Today the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the Day of St Nicholas. In Europe, his day falls on December 6th; and in Russia it is otherwise called the Wintry Nikola Day. There is also the Spring Nikola Day, celebrated on May 22.
This saint was widely celebrated in both churches, however, the Western iconography supersedes the Eastern in many aspects. Western artists liked to portray him making one of the two miracles. First, was the Miracle of Three Sisters when the saint offered them 3 bags with gold to relieve them of an unnecessary marriage. In fact, these three bags have become the saint’s symbol. The second was the Miracle of Sailors when the saint saved the ship caught up in tempest.
Later on the saint became a favourite character of children’s celebrations, and it is through this tradition that he eventually became a staple of today’s popular culture.
So below are some pictures from the Renaissance period and the 19th century, showing the change in the saint’s role.
Incidentally, my father’s name is Nicholas (Nikolai), so my paternal name is Nikolaevna (daughter of Nikolai, i.e.). My parish church and the one where I got baptised 5 years ago in another parish in the centre of Moscow are both consecrated to him. So I certainly believe that this saint plays an important role in my life, too.
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