Justorum Semita. DECEMBER 6. S. Nicolas, Bishop. 342. S. NICOLAS bishop of Myra, the capital of Lycia in Lesser Asia, was born at Patara, a town in the same province, about three miles distant from the capital. He early devoted himself to God in the religious life, and was appointed abbat of the monastery of the Holy Zion by the bishop of Myra, his predecessor, who had founded it. There he lived in seclusion, till he was chosen to fill the vacant see of Myra. In this high office he became famous for his great piety and zeal; which, as ancient writers testify, were honoured by God with frequent miracles. Instances of his charity are recorded, in which he bound those who were indebted to him by a solemn promise not to reveal his name till after his decease. The Greek historians of his life say that he was imprisoned for the faith, and that he witnessed a good confession for Christ in the end of the persecution under Dioclesian. They say also that he was present at the council of Nicæa. But the silence of other authors, particu B larly of those who have written the history of the council, and have recorded the names of the fathers who composed it, makes this supposition extremely doubtful. The nearness of Myra to Nicæa is the strongest reason, and indeed the only one, that can be alleged in its support. He died in the year 342, at Myra, and was buried in his cathedral. Many churches were built in his honour; among others, one by the Emperor Justinian, in the sixth age, at Blaquernæ, near Constantinople; and in that city alone there were three churches called by his name. In the year 1087 his remains were brought from Myra to Bari, on the coast of the Adriatic, by some merchants of that town. They used force to obtain them from the monks who guarded the church where the saint lay; and they were chased on board of their ships by the inhabitants, who attempted in vain to prevent the sacrilegious act. The excuse which was pleaded in its defence was, that the precious relics were thus saved from the indignities which would have been offered to them if they had fallen into the hands of the Mahometans. They were translated to Bari on the 9th of May, 1087, and were deposited with great ceremony in the church of S. Stephen, by the bishop. That day was ever afterwards kept as a festival in honour of the event. Crowds of pilgrims resorted to the church, to witness the wonderful miracles which God was pleased to work at the tomb of his saint. S. Nicolas is generally represented in his pontifical attire, giving the benediction; and near him is a cauldron containing several children. This alludes to his having miraculously delivered some Christian children who had been condemned to that cruel death by the Pagans. S. Nicolas has ever been considered the patron of children. The reason of this is given in simple language in the Book of Festivals: "It is said that his fader hyght Epiphanius, and his moder Joanna, when he was born, made him Christen, and called him Nycolas, that is a manne's name; but he kepeth the name of a child, for he chose to kepe vertues, mekenes, and simplenes, and without malice. Thus he lyved all his lyfe in vertues with his childe's name. And therefore children do him worship before all other saints." Hence arose the ancient custom, among the children of cathedral and collegiate churches and schools, of celebrating his feast with many curious ceremonies. On S. Nicolas' day one of the choristers was annually chosen by his companions to preside over them, with the name and dignity of a bishop; and his office lasted till the Feast of the Innocents. He was arrayed in the pontifical vestments, and could sing any part of the Divine Office except the Mass. On the Feast of the Innocents there was a grand procession, in which the usual order was reversed, and the canons of the church performed the duties of the children, while the choristers and their child-bishop had the place of dignity assigned to them. The reason of this is given in a sermon delivered by a boy-bishop in Gloucester cathedral. His text was S. Matth. xviii. 3. "Thus much have I said of the virtue of innocency for the honour of those blessed Innocents who are remembered in the Church this day; which day, as it is commonly |