on life, St. Nicholas was born in the III century in a small Greek colony called Patara, which was located in the Roman province of Lycia.While the appearance and culture of the region was Hellenistic.Nicholas and his childhood was very religious, and he decided to devote his life to Christianity.
assumed that the parents of Nicholas were wealthy.Their whole family lived in Patara, Lycia, and that is where Nicholas received his primary education.When his parents died, he inherited all of their condition, but decided to give it to charity.
beginning operations as a cleric Nicholas, considered to be the time of occurrence of two Roman emperors Maximian (reigned 286-305 years) and Diocletian (reigned 284-305 years).The 303-year it had issued an edict, emperor Diocletian, who legalized the constant persecution of Christians throughout the empire.
After both the emperor renounced the Board on May 1, 305 years, their successors have decided to change its policy toward Christians.
Western Empire freed from the constant Christian persecution, thanks to Constance chlorine (reigned 305-306 years).On the eastern side, the new emperor Galerius continued persecution to 311 the year.In his last year of the reign, galleries are near death, he issued an edict of toleration.The persecution, which lasted from 303 311, considered the longest in the history of the empire.
After Galerius died, he was succeeded by Licinius (reigned 307-324 years), and it refers to Christians generally tolerant, so, the Christian community began to develop.Just relates to this period, when St. Nicholas was a bishop in the world (ancient Lycia in the Roman Empire, and today the city is called Demre, is located in the Turkish province of Antalya).
In addition, Nicholas is credited with several destruction of pagan temples, including a temple of Artemis (also known as Diana).
As legend, Nicholas was temporarily stripped of his episcopal dignity in 325, during the Ecumenical Council, for having struck the face of the Arian heresy (opponent Nicholas).
Also known as a defender of Nicholas and those who slandered.He often delivered these people from the fate of being innocently convicted.In addition, the prayer known Nicholas for travelers and sailors.
