ST. NICHOLAS, Bishop - December 6 - Patron of Bakers and Pawnbrokers. It is the common opinion that St. Nicholas was a native of Patara in Lycia, Asia Minor. He became a monk in the monastery of Holy Zion near Myra. Of this house he was made Abbot by the Archbishop, its founder. When the See of Myra, the capital of Lycia, fell vacant, St. Nicholas was appointed its Archbishop. It is said that he suffered for the Faith under Diocletian, and that he was present at the Council of Nice as an opponent of Arianism. His death occurred at Myra, in the year 342. St. Nicholas' virtue appears to have been his charity for the poor. It is also related that he made great sacrifices from his very infancy. St. Nicholas is recognized as the patron saint of children, and our well- known Santa Claus is a corruption of St Nicholas. The Emperor Justinian built a church in his honor at Constantinople in the suburb of Blacharnae, about the year 340. He has always been honored with great veneration in the Latin and Greek Churches. The Russian Church seems to honor him more than any other saint after the Apostles.

PRAYER - We call upon Your mercy, 0 Lord. Through the intercession of St. Nicholas, keep us safe amid all dangers so that we may go forward without hindrance on the road of salvation. Amen.