My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
THE FALLING ASLEEP IN THE LORD OF SAINT NICHOLAS
THE WONDERWORKER [Part III].
Even if the holy man should be in a crowd, he would be easily identified by his radiant and angelic countenance. As one replete with the Spirit, he was ever engaged in prayer and contemplation, so that of times when one happened to meet him on the road in the midst of others, though the Saint was not preaching but engaged in mental prayer, yet those who merely gazed upon him received benefit. If one were sorrowing and afflicted, such a one needed only to look upon the Saint, and his grief fled, leaving him consoled and even glad. Those who stopped and talked with the Saint were led to compunction. In his presence, they found themselves on the path to virtue and a fuller knowledge of God.
Since, however, Saint Nicholas was a mortal, the time approached for his repose. Prior to his falling asleep in the Lord, he became slightly ill. He reposed in peace and left his honorable and holy relics upon earth as a benefit to mankind, while his blessed soul joyfully ascended into the heavens, accompanied by the hymns of Angels. Both orphans and poor folk weep at the deprivation of their father and pilot. The Myraions, together with strangers, foreigners, and all the world lamented his passing from their midst; for they lost a shepherd and teacher. The holy Archangels and Angels rejoiced upon welcoming such a holy one into their bosoms. The Martyrs were glad and filled with delight upon beholding a fellow Martyr. The righteous were happy upon beholding one such as themselves. Shepherds and teachers were well pleased and received felicity, because he joined the rank of shepherds. Why should I speak and distinguish each order? All of the heavens and the ranks of the Saints and Righteous were cheered that day. Even though the blessed soul of Saint Nicholas went froth form this world, yet he has not forgotten those who invoke him. For this reason, after his blessed repose, miracles without bound have taken place for the faithful who have taken recourse in him. Now we shall recount them, though only a few for the sake of brevity.
RESCUE FROM THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA
At Constantinople, there was a pious and faithful Orthodox Christian who exceedingly loved our righteous Father Nicholas and who, as we shall see, was also beloved by the Saint. On account of some compulsory business, this Constantinopolitan was enjoined to take a sea voyage. Before he embarked, he wished to visit the Church of Saint Nicholas, where he prayed from the depths of his soul for a safe passage. Afterward, he bade farewell to his relatives and friends, and then put to sea. At the ninth hour at night, the crew arose. As they unfurled the sails, the wind changed. In the meantime, that most pious Constantinopolitan also arose to attend to his own personal needs. As the seamen began to busy themselves spreading the sails, that Christian became entangled in the sails and was thrown overboard into the waves. This type of incident was not rare in those times. Though the seamen attempted to help him, yet they were unable to draw him out of the midst of the sea, on account of the deep darkness of night. At the same time, a mighty wind forced the ship forward. The mariner sat on the deck, sorrowing and weeping on account of the bitter death of their passenger.
The Constantinopolitan who fell into those dark waves was fully dressed. He said into those cold, deep waters of the gulf. While he went down, he brought to his mind, which was immersed half in terror and half in hope, the Saint. He began to cry out noetically from the depths of his soul, “O Saint Nicholas, help me!” He kept crying this prayer, even as the midnight waters covered him. Then, O the Wonder! Many and incomprehensible are Thy Marvels, O Lord! The drowning Christian FOUND HIMSELF INSIDE HIS HOUSE. He, however, had not yet perceived his surroundings. In his confusion, he thought he was still submerged in the sea. Consequently, not only mentally but in truth was he shouting aloud, “O Saint Nicholas, help me!” The people in his house heard his shouts and rose up and lit the lamps. The neighbors and those outside also heard his plaintive cries. They ran to the house from which the commotion was emanating. They entered and found their neighbor standing, weeping, and shouting. They observed that HIS CLOTHING WAS SOAKED AND DRIPPING WITH SEAWATER. Out of their awe and consternation, the family, neighbors, and friends were beside themselves before this inexplicable spectacle. Therefore, to their surprise, they stood speechless, not knowing how to respond. That Constantinopolitan collected his mind somewhat and raised his voice at them: “Brethren, what is this that I see? I know very well that yesterday during the ninth hour, I bade you all farewell and put out to sea. We got underway with a mighty wind in our sails taking us forward. During the second or third watch of the night, I left my cabin aboard the ship to take care of a personal need. The mariners were attending to the sails, I became entangled in them and was pushed overboard. I kept calling upon Saint Nicholas for his help, as I sank down farther and farther. Now that I find myself in my own home, I know not how this came to pass. I beseech you to tell me, because I am beside myself and feel as though I have lost my mind
The Christians who had gathered in his home, hearing his fearful account and seeing the water running from his clothes, were sorely astonished. They deemed the extraordinary happenstance nothing short of a miracle. The wept out of joy and gratitude, as they kept exclaiming, “Lord have mercy!” The Constantinopolitan who was rescued from the sea changed his wet clothing for dry attire. He was in a state of profound compunction and went to the Church of Saint Nicholas, where he spent the remainder of the night. He prostrated himself with tears before the holy icon of the Saint. The man was filled with wonder and surprise as he rendered entreaty, supplication, and giving of thanks to the Saint.
The hour of Orthros (Matins) arrived. The faithful, according to tradition, began gathering in the Church of Saint Nicholas. It was then that the miracle of the Saint was made known to all. Now not only were the Venerable holy relics of their bishop interred with the good ointments of virtue, but a sweet-smelling myrrh was also exuding from them, as the previously rescued Constantinopolitan offered fragrant spices to the Saint. The Church of the Saint was also seen to be filled with radiant light, so that the people were questioning one another that they might learn the cause of these extraordinary occurrences. Upon being informed of the manner of their fellow Christian’s miraculous rescue, all were giving glory and thanks to the great Hierarch Nicholas.
This extraordinary and supernatural phenomenon and mighty work of the Saint spread quickly throughout the Great City of Constantinople. The miracle was reported to both the Emperor and Patriarch. The Constantinopolitan man was summoned before the holy Synod, that he might give an account of his ordeal in the deep. Upon presenting himself before all, the Constantinopolitan began to relate with boldness how, when, and in what manner the awesome and mysterious Wonderworking came about. After listening carefully to his remarkable testimony, all the members of the Synod cried aloud, “Thou art great, O Lord, and Wondrous are Thy works, and no words suffice to hymn Thy Wonders!” The Christians gathered together in the Church of Saint Nicholas and concluded a service of entreaty and vigil. They glorified and blessed God, assigning fitting thanksgiving to such a faithful servant of God, our own Saint Nicholas.
It is impossible to recount the countless miracles wrought by Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. Though the land of Myra, is now silent, yet his fame remains inextinguishable and extends throughout the world, which is enlightened by his example. He is a ready defender of widows, and orphans, a cheerful giver to those in need, an avenger of the oppressed and those suffering unjust judgments, and an apt helper to all those in affliction and misfortune. He is inexhaustible in the service he renders others and in his imitation of the Master’s love for people. His repose did not interrupt his wonders on land and sea, which continue to this day, to the Glory of Our Triune God. Amen. [Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church]
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“Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things”
– Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Ethos 