Akathist to Nicholas the Wonderworker

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker is one of the most revered saints in Russia. The article tells about the biography, prayers for the saint, is told when Akathist is read to Nicholas the Wonderworker, and why this holy saint has received such a name.

Biography of St. Nicholas

Nicholas the Wonderworker was born at the end of the 3rd century in the country of Lycia, the city of Patara. Throughout his life, he was able to perform many blessings and miracles, from which he was loved by the people, this is said by Akathist to Nicholas the Miracle-Worker - a hymn, praise to the saint.

Theophanes and Nonna, his pious parents, belonged to a wealthy estate. On the advice of Bishop Pataisky, who was an uncle of St. Nicholas, he was consecrated to the service of God. Even in his youth St.. Nicholas showed himself virtuous: he comprehended Holy Scripture, avoided contact with peers and often visited the temple. Very young St. Nicholas took initiation to the rank of presbyter and gave his whole life to churches and parishioners, observing fasts and doing unceasing prayers. After the death of his parents, St. Nikolai spent his legacy to help the poor.

Once, traveling to Palestine to the Holy Sepulcher, the saint was able to tame a storm at sea. It was not for nothing that Nikolai Chudotvorets called him. His prayers performed real miracles. So, praying over the broken sailor who fell from the mast, the saint was able to resurrect him.

After visiting the holy places in Jerusalem, St. Nikolai wanted to retire to the desert. But during the prayer there was a Divine voice, talking about the need to return to his homeland and change his chosen field. Monastic life was abandoned, and St.. Nikolai went to the main city of Lycia - Myra. There at that time they elected the archbishop. The elder of the priests saw a vision: a bright man came to him and told him to go to the church door at night and wait for the first one to enter it. This is the chosen one of God. His name is Nikolai. As soon as St.. Nicholas entered the church, the bishop, to whom the phenomenon was, stopped him and asked him to say his name. St. Nicholas was accepted as the protector of God, who is destined to receive the rank of archbishop.

During the reign of Emperor Diocletian, the persecution of the church began. St. Nicholas continued to preach Christianity. For this he was thrown into prison, but there his spirit was not broken. The oppression of the Christian faith ended only under the emperor Constantine. Archbishop Nikolai of Lycia again returned to his parishioners. The saint lived in the care of people, and after his passing the believers, reading the Akathist to Saint Nicholas, are sure of his intercession.

In connection with the strife within the church in 325, the first Ecumenical Council took place , at which the incident took place. St. Nicholas struck the cheek Aria, not enduring in the dispute of his blasphemy. St. Nicholas was deprived of the episcopal order. But after several bishops saw Jesus Christ and the Mother of God standing on either side of St. Nicholas, his act was regarded as pleasing to God and san was returned to him. St. Nicholas died a deeper old man in the Worlds in 343. Now his relics are in Italy, in the city of Bari, in the basilica of St. Nicholas.

Prayers for St. Nicholas

Akathist consists of 12 stanzas of icicles and 13 stanzas, called kondaks. He narrates about the life of the saint and his deeds. Reading the Akathist to Nicholas the Miracle-Worker, the refrain repeats in the icicles - Rejoice! This is a form of greeting that came from Greece. Usually this form of prayer is performed during worship services and prayer services.

Always, and during his life, and after death, St. Nicholas remains the defender of all the offended, slandered and unhappy. To him, women who dream of getting married marry in prayer, go to the road seeking his intercession. People, turning to the saint, read Akathist to Nicholas the Miracle-Worker, and he always fulfills their requests. Helps to find support in life.