Orthodox Christians celebrate St. Nicholas Day

On May 22, the Orthodox Christians that follow the Julian calendar remember the translation of the relics of Saint Nicholas from Turkey’s Myra to the Italian town of Bari. Saint Nicholas was born in 260AD in Patara, a coastal town in what is now Turkey. The poor knew him throughout the land for his generosity, his love for children and being associated with ships, the sea and sailors. He lived 102 years. His relics were taken to the Cathedral in Bari in southern Italy in 1087 so that the Muslims could not get them. Fr. Mihail Panas, senior priest at Saint Friday Church in Chisinau, has told Info-Prim Neo that Saint Nicholas was a hermit. He was first a monk in the monastery of Holy Zion near Myra and was then consecrated Archbishop. The Christian Church celebrates Saint Nicholas Day two times a year – on December 19 when he was born and on May 22 when it is marked the historical transfer of his relics. “Tradition has it that Bishop Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in 325 with many other bishops, a meeting that produced what we today call "The Nicene Creed. He fought against arianism – Christian doctrine formulated by priest Arie, which denies the divinity of Jesus Christ,” Mihail Panas said. “When we celebrate the saints we release out minds,” he added.