will not overwhelm us and we will not wallow in the abyss of sin and in the mud of our passions. Pray to Saint Nicholas, Christ our God, that he may grant us a peaceful life and remission of sins, and salvation and great mercy for our souls, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.”

Prayer to Nicholas the Ugodnik for help in business and trade

“Oh, all-good Father Nicholas, shepherd and teacher of all who flow by faith to your intercession, and who call upon you with warm prayer, quickly strive and deliver the flock of Christ from the wolves that destroy it, that is, from the invasion of the evil Latins who are rising against us.

Protect and preserve our country, and every country existing in Orthodoxy, with your holy prayers from worldly rebellion, the sword, the invasion of foreigners, from internecine and bloody warfare. And just as you had mercy on three men imprisoned, and you delivered them from the king’s wrath and the beating of the sword, so have mercy and delivered the Orthodox people of Great, Little and White Rus' from the destructive heresy of the Latin.

For through your intercession and help, and through His mercy and grace, may Christ God look with His merciful eye on people who exist in ignorance, even though they have not known their right hand, especially young people, by whom the Latin seductions are spoken to turn away from the Orthodox faith, may he enlighten the minds of His people, may they not be tempted and fall away from the faith of their fathers, may their conscience, lulled by vain wisdom and ignorance, awaken and turn their will to the preservation of the holy Orthodox faith, may they remember the faith and humility of our fathers, may their life be for the Orthodox faith who have laid down and accepted the warm prayers of His holy saints, who have shone in our land, keeping us from the delusion and heresy of the Latin, so that, having preserved us in holy Orthodoxy, He will vouchsafe us at His terrible Judgment to stand on the right hand with all the saints. Amen"

Prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker for marriage

“Oh, all-holy Nicholas, exceedingly pleasing servant of the Lord! During your life, you have never refused anyone’s requests, but do not refuse the servant of God (the name of the girl who wants to get married). Send down your mercy and ask the Lord for my speedy marriage. I surrender to the will of the Lord and trust in His mercy. Amen".

Parents can also ask for their daughter’s marriage:

“I trust in you, Wonderworker Nicholas, and I ask for your beloved child. Help my daughter meet her chosen one - honest, faithful, kind and measured. Protect my daughter from sinful, lustful, demonic and careless marriage. Thy will be done. Amen".

Prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker for healing from illness

“O all-holy Nicholas, exceedingly saintly servant of the Lord, our warm intercessor, and everywhere in sorrow a quick helper, help me, a sinner and saddened one, in this life, beg the Lord God to grant me forgiveness of all my sins, which I have sinned greatly from my youth, in everything my life, deed, word, thought and all my feelings; and at the end of my soul, help me the accursed, beg the Lord God of all creation, the Creator, to deliver me from airy ordeals and eternal torment, so that I always glorify the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and your merciful intercession, now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen"

Prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker for the health of the sick

The prayer is read before the image of the holy elder (both in the temple and at home). You are allowed to read the prayer text both for yourself and for your relatives and loved ones, substituting the name of the sick person instead of brackets.

“Oh, Nicholas the All-Holy, saint of the Lord, our eternal intercessor, and everywhere in all troubles our helper. Help me, God’s servant (name), sad and sinful, in this life, ask the Lord to grant me remission of my sins, for I have sinned in deed, in a word, in your thoughts and with all your feelings. Help me, the accursed one, Holy Wonderworker, ask our Lord for good health, deliver me from torment and ordeal. Amen."

Prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker on the road and for those traveling

“Lord Almighty, Our God, I turn to you for support! I ask You for help, I pray for Your condescension! On the road I find it difficult, there are many obstacles on my way: bad people, crappy thoughts, pressing problems! Protect me, save me, guide me on the true path and help me not to leave it. Make sure that my road is smooth and even, problems and misfortunes are bypassed. So that this is how I set out on the road, and this is how I returned! I trust in Your help, I call for your support! I glorify Your name! Amen!"

Prayer of gratitude to Nicholas the Ugodnik

Read at dawn.

“Nicholas the Pleasant! I address you as a teacher and shepherd with faith and respect, with love and admiration. I send you words of gratitude, I pray for a prosperous life. I say thank you very much, I hope in mercy and forgiveness. For sins, for thoughts, and for thoughts. Just as you have had mercy on all sinners, so have mercy on me. Protect from terrible trials and from vain death. Amen"

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11 most powerful prayers to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker: 19 comments

A VERY POWERFUL PRAYER CHANGING DESTINY... STARTED READING. I HOPE. SHE WILL HELP...

Valentine, read to the end for 40 days in a row. don’t miss it and you will see that everything you asked for will definitely happen.

2 PRAYERS WHICH ONE OF THEM

I read a prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker for 40 days in front of his image, I am grateful to God that this prayer caught my eye, after reading 40 days, very important events happened in my life, the house that I inherited was sold, it was not for sale at all 3 years and now it sold very easily and the buyers were very happy with its purchase, the second event happened in my apartment, I dreamed of renovating the bathroom, I purchased two and a half years ago and floor and wall tiles and my sink and toilet, but Everything was somehow postponed until later and I didn’t have enough spirit or money, but today I’m writing on the day when the masters handed me a turnkey bathroom, I didn’t even expect that it would be so nice and beautiful, everything was thought out to the smallest detail, I’m just very pleased, there are still very good events that are happening to my loved ones, please work, pray and God and the holy Wonderworkers will hear your words. I went to the temple and ordered a prayer of thanks to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, learned by heart several songs of praise from the Akathist, they have such power and magnificence that after reading you experience joy and peace, I became calmer and more patient in life, I notice about myself. I give thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ and St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and all the saints. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

What prayer did you read?

What kind of prayer did you read?

Also, the most powerful prayer against loneliness to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker can be said by mothers of unmarried girls. Many of them want their daughter to get married as soon as possible and be happy in her marriage.

Why is there no prayer for a successful search for a wife? Why are men deprived in this regard?

The main thing is to believe, Alexander, and you will certainly find your happiness! I believe!

Because men should make the first step, and women should wait for their husband.

Alexander, I’m also single and praying, I hope))

There is a good prayer in the prayer book for a man for his wife. Look in icon shops.

I pray to Nicholas the Wonderworker. I know he will help! Glory to Nicholas the Wonderworker.

I started reading prayers to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the mornings on the subway (at other times it is difficult and difficult to concentrate) two weeks ago. And today my father-in-law has a heart attack... And it’s scary what will happen. Most likely, they will find him unfit for work, and his corporate pension, which he had been waiting for, will be wiped out. He still has 1.5 years of work left to do... Nikolai Ugodnik, pray to God for him!

My dear ones! Brothers in Christ!

Every day, in all Orthodox churches, it is read in the name of our God Jesus Christ: “Do not trust in princes, in the sons of men. There is no salvation in them.” And what about you? “Don’t you hear and don’t see?” and are you chasing a blizzard? Do you ignore the instructions of the Almighty himself and rush to a person for help and salvation? Isn't this a mistake in faith? Isn't this a sin before the Lord our God?

How many times have I observed in the temple during the service to our Lord God. Such “believers” will run in and immediately let’s kiss all the icons of all the holy people in a row. And, imagine, most often this action begins with Nikolai the saint. They run and kiss, but they don’t even come close to the image of Jesus Christ, the image of God. So they will leave the temple satisfied and self-confirmed in their faith. Why is this happening? Yes, because there are sinners who are engaged in hysteria, confusing the people, perverting and replacing faith in God with faith in the omnipotence of man. Even if it’s a canonized HUMAN BEING.

It is necessary to honor holy people, but, P R E J E V S E G O! ! ! give honors to the Most High, to the Mother of God, to John the Baptist, and only then to everyone else. Only in this order and not otherwise! Anyone who disagrees with this - “throw a stone at me.”

In relation to the saints.

I do not consider it sacrilege when I assert that all of them, just like us, sinners, are equal both before God and before people. But which of them is more revered is a moot point. I think that for Orthodox Russians the most revered should be the Apostle Andrew the First-Called, who brought faith to our land and to our people. This is his great merit, which is worthy of all respect. Regarding Saint Nicholas. I think that his services are to foreigners, but to Russians there are none. Therefore, the veneration of him before our saints and the Apostle Andrew the First-Called was imposed on us by foreigners with far-reaching goals.

May the Lord strengthen us in the true Faith.

How can you say about the saints that they are sinners like us people. They are saints and stand before the throne of God... If you are mistaken, why are you writing for people to read. And there is no difference in nationality and which of the saints to address in representation before the Lord is chosen by the person himself

Glory to Nicholas the Wonderworker!

I believe that we are mere mortal people, and the saints are chosen people and we ask them to help us pray for us before our God, hear us, intercede, ask them to atone for our sins, ask God to perform a miracle, etc. We, like children, seek support and protection and turn to someone who is closer to God.

I love God, but I revere the saints. Nicholas the Wonderworker is the first icon in my mind since childhood. I always pray to him. And besides all, many other saints. Matrona very often - I keep her image in my head - she helped me very much and created 2 huge miracles in my life, which helped to further strengthen my faith in God! I am grateful to God and Matrona and all the Saints.

Today is the Nativity of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker - low bow and gratitude.

Father Nicholas the Wonderworker! Thank you, you never leave me! I believe and live by Faith and Love! Glory to the Lord for everything!

Italians celebrate St. Nicholas Day with noisy processions, parades, illuminations, orchestras, unstoppable southern joy... The Russian people honor the Pleasant of God with sincere akathist singing, long and solemn services. More than 100 years ago, in the Italian port town of Bari, not far from the papal basilica with the relics of St. Nicholas, the construction of a Russian metochion began. Now the hospitable Russian house is again open to pilgrims. December 19 is the day of remembrance of St. Nicholas. We are talking with the rector of the Patriarchal Metochion in Bari, Father Andrei Boytsov.

- Father Andrey, what is the legal status of the temple in which the relics of St. Nicholas are kept?

The legal status of the temple is papal basilica, basilica of the pontiff. We, in the Orthodox Church, have the term “stauropygial,” that is, subordinate directly to the Patriarch. In this case, the temple is subordinate to the Pope, its rector is the Pope.

When the relics were transferred (actually stolen) from Mir to Bari, and this happened on May 9, 1087, the Italians decided that a special temple was needed. There was even a small armed conflict, a scuffle, because the Archbishop of Bari insisted that the relics be in the cathedral. At the sight of the first victims and numerous wounded, the abbot of the Benedictine monastery, Elijah, a spiritual man, decided to intervene in the situation and was able to extinguish the conflict, convincing the archbishop that the residents of Bari were right. Therefore, the Benedictine Order was entrusted with the construction of the basilica. They very quickly coped with the task, and for many years this temple was cared for by the Benedictine Order.

In 1951, dramatic changes took place - the Pope decided to transfer the basilica to the Dominican order. In my opinion, this is due to a certain crisis of the ancient monastic orders in the Catholic Church. Today, young people do not like to join orders that set strict monasticism as their goal. And the Benedictine Order prescribes oraetlabora (Latin), which means “pray and work.” There are quite strict regulations there; monks, for example, do not have the right to leave the monastery without the blessing of the abbot. Therefore, the communities that emerged from Francis of Assisi, from the 13th century, are more popular, where young people are engaged in some types of social activities, helping the sick, the poor, education, and preaching. The motto of the Dominican Order is to praise, bless, preach. Dominicans have always been distinguished by the fact that they were good professors at universities and were successfully engaged in teaching. And the Pope may have therefore transferred the basilica to the Dominican Order.

Then, in the 50s. last century, restoration work began in the temple. During these works, the relics of St. Nicholas were raised in a shrine from the tomb for two years, for the first time in the history of his stay in Bari. And for two years they were not at the altar.

- Do the relics of the Saint still stream myrrh?

Yes, the relics are still streaming myrrh. Scientists conducted in the 1950s. such an experiment: one part of the relics, if I’m not mistaken, it was the tibia of the Saint, they were sealed in a dry sealed flask. And in two years, while restoration work was carried out, this flask was half filled with the world. This was a kind of boldness, because the saint might not have performed such a miracle, but it happened. The relics were again placed under the throne, and there they remain to this day. Miro is taken out once a year, this happens in memory of the transfer of the relics on May 22.

- Tell us about the celebration of the days of St. Nicholas in Bari.

The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast Day of St. Nicholas on December 6 (Julian calendar), and the Orthodox Church on December 19 (Gregorian). But for the residents of Bari, the main holiday is, of course, the day of the transfer of the relics - May 9. The celebrations take place over three days, starting on the evening of May 7, when a mass is celebrated on the shore in St. George's Bay. Now it is actually a suburb of Bari, 7 km from the center. It was there that the relics were delivered by caravel from Mir. They were met by the residents of Bari and carried in a procession to the site of the current basilica. In the evening, the prior of the basilica celebrates mass, thereby opening the Barian celebrations. In fact, these are the days of the city.

May 8 is the culminating day of the holiday in secular terms. The day begins with a mass, which the Archbishop of Bari celebrates in the port, on the deck. Last year, 10-15 thousand people gathered for the service. To the platform where the mass is celebrated, the residents of Bari from the basilica bring a rather large statue of St. Nicholas in episcopal vestments, richly decorated with golden crosses, panagias, a staff, and a golden Gospel. These are mainly donations, gifts from our grand dukes, the Russian aristocracy. This statue of St. Nicholas, a temple image, is greatly revered by the residents of Bari; it is a shrine of the city.

At the end of the Mass, the Archbishop of Bari takes a small bottle of pure myrrh, undiluted, reads a prayer for consecration... and pours manna (fragrant myrrh - Ed.) into the Bay of Bari, thereby sanctifying the sea waters. Then the statue of St. Nicholas is placed on a ship, which is heading to the center of Bari Bay. The mayor of the city is usually on it.

All day long, the residents of Bari on boats, and the richer ones on boats and yachts, swim up to this ship with the statue of St. Nicholas, from there they are handed bags in which people put donations. Dominican monks collect these gifts, giving in return paper icons of the Saint. In the evening, the statue is brought in a religious procession to the main square of the city. Sometimes there is a military air parade and planes fly. This is the secular part and ends on May 8th.

And May 9 is the actual day of the holiday. A mass is celebrated, for which the Pope specially sends a cardinal from Rome. Then the clergy and journalists are allowed into the lower part of the basilica - into the crypt, open a window (and the relics are located at a depth of about two meters), and take out the myrrh. In ancient times, a sponge was placed on the cane to absorb the myrrh. Then the sponge was squeezed into a special ampoule. About 15 or 20 years ago they came up with a special pump with a golden tube, which is used to pump out myrrh more carefully. The last time we got half a liter. Dominicans can give pure myrrh as a gift to the primates of Orthodox Churches in some special cases. And in their church shop they sell diluted myrrh (after pouring it into a water tank).

- Are priests of the Russian Orthodox Church allowed to serve in the basilica?

We are given the opportunity to serve the liturgy on the relics, read akathists, and venerate the relics.

- How do Russians, Italians, and Greeks treat St. Nicholas? Where is Nikolai Ugodnik revered most?

We know that Saint Nicholas was a Greek from Asia Minor, which is why he is revered by the Greeks. But most of all admirers, of course, are in Russia. I visit the basilica almost every day, serving at least a prayer service, at least an Akathist. And I see that one group of Romanians or Greeks comes, and not every month, in the summer, but the bulk of pilgrims are from Russia, up to 70 thousand annually. Although - a paradoxical fact - the largest number of churches dedicated to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is in Germany, the Lutherans have more than 400. This was found out by one scientist in the monastery - Padre Choffar, who counted all the churches of St. Nicholas in Europe and Russia.

Every place has its own characteristics. For example, the Greeks do not recognize the holiday of the transfer of relics. In a sense, they are right - their relics were stolen. On the other hand, we all understand that soon the territory of Myra Lycia was conquered by Turkey, the relics could be destroyed and desecrated. If Saint Nicholas had not wanted to, then, of course, the residents of Bari would not have been able to carry out this operation.

Although... the Barians also had purely economic motives. Bari remained a capital city for a long time; for almost 300 years, the viceroy of the Byzantine, Eastern Roman emperor, who ruled the southern Italian territories, lived here. In Bari, taxes were collected for Constantinople, something remained in place, and economically the city flourished thanks to the presence of the Byzantine governor. But when the Normans captured southern Italy in 1070, Bari lost its capital status. It became a simple town. The residents of Bari believed that the relics of the saint would attract pilgrims. And indeed, Saint Nicholas fed the city of Bari throughout the Middle Ages. Pilgrims flocked from Rus', Greece, Britain, Spain, and everywhere Nicholas was one of the most revered saints.

Without God's Providence nothing happens. Perhaps the providential mission also lies in the fact that today Italians and Catholics see the piety of the Russian people - fervent sincere prayer, the long services that we perform, the communion of Russian pilgrims who come to worship the Pleasant of God.

Regarding veneration among the Italians: we know periods when the Catholic Church generally tried to decanonize St. Nicholas. This happened when the canonization was based on a scientific principle. That is, there should have been documents, such as, for example, acts of martyrdom. Western experts say that St. Nicholas has no documents, so his life contains, among other things, legendary and fictitious moments. And they proposed to decanonize St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Then they were again elevated to the rank of saints, but locally revered. The residents of Bari, of course, especially revere him. But to say that Western Christians and Catholics somehow fervently pray to him is not true.

- Father Andrey, what qualities of St. Nicholas do you consider the most important?

In the first letter of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians it is said: “There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, another of the stars; and star differs from star in glory” (1 Cor. 15:41). That is, there is a certain hierarchy: the sun is our Savior, the moon is the Mother of God, then there is a host of saints. It is clear that each of us, for one reason or another, has some preferences in choosing our favorite saints. Maybe psychological, or perhaps the person read the life and liked some unusual incident. Sometimes it is amazing how this or that saint radically changes his life. We can remember Moses Murin, who was a terrible robber, murderer, and evil man. And how he later repented and what a saint he became. Often we feel the real help of a saint.

By the response that believers receive from St. Nicholas, one can judge that this is one of the greatest saints, closest to God. He occupies a very high position in the Heavenly hierarchy. It’s hard to say why, maybe it’s not open to us. Yes, of course, he prayed, labored, without this there can be no holiness at all. But one way or another, he did not take on special feats, such as Simeon the Stylite. He was in the world, among people, came from a wealthy family. This is an example for us that wealth does not hinder salvation.

But we know what kind of ambulance St. Nicholas is. As the Akathist says: they haven’t even had time to call, but he is already rushing to help - precisely because of the enormous grace that the Lord gave him. And the Lord gives as much grace as a person can bear without becoming proud. Therefore, probably, first of all, he had humility. Not by himself, but by the grace of God, he helps people, saves them during disasters, fires, disasters. And works various other miracles.

Christmas holidays in Europe begin on St. Nicholas Day - December 6th. On this day, Catholics honor the memory of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of travelers and children. St. Nicholas Day has religious roots and celebration traditions developed among the people over centuries. Little is known about the earthly life of St. Nicholas from historical chronicles. Born on the territory of modern Turkey, approximately in 245, died on December 6, 334.
From a young age he devoted himself to serving God and was the bishop of the city of Myra in Lycia. During the persecution of Christians, Nicholas was imprisoned, where he spent eight whole years. While in prison, despite torture, he continued to preach Christianity. Only after Emperor Constantine came to power did the persecution of Christians cease, and the bishop again began to rule over his flock. He was also a participant in the first Ecumenical Council, held in 325 in Nicaea.
From historical sources it is known that Bishop Nicholas acted as the defender of three Byzantines unjustly sentenced to death. People have legends about other good deeds of St. Nicholas, passed down from generation to generation. They tell the story of how Saint Nicholas helped the poor and disadvantaged, and secretly tossed coins and food into children’s shoes placed outside the door. Another legend tells how he helped a poor girl marry her lover by giving her money for a dowry.
In the 10th century, in the Cologne Cathedral, on the day of remembrance of St. Nicholas on December 6, students of the parish school began to distribute sweets. And later in Germany they began to hang shoes or socks in houses so that St. Nicholas would put gifts there for children. These traditions quickly spread throughout Europe. True, only obedient children receive gifts on this day, and disobedient children receive rods. But in anticipation of the holiday, children try not to play pranks, and no one is left without gifts from St. Nicholas.

Heretical prayer of the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate at the relics of St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker for marriage