Our dear priest brought oil from the reliquary of St. Nicholas and loaned us a small 13th century russian icon of him to keep through Christmas. It was very special to have it in our home, and surreal to think of its many years. I think its hard for Americans to really grasp history sometimes, and this icon has been confronting me with my own limited place in time, and the reality of the history that I read.
Our father among the saints Nicholas of Myra, Wonder-worker, was the archbishop of Myra in southern Asia Minor in the fourth century and is also the basis for the Santa Claus legends and imagery which accompany Christmas celebrations in much of the world.
While widely honored and venerated, not only in the Orthodox Church, but throughout most Christian groups, little is known historically of the life of Nicholas. He is known to have been archbishop of Myra and he may have participated in the Council of Nicea in 325. In addition to being honored as the patron saint of many countries, notably Greece and Russia, and of cities, he is the patron of many occupational groups, most notably of sea-farers. St. Nicholas is commemorated by the Church on December 6, and also on May 9 (the transfer of his relics) and on July 29(his nativity). - orthodoxwiki
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