From the Prologue of Ochrid
This glorious saint, celebrated even today throughout the entire world, was the only son of his distinguished and wealthy parents, Theophanes and Nonna, residents of the city of Patara in Lycia. As an only son, granted to them by God, they in turn consecrated him to God, and thereby gave him to God as an offering. Saint Nicholas learned the spiritual life from his uncle Nicholas, Bishop of Patara, and was tonsured a monk in the monastery of New Zion, founded by this same uncle of his. After the death of his parents, Nicholas distributed his inherited estate to the poor, keeping nothing for himself. As a priest in Patara he became renowned for his mercy, though he carefully concealed his merciful deeds, fulfilling the Lord's word: Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth (Matt. 6:3). When he gave himself to solitude and silence, intending to live thus until death, a voice came to him from on high: Nicholas, go forth to struggle among the people, if thou desirest to be crowned by Me. Immediately thereafter, by the wondrous Providence of God, he was chosen as Archbishop of the city of Myra in Lycia. Merciful, wise, fearless, Saint Nicholas was a true Good Shepherd to his flock. During the persecution of Christians under Diocletian and Maximian he was cast into prison, but even in prison he taught the people the law of God. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, and from great zeal for the truth, struck the heretic Arius with his hand. For this deed he was removed from the Council and from archiepiscopal service until the Lord Christ Himself and the Most Holy Theotokos appeared to several of the first hierarchs at the Council and declared Their favor toward Nicholas. A defender of God's truth, this wondrous saint was also always a courageous defender of justice among people. On two occasions he saved three men each from undeserved death penalty. Merciful, truthful, just, he walked among people as an angel of God. Even during his lifetime people considered him a saint and called upon him for help in sorrows and miseries; and he appeared, in sleep and in waking, to those who called upon him, equally easily and quickly both near and far, and helped. From his face shone light as from the face of Moses, and by his very appearance he brought comfort, tranquility and good will among people. In old age he fell slightly ill and reposed in the Lord, much-laboring and much-fruitful, to rejoice eternally in the Kingdom of Heaven, continuing to help the faithful on earth by miracles and to glorify his God. He reposed on December 6, 343 (see May 9).
