Translation of the Relics of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker to Bari, Italy
May 9/22—Today the Church solemnly commemorates the Translation of the Relics of Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia—one of the most highly revered saints in the Orthodox Christian tradition.
This holy hierarch, who lived in the 4th century, became renowned for his miracles, his boundless compassion, and his fervent intercession on behalf of those in need. The veneration of Saint Nicholas extended far beyond the boundaries of the Christian East; thousands of churches dedicated to him have been erected across the globe.
After his blessed repose, the saint’s holy relics rested in the city of Myra, in Lycia—a region now lying in modern-day Turkey. In the 11th century, on the eve of the region's conquest by the Seljuk Turks, Christian merchants from the Italian city of Bari undertook a sacred mission. With great devotion, they secretly transported the saint’s relics from Myra and brought them to Bari, where a magnificent basilica was erected to enshrine them.
We should note that southern Italy, where the town of Bari is located, was still a constituent part of the Eastern Roman, or Byzantine Empire. The population of the region was firmly Orthodox—and largely Greek-speaking—and the bishops were under the Patriarch of Constantinople.
On this sacred day, festive services are held in Orthodox churches across the globe, and the faithful lift their hearts in prayer to Saint Nicholas, entreating his help and protection. He is especially honored as the patron of travelers, sailors, children, and all those in distress and need of divine aid.
Among the Russian and Ukrainian people, this feast is also known as "Никола летний" or “Summer Nicholas,” distinguishing it from the winter feast in honor of the saint, celebrated on December 6/19.
Earlier, the Union of Orthodox Journalists reported on remarkable and lesser-known facts concerning the life and legacy of Saint Nicholas.
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