Saint Nicholas of Myra

Saint Nicholas of Myra (c. 270–343 AD) is one of the most beloved and universally venerated saints in the Orthodox Church, celebrated throughout the Christian world as a great wonderworker, protector of the poor, and defender of the faith. Born to a wealthy family in Patara, Lycia (in modern-day Turkey), he gave away his entire inheritance to those in need and devoted his life to God and to the service of others.

Saint Nicholas became Bishop of Myra and is renowned for his countless miracles: he saved three innocent men from execution, provided dowries for three impoverished girls, calmed storms at sea, and multiplied grain during a famine. He is said to have attended the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, where he famously struck the heretic Arius in defense of the divinity of Christ.

Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, travelers, children, the poor, and many nations and cities. His relics were translated to Bari, Italy in 1087, where the Basilica of Saint Nicholas was built in his honor. His feast day is December 6, with a second feast on May 9 commemorating the translation of his relics. Browse our handcrafted Orthodox icons and devotional items honoring Saint Nicholas of Myra, made in our Ohio workshop using traditional Byzantine embroidery techniques.