The Great Wednesdays of Saint Nicholas
The Nine Major Wednesdays are intended to highlight the preparation for the liturgical Solemnity of Saint Nicholas on December 6th.
The Dominican Fathers with the Diocese of Bari. have an initiative that uses the Great Wednesdays of Saint Nicholas to lift up the ecumenical role of the church. Parish priests of the diocese, together with their faithful, are invited to pilgrimage to the Basilica for the Wednesdays. The participating parish community offers oil for the uniflamma lamp. The lamp was given to the Basilica in 1936. Pope John Paul II and the Metropolitan of Myra, Chrysostom Konstantinidis lit the lamp together in 1984..
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First Wednesday: A child is a gift from God
Second Wednesday: Parents, first witnesses of the faith with word & example
Third Wednesday: Love your neighbor as yourself
Fourth Wednesday: People to join bishops in service of the plan of salvation
Fifth Wednesday: Blessed are those persecuted for seeking justice
Sixth Wednesday: Christians are to love the truth
Seventh Wednesday: Faith without works is dead
Eighth Wednesday: Nicholas protects Bari and all seaside cities
Ninth Wednesday: Christians to look at death with trust
From the Basilica di San Nicola, Bari, Italy. Used by permission