Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra
St. Nicholas was born late in the third century — according to tradition, in the year 270 A.D. — of a wealthy family in the city of Patara, in a region of southwestern Asia Minor known as Lycia. Early in his life, upon the completion of his education, he was ordained to the priesthood. Upon the death of his parents, he set aside his patrimony and, over time, gave it away to the poor. That philanthropic disposition was most characteristic of him, the virtue of charity shining above all else during his life. In that regard, it is noted in some early Christian writings, St. Nicholas considered himself not the owner of his inherited wealth, but the caretaker of that wealth, which, in his view, was intended by God for the poor.
A well-known story tells of a man with three daughters who had no money to provide the dowries necessary in those days for a proper marriage. Thus, it seemed that the girls were doomed to a life of ignominy, of dishonor, more than likely of slavery, or even worse. However, St. Nicholas secretly provided a bag of gold coins on three separate occasions, which the father used to guarantee good marriages for his three daughters. It is from that story, as well as other similar stories, that the saint is associated with the giving of gifts.
Bishop of Myra
Early in the fourth century, St. Nicholas was elected bishop of Myra, an important seaport near his home town. The people of Myra were delighted with that choice, since previously the saint’s uncle had served as bishop there. St. Nicholas was therefore known to the faithful and recognized for his thoroughly upstanding life, honesty, decency, and piety.
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