Section 78

as the 6th century; a church was derticated to him in Constantinople about A.D. 5(50. The precise date ot his episcopate is a subject of much controversy. Accord- ing to the popular account, he was a confessor of the faith in the last persecution under Maximiuian, and having survived until the Council of Nice, was one of the bishops who took part in that great assembly. This, however, seems highly improbable. His name does not occur among the signatures to the decrees, nor is he mentioned along with the other distinguished confessors of the faith who were present at the council, either by the historians or, what is more important, by St. Athanasius. He may with more probability be referred to a later period ; but he certainly lived prior to the reign of Justinian, in whose time several of the churches of Constantinople were dedicated to St. Nicho- las. His great popularity and the devotion paid him rest mainly on the traditions, both in the West and in the East, of the many miracles wrought through his intercession. In the Greek Church he ranks next to the great fathers. In the West he began to be rev- erenced in the 10th century, and since the l"2th has been one of the most popular of the saints in all Catholic Europe. What the historical records do not furnish is more than supplied b}' tradition. The stories of St. Nicholas are numberless, and many of them have even been treated in art. According to these legends Nicho- las was born of illustrious Christian parents, when they had been many years married without having children ; and it was thought that this son was given by God as a reward for the alms which they had bestowed upon the Church and the poor, as well as for the prayers they had offered up. Their home was in Panthera, a city of Lycia, in Asia Minor. The very day of his birth this wonderful child arose in his bath, and, join- ing hands, praised God that he had brought him into the world. And from the same day he would only take the breast on Wednesday and Friday, thus know- ing how to fast from the titne he knew hunger. On account of his holy disposition his parents early dedi- cated him to the service of the Church. While still young Nicholas lost both father and mother, and he regarded himself as but God's steward over the vast wealth of which he was possessed, and he did many noble acts of charity. At length he determined to go to Palestine. On the voyage a sailor fell overboard and was drowned, but St. Nicholas recovered him and restored his life: and when a storm arose, and they were about to perish, the sailors fell at his feet and im- plored him to save them, and as he prayed the storm went down. After his return from Palestine Nicholas dwelt in the city of Myra, where he lived unknown in great humility. At length the bishop of Myra died, and a revelation was made to the clergy to the effect that the first man who should come to church the next morning was the man whom God had chosen for their bishop. So when Nicholas came early to church to pray, as was his custom, the clergy led him into the church and consecrated him bishop. He showed him- self well worthy of the dignit)-^ in every way, but es- pecially by his charities, which wore beyond account. Many acts of such wonderful import are told of him that they may well be believed to be the inspiration of an enthusiastic mind. At one time Constantine sent cer- tain tribunes to put down a rebellion in Phrygia. On their journey they stopped at Myra, and Nicholas in- vited them to his table; but as they were to take their seats he heard that the prefect was about to exe- cute three innocent men, and the people were greatly moved thereat. Then Nicholas hastened to the place of execution, followed by his guests. When he arrived the men were already kneeling, with their eyes bound, and the executioner was ready with his sword. St. Nicholas seized his sword, and commanded the men to be released. The tribunes looked on in wonder, but no one dared resist the good bishop. Even the prefect sought the saint's pardon, which was granted after much