UOC Primate: Many of us have a personal story about the help of St Nicholas

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: UOC

On the feast day of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry stressed in his sermon: the saint helps everyone – regardless of faith and nationality, and it is his love that often leads people to the true God. This is reported by the UOC Information and Education Department.

“Saint Nicholas is a servant of God, who became a vessel filled with the Life-Giving Water, that gracious power which the Lord bestowed upon the world through His glorious Resurrection,” said the Archbishop.

His Beatitude shared several stories from life that show how widely Saint Nicholas is venerated – and how he truly helps people.

Thus, during a pilgrimage to Turkey, the homeland of the saint, Bishop Onuphry heard an interesting story from a local tour guide. According to her, many residents of the region – including non-Christians – turn to Saint Nicholas and receive help. Especially, she said, he helps young women to get married.

Another story is about a missionary who preached in the Far East. One day he got into a boat with local residents and noticed in the corner figures of local idols – and among them unexpectedly an icon of Saint Nicholas.

“What, you don’t know? the sailors were surprised. "This is Saint Nicholas. He helps us when there is a storm at sea,” recounted His Beatitude. "And then this missionary thought: 'I thought I was the missionary. But in fact, the missionary here is Saint Nicholas. He brings people to God with his love.'”

According to Metropolitan Onufriy, almost every Christian has a personal story when Saint Nicholas helped through prayer – in trouble, in illness, in anxiety.

“Nicholas the Wonderworker performed many miracles during his earthly life and continues to perform them even after his departure to Heaven. He hears our prayers and asks God for mercy for us,” said the Archbishop.

In conclusion of his sermon, His Beatitude wished everyone the help of the saint:

“May the prayers of Saint Nicholas help each of us to overcome sin, to love God and one another because these are the main commandments that lead us to salvation in Christ Jesus, our Lord.”

As reported by teh UOJ, the Primate led the feast of the St. Nicholas Cathedral in Kyiv.

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