The Life of St. Nicholas of Myra

by John, Deacon of the Church of St Januarius,¹ ca. AD 880

John the Deacon translated the earliest Latin life of St. Nicholas of Myra from the Greek Methodius ad Theodorum. This Latin text is the foundation for many of the St. Nicholas stories and legends in the West. English translation from the Latin by Roger Pearse.

Prologue
Birth of Nicholas
His Parents and Upbringing
His Way of Life
The Three Virgins — The First Dowry
The Three Virgins — The Second and Third Dowries
A Bishop Chosen by God
His Character as Bishop
The Miracle of the Sailors
The Miracle of the Wheat
St. Nicholas and the Devil
Stratilates: The Three Generals
Three Generals Sent to Phrygia Arrive in Andriake
The Release of the Three Innocents
Stratilates: The Three Generals Further
The Generals are Thrown into Prison
The Generals Call Upon St. Nicholas
St. Nicholas Appears in a Dream to the Emperor and the Prefect
Before Constantine: Interrogation and Release
The Emperor Praises St Nicholas
The Generals Visit St. Nicholas
Prologue to the Miracle Stories
Epilogue

1. Prologue

Just as any material construction built by an inexperienced craftsman is condemned not only to inelegance, but even to structural shortcomings, so a series of written words, if arranged by an uneducated man with a quick verbosity, will fall down, not only in charm of speech but also in depth of understanding. I, John, an unworthy deacon, a servant of St. Januarius, was carefullly avoiding this, and when you very often were asking me, Brother Athanasius, I used to place in opposition the obstacle of my rustic simplicity. But when in frequent requests you thrust upon me the apostolic words: "Love overcomes all things", at length I gave my assent, on account of the devotion towards the most holy servant of God, Nicholas, which you were proud to have from your ancestors, to set forth in Latin words his birth, his life, and the miracles which the Lord did through him. But since I know that I am of ineffectual speech, in the opinion of the most liberal teachers, I therefore implore all who shall come to be earnest readers of this work, not to rush into too easy criticism and begin to judge me as uneducated and incompetent. Let them, please, make allowance for my age and to my nature. For indeed, as I am not yet twenty-five years old, and weaker by nature, I was eager more to learn than to write anything. However we have tried to extract, summarily and briefly, the origin of this saint and the life, out of the eulogy which the Patriarch Methodius composed about him in the Argolian style² to a certain Primicerius³ named Theodorus, who was asking him to. I have also brought in his other miracles, taking from other teachers more the sense than the exact words. If this our abbreviated narration displeases anyone, I send him to the flowery commentaries of the Greeks, which, the more extensively they speak about him, the more they repeat themselves in both content and language. But I did not write about his departure, how the saint passed from this world, for this reason, because I could not find that anywhere. But why is his ending so obstinately inquired about, since deeds of such power show that he has flown to heaven, released from the bonds of the flesh and the house of clay, and on a heavenly throne triumphs eternally with Christ?

So, having said this, we ask you, O monk of God, to exhort the whole community, so that, pouring out your prayers together you may obtain from God that He may bestow on my inexperienced self the ability to write. Who when he wishes, not only does he make the tongues of infants eloquent, but also those of brute animals, and opens their mouths to speak words. You then, my brother, in particular, may you not stop praying for the protection of this saint for us, so that the things which I presume to write about him may be approved, not by human but by divine judgement. And just as we read that many rejoiced at his protection, so may we rejoice in his merits, having been rescued from the ancient enemy, and protected from our enemies.

2. Birth of St Nicholas

Nicholas was born into an illustrious family, and he was a citizen of the city of Patara, one of the most noble cities of the province of Lycia. This was once renowned, as famous as it was also crowded from the accession of many people. But lately because of its sins, reduced to the likeness of a tiny town, it is lived in by few inhabitants. Concerning this - because the opportunity has presented itself, although we may seem to make a digression at the beginning, yet, because I think that it is beneficial to many - we are arranging to transmit to posterity a kind of great prodigy, just as the report came down to us through a series of persons in succession. For there is in the vicinity of the same city, a certain area of the plain, which is so completely covered with most frequent fissures, just like the tears in an old garment, and out of the gaping channels it emits a foul vapour during the day; but during the night, like a blacksmith's furnace, it emits a burning flame. It is said that its nature is that, if anyone, for the sake of experience, places his hands quite close, he does indeed feel the heat, but suffers no burns.

O the wonderful goodness of the Lord, the wonderful mercy! Who, although He is almighty, to Whom no one dares say, "Why are you doing this?", He does not instantly strike down the wicked nor destroy them in mid-crime, but sometimes He coaxes them with paternal affection, sometimes He thunders terrible threats; often he even terrifies them with visible signs, so that they may at last repent of their wrongdoings, and not pay the penalties due by a just verdict. So in just this way formerly, when the sons of God were uniting with the daughters of men, contrary to His will, He commanded Noah to construct the ark, in order that, at least terrified by fear, they would desist from unlawful intercourse. But because they did not restrain themselves in any way, by a judgement of water, the whole world perished. Indeed he endured the Gomorrahites and the Sodomites with such patience that he deigned to come down and see whether or not they had filled up the full number of those actions. Abraham met him and asked him, in friendly conversation not to destroy everyone if there were ten righteous men there. What then? Did the Truth deceive Abraham? God forbid. But when no righteous man was found there, except Lot, and when he himself was removed from the midst of them, He condemned the rest by the judgement of brimstone. And rightly so, so that those who had spread the stink of their action far and wide might be destroyed with a fitting stench.

See now, the luckless inhabitants of the aforementioned city, having pursued every luxury, and devoted themselves to every pleasure of the flesh, mercifully, in order to correct them, have also received a sign of tremendous vengeance. Concerning them, it must be understood that, if they had rebuked themselves with any penitence, by no means would they have been punished with horrible extermination.

Alas, alas, O wicked plague! Such are your rewards, such are your gifts, that those, whom you entice in a bad way, you also cause to perish in a bad way. It will come, believe me, that day will come, when both you and your author, the devil, will be condemned to eternal fire. The fire of the aforesaid city has a similarity to this, which burns, and does not burn away.

Let it be a burden to no-one, that I have briefly summarised these things. Now let us put together what we have started concerning the holy man.

3. His Parents and Upbringing

Now the aforesaid city was still crowded with many of the best sort of people, and his parents, the more they were celebrated with great honour among the ranks of the powerful, the more they sought the glory rather of heavenly than of earthly honour, afire with the desire of a heavenly homeland. For in fact, although they were very rich, they did not want any insignia of public office, nor to control the reins of power of any position of the highest rank, but, binding themselves with all zeal to a rule of continence, they strove to practise a celibate life.

And in an admirable way, when in the first flower of youth they had begotten this only son, they renounced all pleasures of the flesh, and in their prayers, which they frequently poured out in the temple of the Lord, they asked that this sole descendant, should be the heir not so much of their riches as also of their morals.

God, looking down from on high on their wishes, did not disregard their petition. He deigned to reveal clearly what kind of boy, in himself, he was going to be, so to speak, from the very beginning of his birth. In fact while he was still being fed with his mother's milk, he began, twice a week, namely on the fourth and sixth day, to drink from the breasts only once, and so he remained satisfied with this amount all day long.

Who, O God, immeasurable king, who of mortals ever dares to argue with the works of your omnipotence? Who does not tremble at your magnificence, who call upon things which are not as if they are? Behold the son of a new Zechariah the prophet, of a second Elizabeth!⁴ The former was filled with the Holy Spirit in his childhood, and even in his mother's womb; the latter, wrapped in a swaddling band, likewise built a temple of the Holy Spirit at whatever expense he could. The former, born of an elderly parent, precedes Christ as a sign; the latter, born of a young mother, followed Christ from childhood. God forbid, however, that we, although this saint was of ineffable merit before God, should put him on a level with the blessed John. As the Lord says: "Among those born of women, there has not arisen a greater than John the Baptist."⁵ But we, as we are able, weak in so much, and with what words we are able, praise the great works of God. For who hears that a little child drinks from his mother's nipples once a day, and no more, and easily believes it? Who is not astounded, struck by hearing such a thing? But if we pay attention to the Lord speaking in the gospel, "My Father works until now, and I work;"⁶ all unbelief departs, and every objection is put to sleep.

4. His Way of Life

So having passed his boyhood years with simplicity at home, like the patriarch Jacob, he began to be a young man of good character, and he did not, as is customary at that age, embrace the license of the world. But sometimes accompanied, in the footsteps of his parents, sometimes alone, he trod the thresholds of the churches, and there, not forgetful, he stored in the cabinet of his heart what he was listening to, with open ears, concerning the Scriptures. Then when he was deprived of both parents, he often put before the eyes of his mind that gospel saying, "Unless a man renounce all that he possesses, he cannot be my disciple,"⁷ and when he was out of breath trying to bring about what he was turning over in his pious heart, dread began to shake his youthful mind, for fear that a puff of applause should ruin whatever he was determined to do for the sake of Christ. Then in private, drawing back every veil of his longings before God, he prayed that He who has all knowledge would deign to inspire him, in order that he might so arrange things concerning the great wealth which had been left to him, that he might be approved in the divine presence with no human praise.

5. The Three Virgins - The First Dowry

While he was considering such things, it happened that one of his overwealthy fellow-citizens fell into such poverty that he did not even have the necessities of life. What more can I say? With his hunger increasing, he decided to prostitute his three virgin daughters, whose hands in marriage even humble men were spurning, so that by their infamous trade he might at least carry on his unhappy life. Shame on him! Immediately the report of such an evil - nothing else spreads faster than that, or with more rapidity, - demoralised the whole city, and it filled people with much talk. When the holy man discovered this, he sympathised with that most miserable man, and, deploring the defilement of the virgins, he decided to replenish completely their poverty out of his abundance, so that the nobly-born girls should not be defiled by the infamy of the brothel. But as he was unwilling to have any observer of his own deed other than Christ, he began to explore the different times at which this might be done in such a way, as to also be unknown to those for whom it was being done.

Hurry, O servant of God! Relieve the father from poverty, release the daughters from prostitution! Let the soil of your mind, hitherto cultivated with a holy ploughshare, suddenly burst forth into twin fruit, so that from one, the mouth of the hungry is satisfied, and from the other, the unchastity of the virgins is bought off. Do not hide the fruits sown by Christ, which are free from weeds. Open up your treasury, so that the royal treasures of godliness result. Don't be dismayed at the crackling of adulation, because the flame of the vices does not burn up the riches which Christ approves. That building does not fear eternal fire which is built by the supreme craftsman. Break through every delay, complete the good deed, so that men may see, indeed feel, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.⁸

So when the hour of a certain night arrived, he took not a little gold, and wrapping it in a cloth, he went to the man's house; he secretly threw the gold inside, through a window which seemed appropriate, after looking from all sides, and secretly departed.

O, the cunning of the new Jacob!⁹ The former made preparation, with Laban, to avoid losing wages, but the latter did so to avoid being deprived of heavenly rewards. The former¹⁰ placed the peeled rods in the watering-troughs, so that each animal might receive vari-coloured offspring; the latter, so that he might be able to obtain the many joys of Elysium, threw a bag inside the confines of the building. The latter, O good Teacher¹¹ , is your not inattentive listener, who, in obedience to Your commands, has fulfilled two commandments: he has both taken pity on the beggar, and also he has completed the work in such a way, that the left hand had no knowledge of the right hand.¹²

In the morning, therefore, when the man had arisen, and had discovered that gold, he at first stood frozen, and then he exulted with so much joy, and he gave such great thanks to God; if anyone wanted to, they could realise this from his flowing tears which the magnitude of his joy had poured out.

Now, just for a moment, we must ask that man about his unexpected rejoicing. Tell me, I ask you, O man, why do you rejoice with such a dance? For until now you showed a gloomy face; now I see you cheerful. "Truly, I say, you see me rejoicing, because the merciful Lord, I don't know through whom, has provided help to my life, so that I can be free from the infamy which I was running into unwillingly." To whom then do you ascribe this extraordinary kindness to yourself? Perhaps to your faith? "Absolutely to that." O reckless tongue of man! A little while ago, you showed yourself of such great unbelief, that, when tempted, you did not seek grace, but you decided to prostitute the temple of the Holy Spirit; and now you claim that you are worthy of it? What do you call "the temple of God", you say? Do you want to know what? Listen to the "chosen vessel"¹³ , how clearly he describes this. "Everyone," he says, "who lives chastely, is the temple of God and the dwelling-place of the Holy Spirit."¹⁴ If it is so - or rather, because it is so - why did you order that your daughters be prostituted? Because you were overcome by starvation. And why did you not labour with your own hands, just as the apostles did, who are attested to have laboured, not only for themselves, but also in order to have the means from which they might relieve the needs of those suffering?¹⁵ "My rank as a nobleman did not permit me to carry out any labour." You wretch, if you considered yourself noble, why did you choose that girls, born from you, should be degraded in the tawdry service of pimps? Learn, then, you wretched man, learn not to attribute to your "faith" something that deserves the verdict of the apostle, saying, "He who violates the temple of God, him shall the Lord destroy,"¹⁶ but attribute this to the the great mercy of God, who does not allow the light of his servant to be concealed for very long under a bushel, so that the light should not be concealed in darkness but that, placed on a lampstand, it might give light to all those who are in the house of the Lord.¹⁷ So call back your daughters, be the arranger of a lawful union, not the pimp of an unlawful union; hand over to husbands those whom you were throwing down to fornicators. Let them rejoice in lawful marriage, not be defiled by unlawful intercourse. Believe me, there is someone ready to provide a dowry for you, so that you can unite them all in permanent marriage.

6. The Three Virgins - The Second and Third Dowries

Therefore, having celebrated the wedding of his eldest daughter according to custom, the man began to inquire diligently who it was that had shown such kindness to his poverty.

While such things were slowly in motion, Nicholas, the servant of Jesus Christ, not long afterwards, in the same manner as before, performed a similar action. O man, expert in every skill, and instructed in every kind of knowledge! Who, in order to show that he observed both testaments¹⁸ , is not content with the law of the letter, but adds the evangelical grace, so that by two rivers, flowing from a single source, he might water thoroughly the garden of a dried-up faith, lest the thorns, cut back by the sickle of piety, might still be able to choke the joyful fruit with the tares of an unspeakable command. But when day was restored to the earth, and the man leapt up from his bed, and he found that the weight of the yellow metal was equal to that of the former, he exulted with so much joy, that although the fluent eloquence of a Homer or a Maro¹⁹ were available, I think that he would have collapsed in having to express the magnitude of such great praise. But rather than repeating any of his prayer, we have chosen to leave the rest in silence to the sagacious reader rather to understand than to investigate. Then he prayed like this: "Lord, Lord," he said, "without whose approval neither the sparrow nor the leaf of a tree falls to the ground, I entreat your ineffable mercy, you who know all things, to deign to show me, a sinner, who he is, who does not cease to present me with so many good things. But this, Lord, I beg of you, not that, with reckless daring, I may touch him with my soiled hands, but that I may know your servant, who, living among men, has an angelic way of life, and may magnify your blessed name forever." In such words he was praying, and exhorting himself with such words: "I will certainly put sleep from my eyes, I will watch carefully, and I will spend the night watching. Perhaps the Lord will show me his servant." He spoke, and having spoken he began to put it into action.

The Third Dowry

In the meantime a very few days having passed, behold, Nicholas, the worshiper of the Trinity, arrived, and, desiring to complete the twice-repeated action with a triple number, he threw in a sum of money equal to the previous two. Awoken by the sound of that, the man went out immediately, sometimes hurrying, and sometimes running, and followed closely behind him, with these words: "Stop, and don't withdraw yourself from my sight. Long have I wished to see you. Long have I longed to behold you." So saying, he ran faster, and having shortened the distance, he recognized Nicolas through the shadows. Having immediately prostrated himself on the ground, he tried to kiss his feet. This the saint, pious as he was, forbade him to do. But speaking to him briefly, he required from him that, while he drew breath, he should not disclose to anyone at all that Nicholas was the originator of this matter. The blessed man imitated the blessed Master, who forced, not only men but also demons, not to spread his fame among the people.²⁰ For Him, this was so they didn't mix falsities with truths, but the other so he wouldn't be celebrated in any way by gossip, and he forbade the man to disclose his name in any way.

He must be reverenced in every prayer, and celebrated with all praises, who, knowing that he cannot please two masters, chose the One, whose burden is light, whose yoke is easy to bear,²¹ for Whom, bowing his neck with all devotion, he discarded the heavy burden of the world with delight. For he was unwilling to obtain any worldly fame whatever, so that he was not deprived of the company of the saints. He committed himself continuously to God, Who regulates and orders everything, when He wishes and how He wishes.

7. A Bishop Chosen by God

After these things had happened, the city of Myra, the metropolis, was deprived of its bishop. The bishops of the adjacent districts mourned his death not a little, for he had indeed been very religious, and they assembled together with all the clergy, so that, with the blessing of the Lord Jesus, they might provide that church with a suitable governor according to the ordinances of the canons. And so once the meeting started, a certain pontiff of great authority was present, on whose nod the opinion of all depended, so that they would all doubtless elect the one whom this man put forward by his voice. This man, following the footsteps of the apostles in all things, therefore exhorted everyone to proceed with the most devout fasts and prayers, so that He, who supplied Matthias to supplement the apostolic number, with his usual clemency might Himself deign to make known who He wanted to enter into so great a priestly office. Then everyone, as if nudged by a heavenly oracle, turning to God thus, prayed urgently from their inmost hearts, that the Eternal Shepherd would deign to reveal the most suitable shepherd of his sheep. For while they were praying with the utmost devotion, the aforesaid pontiff heard a voice from heaven, telling him to go out and stand before the doors of the church, and the one whom he saw arriving first at dawn, him should they consecrate as bishop, adding also that he would be called Nicholas. Then that bishop, sharing this revelation with the rest of his fellow-bishops, added, "While you continue in prayer, I will keep watch outside. For I believe that we should not be deprived of the promise of God." Thus he spoke, and he observed the doors of the basilica with holy watchfulness. In a wonderful manner, at dawn, as if sent from God, before anyone else there came Nicholas. And when he approached the doors of the church, the bishop stopped him with his hand, and gently questioned Him, saying: "What is your name?" He, as he was, with the simplicity of a dove, bowed his head, and said, "Nicholas, the servant of your holiness." At once the bishop, taking his hand, said to him, "My son, come with me. There is a private business which I must reveal to you." Immediately having entered, "Well, brothers," he proclaimed, "Truly the Lord said, 'Whatever you shall ask in my name, believe that you will receive it, and it will be done for you.' Well, I say, we have received what we asked for! Behold, here is the one whom your charity asked for."

Having seen him, they all raised a great clamour to the stars, and competed with one another to praise the greatness of the Saviour. The bishops rejoiced for a colleague sent to them from heaven, the clergy were frolicking around like happy sheep. Why say more? Although he struggled and greatly opposed this, and greatly resisted, he was immediately enthroned, as custom required, and received the pontifical dignity of that country.

Wonderful, truly, marvellous, and stupendous are the things which are narrated, and, if it is appropriate, comparable to the ancients in all respects. For the Holy Spirit once commanded the prophet Samuel to go to the house of Jesse, and anoint one of his sons, as a king pleasing to the Lord. But now a voice from heaven has given orders to this bishop, praying from his inmost heart, to keep watch in front of the doors of the temple in order to find there a bishop worthy in God and useful to holy church. To the former, though seeing, only the place, not the name of the king is predicted; to the latter both the place, and the name of the bishop is revealed. The former consecrated the head of the king with a horn of oil, the latter invoked the power of the Holy Spirit upon the head of Nicolas. But all the same both the king and the bishop, each of them, were chosen by the Lord. So we must not be ridiculed at all, for daring to compare small things with great things.

From this we turn our pen to those things which he did, with the help of the Lord, during his episcopate. But because it is not our task to narrate everything exactly, we more earnestly request to be forgiven, not in proud insolence, but in humble boldness; and may what we stammering explain with difficulty in very few words be accepted willingly for the sake of love of the saint.

8. His Character as Bishop

Having been raised therefore to the pontifical chair, he maintained the same dignity of character, and the same humility, as before. Frequently he kept watch through the night in prayer, and weakened his body with fastings. Although from his youth he had abhorred the company of women, now he fled from this as if it was a kind of plague. He showed that he was humble in receiving people, and effective in speaking. He was swift in exhorting, severe in correcting. He attended to the business of widows, orphans and the oppressed, and as if they were his own. He detested the plundering of the powerful, he rebuked the violent, and if by any chance he perceived someone afflicted, he wonderfully restored him and still more wonderfully comforted him.

Every day the fame of his goodness increased, which spread the praises of Nicolas everywhere. Here a powerful man invoked his name, there a powerless man. All the people rejoiced at such a patron. The lords rejoiced at so great a pontiff, who showed himself so full of authority and grace that he took care of everything but did not lose the dignity of a bishop. But time would fail me, and my discourse would fall short, if I attempted to write about every single one of his merits. But anyone who would like to know what kind of man he was, and how greatly he excelled, let him hold back the biting tooth, and, from what follows, he will be able to understand it clearly. So because Nicholas was strengthened with the virtue of every spiritual gift, and attributed nothing to himself, but everything to God's grace, he then began to shine so much with miracles, so that not only his own people, but also foreigners, oppressed by whatever difficulties, by calling upon his name immediately felt relief.

9. The Miracle of the Sailors

Now one day some sailors were in danger of a sudden storm at sea, to the point that everything threatened an immediate death for them, with their limbs weakened by the cold, and they immediately began to cry out, "O Nicholas, servant of God, if what we have heard about you is true, let us now experience it, as we are put to the utmost danger, so that, having been rescued from the raging waves of the sea, we may give thanks to God and for our deliverance by you." O wonderful thing! To those offering up such things, there appeared something in the shape of a man, saying to them, "Well, you have called me. Behold! Here I am." And he began to help them with the ropes and halyards and the other equipment of the ship. Not long after, all the crashing of the waves abated, and the whole storm ceased. Then the overjoyed sailors, ploughing the tranquil seas, arrived as quickly as possible at the desired port.

On disembarking, they began to ask where Nicholas was. Then, when it had been indicated to them in the church, they went in immediately and, wonderful to relate, instantly recognised he whom they had never met, without any sign. At once they prostrated themselves at his feet and began giving thanks to him, telling how they had been delivered with his help from the verge of death. To whom the saint said, "Do not think that what happened is from my own power. It is the usual mercifulness of God, who in his clemency, not on account of me, his unworthy servant, but on account of the sincerity of your faith, has deigned to rescue you. Learn, then, how how much a pure faith and a sincere supplication may prevail with God. For on account of our sins we are scourged every day. However, if we have turned to the good Lord with all our heart, he immediately sets in motion the depths of his mercy upon us, and will rescue us from impending dangers. So, brothers, don't get tired of doing good, pursuing humility and willingly rescuing the poor. Believe my insignificance, because, ever since man was cast down into the abyss of this world on account of his transgressions, it is written that God thus does not approve of any of his good deeds so much as almsgiving, unless, however, it is done for worldly glory." Having been instructed with these and other such words, they departed, admiring his humility of spirit, the lowliness of his dress, the eloquence of his speech, and the greatness of his virtue.

10. The Miracle of the Wheat

At a certain time, when a devastating famine had oppressed the same country of Lycia so much, as its inhabitants deserved, that "the sickly crop denied any sustenance",²² the provincial peasants informed the often-mentioned servant of God - who often took risks, especially on behalf of the needy - that ships laden with grain had arrived in the harbour of the port of Andriake.²³ On going swiftly to the place, Nicholas began to say to the sailors, "I have come to ask if you would be willing to bestow a small amount of help out of a portion of this wheat, looking out for this people, who are wasting away, oppressed by the prolonged famine." Thus said the saint; and to the saint they spoke as follows, "We do not dare to obey your orders, Father, because, having been requisitioned for public service, we made our way to Alexandria, and from there we bring this grain, to be measured out by the hands of the officials, for the stipends of the Augustales²⁴." To whom the saint said, "Hear me, and supply me with at least one hundred measures²⁵ from each ship, so that the people here are not thinned out any more; and in virtue of my Lord, whom I serve, I promise, assure, and guarantee that you will have no shortfall at the royal tax officer." Finally, convinced by the intervention of the bishop, they counted out one hundred measures from each ship, and immediately a fair wind arose and they embarked on the ships, and left the port, and, with the winds blowing, by a flying passage they arrived at the city of Byzantium.

But when they had measured out to the emperor's officials the same quantity which they had taken on at Alexandria, so great a stupor came over them all that, in amazement, they explained to the same officials in an orderly way all the things that had happened. They, impressed by this account, glorified God, the author of all things, with uninterrupted praise for both.

Then the man of the Lord, having obtained the wheat, took pains to divide it up by design, as he knew that each man required. To wonders more wonders succeed. For, by the great generosity of Almighty God, this very little amount which the saint distributed, was increased, so that, not only in the same year, but also almost to the end of a second year, it was sufficient for the sustenance of each individual. Indeed many, in trusting hope, did not hesitate after this to sow, and the awaited harvest was not at all frustrated by empty ears of corn, but it fed them completely with abundant produce. Moreover let this not seem incredible to anyone, because that promise is from the Saviour, who says, "If you have faith like a mustard seed, you shall say to the mountain, 'Move yourself', and it will be moved."²⁶ And this, "He who believes in me will also do the works that I do, and will do greater than these".²⁷ Indeed Nicholas truly believed in the one with whose help he succeeded in performing such and so great a miracle.

11. St Nicholas and the Devil

Out of the many idolatrous cults to which the aforesaid country had formerly been dedicated, it strived to exhibit the greatest devotion of its madness to a statue of the most abominable Diana, to such a degree that, even up to the time of the servant of God, most of the peasants devoted themselves to this detestable religion. But the man of God persecuted this sacrilegious superstition with such commitment that, supported by divine assistance, he expelled entirely the worship of the perverted goddess from those lands.

Truly, who is more malicious than the devil? Who in the world is more crafty? Then, when he saw that he was deprived of so great an ornament of his dignity, he burned with a venomous flame, and blazed out in a great rage against Nicholas, and, turning over new schemes with a fresh heart, he approached some men, steeped - indeed lost - in every crime, and he ordered them to manufacture the oil which is called "mediacon"²⁸ with all speed. The worthy listeners immediately were obedient to the words of their dear master and as soon as possible they made up a mixture of the unnatural liquid.

Once this had been prepared, the demon, never slow to do harm, transformed himself into the likeness of a religious woman, and thus disguised, he took himself into the midst of the sea to some sailors, whose devotion was taking them to the servant of God. And in order to use a boat belonging to others, he said to them, "Ah, I see that you are going to the house of Nicolas. I too would like to come with you now, because I have made a vow to receive the blessing of such a great father. But since I cannot, I ask you, if it is no trouble, to carry this oil of my insignificance to the church of Myra, and, in remembrance of me, in short to anoint the walls of the building with it." Then they, unaware of the deception and of the art of falsification, accepted the oil on the ship, and willingly carried it with them. Then the shapeless thing quickly faded away from the galley like a faint shadow. But the pious Lord, despiser of the hateful, did not long permit those hastening in good faith to his servant to bring the gift of a false image, nor to continue deluded by deceptive words.

For unexpectedly they saw a small fishing-boat, filled with distinguished men, among whom they saw a man very similar to Saint Nicholas, who spoke to them with polite questions: "Ho!" said he, "What did that woman say to you? Or what did she give you?" And they told everything in an orderly way: "Look", they said - and they showed him the oil - "what she begged us to bring to the holy church." He replied, "Do you want to know more clearly who that woman was? For this is unchaste Diana, and, so that you may prove for certain that I am telling the truth, cast this vessel of accursed oil into those waves." In front of everyone, without delay, they carried out the orders immediately. But at the instant when that oil touched the sea waters, incredibly, a fire was ignited at that spot and was seen to burn over a great expanse of sea, against the nature of the element. Then, while the sailors were looking at this astonishing thing, and, with a fixed gaze, stood perplexed at so great a prodigy, the two ships became separated by a great distance, so they could not even ask who it was through whom they discovered the unsuccessful ambush of a crafty enemy. Even so, while hurrying - as they had vowed - to St. Nicholas, they related to those they met with a loud voice what had happened to them. Then, coming to the servant of God, they said, "Truly you are the one who, on the open sea, showed us a frightening prodigy. Truly you are the true servant of God, through whose merits we have been rescued from the deadly snares of the devil." Saying such things, they related all the details of the business in an orderly way. On hearing this, the man of the Lord, as usual, burst out into praise of the most merciful Father, and then he admonished them to live justly and piously, and to entrust themselves entirely to the protection of the eternal guardian, who does not allow anyone to be tempted beyond that which he can bear.²⁹ And so, better informed with such teachings, and rejoicing in the desired blessing, the servant of Jesus Christ sent those men joyfully back to their homes.

12. Stratilates: The Three Generals

12.1 Three Generals Sent to Phrygia Arrive in Andriake³⁰

Subsequently in parts of Phrygia a certain nation named the Taifals³¹ , by the machinations of seditious men, revolted against the rule of Constantine Caesar, and the same Augustus immediately summoned for consultation and addressed the three commanders of the army, (those whom the Dolopians³² call the "Stratilates") namely Nepotianus, Ursus and Harpilio, and he ordered them, when a naval force had been prepared, to set out and subdue the rebels. Therefore, having equipped their soldiers, and filled with military ambition, they left Constantinople, and began to sail on the calm sea.

After they had made a very slow crossing of the sea, and had sailed the sea of the aforementioned country of Lycia, a sudden storm arose, and they were in danger of a tempest. And during this, unable either to struggle against it, or to press on successfully, they changed course in the increasing winds, and finally were blown towards the shores of the port of Andriake. There, having dropped anchors as usual, the ships were repaired, and so, having reached the desired seashore, at length some of the young men began to walk around here and there. But some of them, going for the sake of commerce as far as the market-place which is called "Placomata", did not refrain from committing robbery, as is the custom of that sort of men. A crowd of the inhabitants, quickly noticing this, all rushed to stop them. While they were clashing repeatedly, or like contrary winds in a great whirlwind, the sudden uproar was like a trumpet-blast to the city of Patara. As a result it came about that the whole city gathered together to suppress the violence of such a great disorder. The man of the Lord, dismayed at this commotion, went out, and, shrewdly repressing the indignation of the furious citizens, hastened to the aforesaid port, which was three miles away from the city itself, and, having found those commanders there, after the duty of salutation, he offered kisses, and then he enquired, saying, "Who are you? Where from? Do you bring here peace or war?" And they said, "Holy Father, we come in peace, and a storm has brought us to your shores. For our journey is to Phrygia. In fact some rebels have risen up, whose disobedience we have been directed by the imperial power to subdue. Therefore we ask that you accompany us with your prayers, so that we can do this fittingly." Then the bishop addressed them briskly, and urged them, as they went together towards the walls of the city, not to disdain to make use of his blessing. Immediately the generals, admiring the great influence of the servant of God, at once forbade all their people to roar like barbarians, or, behaving further in an undisciplined manner, to presume to do violence to anyone at all.

12.2 The Release of the Three Innocents

Having thus calmed things down, behold, it was reported by some saying, "O holy lord, if your paternity had been present in the city, the unjust executions of three soldiers would never be happening. In fact even the citizens have all greatly regretted your absence, because the consul, completely blinded by a large bribe, has agreed to their execution." Having heard these words, the man of the Lord, kindled with the fire of piety, asked the aforementioned generals to hasten with him with rapid steps. Without delay they entered the city, and coming to the place which was named after the lion, St. Nicholas asked those whom he found there whether those who had received the capital sentence were still alive. Answering they said to him, "Hurry, venerable Father, hurry, because they are alive and detained in the square of Dioscorus."

Immediately hurrying to the church of the martyrs Crescentius and Dioscorus, for whom the square itself was named, and not finding them, he made enquiry where they were. He was told, "They are just now going out of that gate of the city." While he was going there, he heard that they had been transported to Birra, where condemned men were killed. Having heard this, Christ's huntsman³³ , although wearied from such a journey, went, and ran, and coming all the way in haste to the place, he found that they were waiting on bended knee, with face covered by a veil, and the sword of the executioner already hovering over the outstretched neck.

Here, here you can experience that true saying, "the righteous are bold as a lion."³⁴ For undeterred by either worldly power, or the edge of the sword, he boldly threw himself fully onto the lictor, and, hurling the sword far away from his hand, he did not move away until he could bring them back with him, released from their chains, repeating, "Myself, I say, myself I am ready to give to death instead of those who have been condemned but are innocent." But out of the executioners no one dared even to murmur against him, knowing that he was of great merit and of great courage and very strong in Christ.

Accompanied therefore by the applause of the people, who, while expecting his arrival, had obstructed the executioners, he approached the praetorium of the consul. The doors of this having been unbarred by force rather than voluntarily - for they were closed -, the arrival of the bishop was announced to Eustachius the consul by the chamberlains. Immediately the impatient governor ran to meet him and gave him greeting. But, because it was written, "but power, when it is tried, reproves the unwise,"³⁵ spurning him, the saint said, "Enemy of God, law-breaker, whose mouth has imbibed the blood of the innocent as more sweet than honey, with what temerity did you presume to look upon our face, aware of so much guilt? Most bloodthirsty man, why did you not listen to the dominical precept, which every day proclaims, 'Do not condemn the innocent and the just'?"³⁶ To which in a few words the lord returned answer thus: "Why do you receive me like this, O servant of God? Why rage uselessly against me? Look again, because Eudoxius and Simonides, the notables of this city, are more to be blamed for this than me. For in fact it is they who are violently stirred up to shed the blood of these men." To which the bishop rejoined, "Neither Simonides nor Eudoxius lured you to consent to commit such a crime, but greed for gold and silver. Believe my insignificance, that your 'arrangement', whatever it is, by which means you manage, or rather plunder this country, will be whispered in the ears of the most pious Augustus, so that he may award a well-deserved recompense for your deeds." Recalling these and other things, he persisted and humiliated the governor. Eventually, intervening in the end, the aforesaid generals begged him very much that, putting to sleep his anger, he would grant pardon to the consul, who was violently suffused with red in the face. The man of the Lord graciously accepted their request, and humbly tried to appease before everyone the governor Eustachius, whom he had humiliated before everyone.

Then the generals, after a banquet had been celebrated, received the blessing of the pontiff and joyfully returned to their companions and the fleet. Then, as soon as the first promise of safety had returned to the sea, they undertook the journey they had begun, and, carried along by following winds, they soon arrived in Phrygia. Then, after they had removed the fomenters of the rebellion and skillfully brought them back under the laws of the empire, they returned to the city of Constantinople. Not only did the people come to congratulate them, but many nobles. Even the emperor, rejoicing because his enemies had been subdued without bloodshed, received them triumphantly in his palace.

13. Stratilates: The Three Generals Further

13.1 The Generals are thrown into Prison

But that ancient enemy of human salvation, looking at these things with discontented eyes, was quiet for a long time; for so long indeed that he changed himself into every shape, until he could stir up some of the envious who were jealous of their³⁷ rank, by the goad of bitterness, to plot against them, either their disgrace or death. Need I say more? Some deceitful men approached a certain prefect named Ablavius, what the Greeks call an eparch, and accused them³⁸ of many things. Above all they tried to show that they were conspirators against the Augustus, adding that their talk was subtle and their humility feigned, and therefore their very real enmity would not be noticed,³⁹ because only when they found the right opportunity would they appear otherwise. But when they saw that they could not achieve anything by empty words, they began to influence the mind of the man with large bribes, and to equip him for the destruction of the innocents. Truly, "To what do you not drive the minds of mortals, O accursed lust for gold?"⁴⁰ At once the eparch, corrupted by an enormous quantity of yellow metal, went to the Augustus and began to speak like this: "Most excellent lord, under whose government the whole world rests in peace! Behold, the envy of the devil, from whom every nursery of iniquity arises, has stirred up internal enemies against us. For in fact those generals whom a while ago your Sublimity sent to Phrygia, are plotting treason against my lord. In fact they are holding frequent meetings and promising their confederates that they will be enriched with wealth, and will be promoted to high offices. This I know for certain and so I have come before your presence to relate it, so that I do not incur divine judgment and imperial wrath. For indeed not only those who do wrong are guilty, but also those who consent to their actions; especially when I learned these things for sure from their associates. Wherefore may wisdom divinely bestowed provide you in advance what needs to be done."

So the Augustus believed in his deceptions, namely those of his prefect, and in anger he ordered that they were arrested on the spot, and thrown back in prison. But after they had been transferred to the custody of the prison officials, it came about - not, as I suppose, without the divine will - that the emperor, preoccupied with the highest affairs of state, postponed sentence upon them. But since a blinded soul, once soaked with poisons, grows bright again only with difficulty and through penance, the aforementioned slanderers presented themselves after a few days had passed, and bearing the promised gifts to the aforesaid prefect, said, "By what agreement have you given life to our enemies, and, having been arrested, not executed them immediately? Or did you hope that you would be able to put an end to the rebellion, if you just ordered them to be confined in prison? For behold, the prisoners, with the support of their associates, are trying to escape and fulfil the planned wickedness. So it is necessary for you to work hard, so that they cannot do such a thing, which we do not want; otherwise we shall regret that we watched out for your peace, and you will perish very quickly." The prefect, therefore, moved more by the blood-stained bribe than by the power of words, once again poured this venom into Caesar's ears: "Lord Augustus, those criminals whom your mercy permits to live, are not ceasing to plan evil designs with their conspirators. For surely, without any doubt, you know that they have conspirators on the outside who are manfully trying to help them, so that, on escaping unexpectedly, they may rush upon our lord to kill him." Immediately the Augustus, as if he had learned for certain of his own death, was so angry that without even waiting for an investigation, he commanded them to be killed.

Having received this order, the greedy prefect with great joy sent an order to the warden of the prison to keep them segregated and watch them very carefully, so that on the following night they might be put to death secretly. Then the warden, a man of good compassion and rightly called Hilarianus, rushed down to the prison, and with a heavy heart uttered these words, "I wish I had never known you, my lords! Alas! Today we are being separated from each other!" And overflowing with tears he said, "Shall I speak or be silent? But still I must speak to you. You should know that the sentence has been issued by the Augustus, that tonight, without delay, you are being put to death. So arrange your affairs now, so that later on, having been brought to your last moment, you do not leave the same settled more by your death than by your will.⁴¹

13.2 The Generals Call Upon St. Nicholas

Having heard this, immediately an icy shiver ran through their inmost bones, and moaning, with disheveled hair, they tore their clothes and with such a loud howling they cried out, "Alas, why is there this great fury? Why such great severity that we are to die like common footpads, who are not even considered worthy of questioning? That harshness is monstrous, and unheard of anywhere." But when they had been complaining thus for a long time, and a lot, Nepotianus, one of them, remembered how St. Nicholas had been the wonderful deliverer of the three soldiers. Sighing again and again, at last he uttered this prayer: "O God, exalted king, come quickly to the aid of the wretched, come quickly to the aid of the perishing, and graciously hear my most humble prayer, not for our merits, but for the merits of your servant Nicholas, so that, just as we saw those three rescued from death by his request, so may we be rescued through his intercession from this sudden sentence. Seeing that, even if he is not present in body, yet we believe that in spirit he has compassion for everyone's needs, on behalf of which he often prays to you. Therefore, O Lord, you who bring forth the purpose of those who fear you, on account of his prayers, deliver us." So Nepotianus prayed, and likewise his companions, and together with one voice they cried out, "O Saint Nicholas, help us. Servant of God, though absent, intercede for us, so that, delivered from immediate slaughter, we faithful will deserve to see your face, and to kiss your most holy feet."

O the merciful goodness of the creator, O the immense kindness of the saviour, which is so much to be magnified with praise; how greatly is He⁴² responsive to all those simply seeking Him. Who ever sought him with a pure heart and did not find him? Who asked him for mercy and did not receive it? For he promised this himself, saying, "Whatever you ask the Father in my name, it will be done for you."⁴³ Indeed these three in the midst of their difficulties wondrously experienced the promise of this truth. Indeed the man of God was still alive in this present life, and so the good Lord deigned to listen to the prayers of the aforesaid supplicants as if St. Nicholas, as intercessor, were with him in the kingdom above. But whose are these gifts but yours, O Christ, your rewards? Entirely yours, O Lord, who are accustomed to glorify those who are glorifying you, not only before your father in heaven, but also on earth before men.

13.3 St. Nicholas Appears in a Dream to the Emperor and the Prefect

On the following night, therefore, on which those generals were to be executed, when the emperor and the eparch gave themselves to sleep they had very similar dreams, which, therefore we shall relate in detail, so that we may most clearly understand that the Almighty gives warning to the transgressors of justice, not only directly, but also through visions. Nor does he do this in vain, but since he rejoices more over one sinner than over ninety-nine righteous, it shows that he prefers the repentance of all. Now the visions were of this kind. For in the stormy night, when the Augustus had given himself up to sleep, there appeared a likeness of St. Nicholas, saying: "O Constantine, why did you unjustly have those generals arrested? Why did you sentence them to death without a trial? Get up quickly, and order them to be released as soon as possible. But if perhaps, in spite of me, you want to do something else, I pray to the Heavenly King that He avenge your contempt of me, harden your heart, and permit a war to break out and, after you have been killed there, your body will be food for beasts and birds." The Augustus said to him, "Who are you, and by whose authority do you act, that, entering my palace at this hour, you dare to speak in such a way?" And he, "I am Nicholas, a sinner, bishop of the metropolis of Myra." Saying these things, he went away. And he terrified the eparch thus: "O Ablavius, crazy in mind and lost to feeling, what necessity lay upon you to become a persistent accuser of the innocent? Go quickly, and have them immediately brought out of prison. But otherwise, I will arrange, through the majesty of the Eternal Emperor,⁴⁴ that your whole body overflow with worms, and that, as soon as possible, your house is plundered." To whom the prefect thus in agitated words opened his mouth: "But who are you, who threaten us so much?" He replied, "Know that I am Nicholas, Bishop of Myra." He spoke, and vanished away from sight into thin air.

Terrified by such visions, Caesar and the eparch were shaken awake from their sleep, and, hastening to do their duty, they quickly related to each other what each had seen that needed to be told.

13.4 Before Constantine: Interrogation and Release

Then, when the first light of dawn chased away the stars, instantly the emperor sent for his great men, and the same eparch, and caused the generals to be brought before him. Once they were standing there, with a fierce look, he began to speak to them: "What magical arts have you learned, to mock us with such great phantasms and disturb us with such great dreams?"

They were astonished at such a beginning of the interrogation, and gave no answer. And the Augustus again, "Reveal your sorceries to us!" To which Nepotianus, one for all, answered in a fearful voice: "Most excellent emperor, to whom God has entrusted the reins of the kingdom, God forbid that we are learned in the lessons of the evil art. For we have never, lord, had opportunity for such instruction. Obviously we also declare firmly that we are not guilty of a crime of that sort, deserving a capital sentence." Then the Augustus said, "Do you know any man whose name is Nicolaus?"

Immediately they, hearing such a great name, raising the palms of both hands to the stars, began to say in a loud voice, "Blessed are you, O Lord God of Saint Nicholas, who does not abandon those who trust in you and rely upon your mercy. Blessed are you, and praiseworthy forever and ever, who mercifully have deigned to look upon the sufferings of your unfortunate servants. And now, O Lord, Lord, on account of your servant Nicholas, deliver us from this false accusation of treason, just as those three men were rescued from a deadly execution."

Then the Augustus, understanding, and anxious to question them and find out the reasons, silenced them. And only then he said, "Come now, hasten and explain openly from which family he is descended, who or how important is he, or if these things are true which you so speak of." Immediately Nepotianus, reassured by these words, said, "He is truly in all things a holy man, by whose merits we believe that we have been rescued from the threat of death. He is the one whom we called upon in our distress, and behold, as we see, we have found him a swift helper. In fact we truly believe that he is a worthy servant of God, through whom, although separated by such great earthly distances, in one moment of the night Christ deigned to hear us." These things he said, and immediately continuing, he spoke of what sort of man he was, and how great his humility and goodness were. In fact he also explained in an orderly way about the rescue of the young men⁴⁵, so often mentioned, just as has been written.

13.5 The Emperor praises St Nicholas

Caesar, on hearing these things, was greatly astonished, and, honouring God for the goodness of so great a man, said, "Go, and give thanks to God's servant, indeed to God, who through him has delivered you. However take with you, as presents from Constantine, modest gifts as well as our letters as presents; namely this small book of the gospel, decorated marvellously with gold, and these liturgical basins also, and two candlesticks of gold, and another gold vessel adorned with most precious gems; and tell him to accept this graciously, and to strive, not to threaten me, most willingly obedient to his precepts, but to pray for me, and to ask the Lord not only for the peace of our kingdom, but of the whole world."

13.6 The Generals Visit St. Nicholas

A few days later, therefore, the aforesaid generals, having received the imperial letters and gifts, set out to go, as they had vowed, to the servant of God. On arrival and seeing Nicholas, they were immediately overcome, and kissed his feet, and out of the greatness of their joy, they repeated with loud voices: "Truly you are the most beloved servant of God! Truly a worshipper and lover of Christ! Truly you are worthy of being praised by the mouth of all, through whom we have been miraculously delivered from death." Proclaiming these and other things for a very long time, at length they related all the events of their arrest, and offering the presents, as well as the imperial letters, they displayed proof of their release. Immediately the excellent teacher raised his arms to heaven and praised the Lord Saviour, saying, "Great are you, O Lord our God, great and wonderful, of whose greatness there is no end. Indeed you are the Lord, rich in all things, who alone does great wonders."

Having said this, turning to them, he watered them with such a stream of the scriptures, that they distributed most of their possessions to the poor. Then, as is the custom of laymen, they exulted with so much joy that they cut off the hair that they had let grow in prison. And so, having been with the man of God for some time with great joy, having been instructed by his teaching, and enriched by his blessing, they returned to their own places, magnifying our Lord Jesus Christ, who reigns with the Father and with the Holy Spirit, one God, equal in majesty, equal in power, forever and ever, Amen.

(The following two chapters are found in some editions, and some manuscripts, with a random selection of miracle stories between them, but they are not authentic.)

14. Prologue to the Miracle Stories

Having up to this point drawn from the edition of the Argolian Fathers, we have translated this blessing into Latin, because, just as the most blessed confessor is celebrated and worshipped by them in the observance of the annual solemnity with the desire of pious devotion, so he is worthy to be celebrated by this publication by our little selves, indeed by the whole world, he is worthy to be exalted, magnified and praised by its use. And justly indeed, because although very few of those things which the most holy accomplished in his life were written down, yet since he went to Christ, he exhibits so many miracles every day that no tongue of the flesh is sufficient to express them. For who can worthily explain how by his merits sight is swiftly and fully restored to the deserving blind, hearing to the deaf, and, to speak briefly, health to all the disabled? Who, I say, is so eloquent that he can very easily express how, from the marble of his tomb, sacred oil exudes, which is collected by the watchful ministers with a sponge, and most carefully stored away, for the public anointing of various illnesses? I therefore report to your charity what I have learned from a truthful report. But they professed that they had learned this very thing from the report of the inhabitants of Myra. However whether the truth is otherwise or not must be left to the judgment of those speaking. Indeed, at a certain time, when some of the magnates of the aforesaid city, from an invidious faction, were not ashamed to drive out the pontiff of that see, the oil of such blessing immediately ceased to flow. But when the same bishop recovered his throne, immediately the saving liquid began to drip as before. For God is wonderful, wonderful - as the prophet sings - in his saints⁴⁶ : because he is accustomed to glorify his servants in such a way that the sound of them goes out into all the earth. What kind of sound? Of victory, of course, of triumph. Because while they do not refuse the protection conferred by heaven on their suppliants, they show themselves, the diademed prince of this world having been defeated, redeemed for eternity.

15. Epilogue⁴⁷

Let us, then, rejoice in the Lord, dearest friends, let us rejoice, and celebrate wholesomely the feast-day of Saint Nicholas, for, whether he examines our festive selves amicably, he favours, believe me, he favours our devotion. In fact, and in accordance with the etymology of the name, for "Nicholas" in Greek sounds like "Victory of the People"⁴⁸ , his attack destroys the fiercest opponents, and assists us to overcome the enemy stronghold. Let all sexes, therefore, and all ranks, look for the safety of his protection, let him beg for help, let him ask for help. For he knows that in the past, having won the heavenly palm, he mercifully helped the afflicted, freed the oppressed and plague-ridden, and redeemed those in bondage.⁴⁹ So having said these things, let us pour out a little prayer before him - at the bottom of this page - that we may ever enjoy his patronage. We ask, therefore, most holy father⁵⁰ , that you may attend to the very humble words of our petition, and see our devotion, and, having considered the illusion of our condition, you may suppress the enemy, drive out tyranny, pacify those who quarrel, take care of the bishops, govern the clergy, guide the abbots, protect the monks, and give heavenly solace to all who practice your solemnities devoutly. We also, at the same time, have devoted our attention to the poor and helpless, and we have offered our scant praise of your glory, deliver us from every disturbance of those who seek to entrap us, and guard us from the whisperings of foul spirits, so that faithfully we may deserve to serve our Lord Jesus Christ. Who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

FOOTNOTES

I.e. in Greek. back
A high-ranking Byzantine imperial or church official. back
John the Baptist was the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth. back
Matthew11:11; Lk.7:28. back
John 5:17. back
Luke 14:33. back
Beginning of chapter 5 in the Falconius edition. back
Summarising here Genesis 30:37-39 back
Jacob. back
I.e. Jesus. back
Cf. Mt.6:3. back
I.e. St. Paul. back
Cf. 1 Cor. 6:19 back
Cf. Ephesians 4:28. back
1 Cor. 3:17. back
Cf. Mt. 5:15, Mk.4:21; Lk.11:33. back
I.e. both the Old Testament and the New Testament. back
I.e. Virgil. back
Cf. Mark 1:34. back
Cf. Mt.11:30. back
Cf. Virgil, Aeneid, 3:142. back
Or Andriaca. The port of Myra, at the mouth of the Andriacus river. Cf. Pliny the Elder, HN v, 27 back
"Andriaca civitas". back
The priests of the imperial cult. back
A measure here is a modius. back
Mt. 17:19. back
Jn. 14:12. back
This is a transliterated word from Greek, meaning "Median (fire)", referring to the Medes and Persians. Median fire is one of the terms used by Byzantine writers for what we know as Greek fire. back
1 Cor. 10:13. back
I have divided chapters 12 and 13 into numbered sections for convenience. back
The Taifals were a sub-tribe of the Goths, defeated by Constantine and settled in Phyrgia. back
A warlike tribe of Thessaly mentioned in the Iliad. Probably the Greeks are meant. back
The idea is similar to that in the "Hound of Heaven" by Francis Thompson. back
Prov. 28:1. back
Wisdom 1:3. back
Dan. 13:53 (=Susanna 53): "The innocent and the just thou shalt not kill." (Douai) back
The three generals. back
The generals. back
I.e., would not attract official attention. back
Virgil, Aeneid III, 56-7. back
"testamentum", i.e. legal last will and testament. back
Either "it" - the kindness of God - or "He", i.e. God, the subject of the next sentence. back
John 15:16. back
I.e. God. back
I.e. the soldiers. back
Ps. 67:36 (= 68:35 in English), as paraphrased in an antiphon: "God is wonderful in his saints: the God of Israel is he who will give power and strength to his people. Blessed be God." The phrase is first used in Celestine III's canonisation bull (1191) for Peter of Tarantaise, and appears frequently in subsequent bulls of canonisation. back
This cannot be the original epilogue. Among other things, it is not addressed to Athanasius, but to "dearest friends", a group of people, on the feast of St Nicholas. back
v I.e. in Latin. back
Those in debt. back
I.e. St Nicholas. back

Translated from the Latin, written around AD 880 AD, by Roger Pearse, Thoughts on Antiquity, Patristics, Information Access, and More, St. Nicholas of Myra — Translations. The translation is made from a compilation of early texts, as there isn't a single critical edition of the Latin text. Public domain