The Translation of the Blessed Nicholas, Confessor and Bishop
by John of Bari, Archdeacon1, translated by Nicky Bangs
Preface
We publish in this text things that should be known by all churches of Christ, which should be marveled at, praised and venerated in our time. For the omnipotent Lord has deemed it worthy to make known to all mortals concerning the sacred merits of his servant Saint Nicholas: namely how the limbs of that sacred man were brought over from the city of Myra by people from Bari, who brought them across the sea, where even now innumerable virtues are observed, and awe-inspiring miracles, which we not only take care to make known to the current generation, either by voice or by script, but also labor diligently to leave behind the memory of these deeds which are worthy of recounting to the generations which are to come after our own time.
For we know certainly, and every faithful church around the world has also experienced it with frequent evidence, that although the omnipotent majesty deigns to grant to the worshippers of Christ desired and gracious favors on behalf of other saints, nevertheless he does not disregard bestowing the greatest amount on behalf of this saint, whatever favors are sought in his name. For this reason more basilicas throughout all nations and provinces where Lord Christ is worshiped are found to be consecrated under this same name than any other saint, and there are more mortals who celebrate the rituals of this saint than of any other. For whose divine help does anyone placed in any danger feel so quickly?
We do not praise his virtues in order to diminish those of other saints, or with a mind to minimize the merits of others. Nonetheless we praise his virtues, and we marvel at the temperance of his life and his boldness, and thus marveling we praise him, who on account of this temperance and boldness obtained, and continues to obtain, so much grace from God.
Therefore the festival which is celebrated in honor of his translation should be honored by the faithful with no less happiness and with the same celebration as that which is celebrated in honor of his dormition. For the signs of his virtues both then and now shine clearly in equal and innumerable quantities. Perhaps not all churches will celebrate this festival equally, however Bari along with all of Apulia will celebrate it with the most worthy praise, and will not neglect to praise it every year with humble prayers.
For this land seems enriched by so great a treasure and made bright by so much dignity. Moreover we doubt in no way that which we have heard from other faithful people, nonetheless we wish to demonstrate that which we know with a certainty, since it is considered marvelous and venerable, and will be considered so by all, namely that which was pleasing to the maker of all things to display to mortals at this time.
Therefore I, John, the archdeacon of the church of Bari, by the order of my lord and father Urso, the archbishop of the Church of Bari and Canusina, will delay no longer to explain how it was done, briefly and clearly, and in the order of events.
The account of the Translation Begins, which is celebrated on May 9th
1. As soon as the incorporeal and invisible substance of Saint Nicholas was separated from the corporeal and visible, and had been laid to rest having been prepared by heavenly spirits, many emperors and many powerful mortals attempted with great effort to snatch away the sacred remains of that holy man from the vessel2 in which they had been enclosed. Indeed a royal delegate had gone to the church where the sacred body was lying, having been dispatched by the emperor who ruled over Myra in order to take it away and bring him this treasure. But when he realized that he would not be able to accomplish the task he had arrived for, he began to humbly entreat Saint Nicholas, saying that since he was not allowed to take his body with him from that church, perhaps he would deem it worthy to grant some small part of him for the delegate to behold, and which he might be able to kiss. Saint Nicholas did not deny his petition, but that which he sought, was fulfilled. For when the attendant of the church drew out the liquid from the burial vessel with his implement,3 as he was accustomed to do, a single tooth, extracted along with the liquid, appeared. Seizing the tooth with the utmost happiness, the royal magnate began to thank god and his servant Nicholas, and kissed the tooth repeatedly. He then placed the tooth in a golden box which in turn he placed upon a nearby altar.
And when he looked again shortly after, he saw much oil flowing from that box. He therefore wrapped it in cloth, thinking that in this way he could keep the liquid within, lest more flow out. But in vain! For the more he bound the cloth around it, the more the liquid itself was flowing out, soaking the cloth. Therefore he began to despair since he could not keep it hidden as he had hoped, since the Lord was making it be revealed.
Blessed Nicholas is also said to have appeared as a vision in this delegate’s dream, and holding the aforementioned tooth in his hands showing it to him, said: "Here I have satisfied your request, however you can not take it with you, as you desired, since I do not permit that even the smallest part be separated from my body." The delegate though, waking up, considered it only to be a dream; the tooth, however, was no longer where he had placed it.
We find this account written down in the volumes of the Greeks, which therefore we prepend to our account, since the omnipotent Lord has not allowed that the body of his servant be removed from its place in all the cycles of time from that point up until now.
2. As it is found in the history of the Greeks, that most blessed bishop is said to have already been old at the first council of Nicaea, convened while blessed Sylvester was presiding as pope and Constantine the great as Princeps, in which Arius was condemned along with his followers for heresy. After which evidently Saint Nicholas only survived a few days, giving his spirit to the heavens and his body to the earth.
From that time all the way to the translation of that same sacred body, according to the accounting of the Greeks, almost two hundred Olympiads have passed. According to our own reckoning, in the one thousand and eighty seventh year from the time when the word of god was made dear and resided in us, in the tenth indiction, certain people from Bari had arranged to travel by three ships to Antioch for the sake of business. With sails unfurled, flying over Neptune’s dominion, the sailors, as if spurred on by divine inspiration, began to engage in discussion amongst themselves concerning the seizure of such a great treasure. Some of whom were urging to attempt it, and were claiming resolutely, as if they knew with a certainty, that this could be carried out with divine assistance.
For they were saying, "We shall find the church alone, devoid of clergy and of the people, and in fact there will be no one standing in our way." Others however were urging against the attempted seizure, and had no hope that such a visible and difficult deed could be accomplished.
3. When they reached Myra, rejoicing, they cast their anchors from the prows and the ships stood along the shore. Indeed taking counsel among themselves at once, they sent out a certain pilgrim, whom they had taken on board with them as a private citizen, to explore.
Upon return, the pilgrim announced that many Turks were present in the fortress, in which the sacred body's basilica was located. For the man who had presided over that fortress was lying dead in that very place and presently they had convened for a funeral.
Immediately upon hearing this, with sails stretched wide they directed the prows of their ships towards Antioch, and in a few days they reached the city thanks to a favorable journey. Here they discovered a Venetian ship, and began to ask them about one thing and another, as is customary. For some of our men were known by and friendly to some of the Venetians, and they began to discuss among themselves about the body of Saint Nicholas. Indeed the Venetians did not hesitate to express what they had been planning for some time.
For they declared that they were prepared with both iron stakes and mallets, and they did not hesitate to tell them what they planned to attempt. When our men from Bari heard this, they were inflamed with a greater desire for the undertaking and accomplishment of this task. And not so much on behalf of their own glory and honor, and for the greatness of our whole fatherland, did they begin to be more bold and more ardent, so much as for shame and reproach, fearing that the Venetians themselves might accomplish this, and they were hoping to keep themselves from this shame. For which reason they hastened their business, fulfilled the objective for which they had come, and from there as quickly as possible they set out to return.
4. With their business having been completed, they began their return voyage. And with sails swollen by a favorable south wind, the keels plowed the calm waves and they approached the shores of Myra. But they were desiring to hold fast and continue on, since now their fervor had subsided, and their previous ardor had become tepid.
For they began to have doubts, since they knew that which they had proposed to undertake was most difficult, also they were seeming to have a very fast return trip. Therefore they themselves forsook that which they had previously considered. But the divine inspiration, which had placed in them the initial desire, did not forsake it.
For with the power of the creator directing them, the violent south wind presently grew quiet, returning to its own lands, and an excessive north wind was sent out from its icy caves. Therefore they stayed there unwillingly and not of their own volition. They then sent out some explorers, who announced upon their return that the church was alone, void of both clergy and the people, save three monks watching over it, and no impediment nor resistance would be found there. For in accordance with what the deeds of the locals demanded, by the just judgment of God, desolation and devastation followed upon that region, which an infidel race invaded and placed under its own dominion, and therefore it remained deserted.
With this having been heard they immediately took up arms, leaving a few behind to guard the ships. Fortified in a battle line and provisioned as if they might meet enemies, they set out. Indeed they were afraid since that land had been overcome by an infidel race, and the length from the shore to the place they were going seemed to be almost three miles.
5. However, upon arrival, after entering into the enclosure of the church, they placed down their arms and entered the sacred church humbly and as supplicants and they began to ask after the saint. Indeed after each of them completed their own prayers in turn, they did not delay in asking the aforementioned guardians about the sacred body and where it was lying.
These custodians replied: "Behold the place, as it has been passed down by our predecessors, where we believe without doubt he lies." And after saying this they showed them the location. After this, drawing out the sacred liquid according to custom, they gave it to them. While certain of them were taking vials of the oil, one member of their group, a priest of Bari named Lupus, similarly filled his own small glass flask with the liquid.
This vessel, having been placed in a high spot while they were talking in order that it be kept safe, all of a sudden fell onto the marble floor, and was lifted up from the floor with its integrity in no way diminished, but rather it was just as intact as before, to the admiration of all present.
After this, they began to speak with the monks, as if testing them, saying: "We wish to remove this sacred body, and take it back to our homeland. Indeed for this reason we have come, carried by three ships, having been sent by the Roman Pope. If you are willing to agree to this, we will give you one hundred gold coins from each ship."
When the monks heard this, they were shocked and frightened. "And in what way," they said, "do we venture to undertake and accomplish this task, when no mortal as of yet has been able to attempt this with impunity? Who will be able to be heedless of such a great trade, either as buyer or seller? Or what is so precious and admirable that it could be compared to such a great treasure? Will gold or silver or precious stones be its equal? If the kings of the earth have never accomplished this task, acting not rashly, but with prayer and as supplicants, in what way will you be able to accomplish it? Therefore abandon further pursuit of so great a sin, which is not pleasing to the divine majesty. However try it, if you wish: here is the location."
This they said, in no way thinking that what they hoped to do could be accomplished. Indeed with so many solar cycles having been accomplished they knew of no mortal up to this time who either secretly stole it or openly seized it with strength or managed to accomplish it with prayers to the lord.
6. After having these conversations and others concerning this deed, one by one they began to build up courage and they decided to be bold and to undertake the task right away. For it was not convenient or fitting for them to delay longer, but rather it was very improper and unsuitable, since with the light of Apollo beginning to set, it was now becoming evening. Furthermore the deed itself, the foreign land, and the return to the ships all prevented them from having any peace of mind or delaying any longer.
Therefore after they were suitably and prudently provisioned, they seized and held the monks. Then they put out guards in all directions in order to keep an eye out, lest some undesired trouble fall upon them unexpectedly.
They were also divided up along the roads, standing here and there with arms in order to catch anyone who might approach by chance, who they would detain and prevent from leaving.
Nor as of yet was there any fear in them, for although the band was not more than forty-four armed men, composed of the boldest young men, nevertheless they could have stood strong against a host four times their number. Nor would they have turned their backs in flight, nor laid down their arms. With these men cautiously and prudently arranged outside, inside, the priest, whom we mentioned before, along with another companion of his named Grimoaldus and a few others, all standing in the church, began prayers which are usually known as Litanies.
But having been seized by a fear of god and a trembling, as if driven mad, with tongues impeded, they were not able to continue speaking clearly the prayer which they had begun. Meanwhile Matthew, one of the sailors, having seized an iron mallet, struck the marble floor and broke it, under which they discovered cement. With the cement having been broken up and cast out, suddenly the back of a burial vessel appeared.
Here therefore they dug more and more with increasing happiness, and they did not delay in breaking the old joints of calcium with a small ax, splitting it up and throwing out the fragments. With these having been cast out, the sarcophagus was uncovered and struck with a hammer by the previously mentioned youth, being broken on one side. Suddenly the sweetest and most fragrant odor was released, which filled all present with marvelous delight at its sweetness.
7. Indeed that same youth extending his hand, at first felt an excessive amount of the liquid, which seemed to fill the vessel, which was not small, up to the middle. Then submerging his right hand, he discovered that precious treasure which was the object of their desire. Discovering it, quickly and without fear he took it out.
For just as he himself recounted to us, inspiring trust with his credible words, he conveyed that he had never before stood so firm and undeterred. Hence who would doubt that in so great a deed, this youth was strengthened against fear by some angelic aid? Yet with the other limbs having been taken out of the sarcophagus in a disorderly and heedless way, the head was still missing.
With the head still not found, they became somewhat saddened. Therefore bending down, not only submerging his hands as before, he began to search below the multitude of liquid. Indeed boldly placing his feet in - for this necessity required - and searching for the sacred head here and there, he found it and came out with his clothes and entire body soaked with the salubrious liquid.
This however was done on the twelfth day before the Kalends of May (April 20). Meanwhile some of the sailors who were standing around, secretly taking some small sacred remains, hid them, but in vain. For we will show in what follows how they confessed and returned them to their rightful place along with the rest of the body.
8. After these things were accomplished, there was no container within which they could rest the sacred gifts of the all-powerful Lord. For this thing had come about unexpectedly and unforeseen, and therefore they brought with them nothing prepared for the receiving and properly storing of the remains.
Nevertheless, they wrapped the remains as best they could in the tunic - which is also known as a paludamentum - of one of the priests whom we mentioned before, Lupus. He steadfastly undertook this most light burden, held down by no earthly weight, with his shoulders made wet by fragrant drops running down upon them. All the men, girded with bright arms, bore the divine spoils which they had seized not from enemies, but from the Lord's treasury, collecting it thanks to a divine bestowal. And carrying the venerable treasure from its most sacred chest, a praiseworthy theft, not, as we judge, without angelic assistance, but with high spirits and praise as lofty as a layperson can manage, they return swiftly to the shore.
Indeed some of them were not neglectful of the pieces from the sacred marble vessel which they had broken, and they brought some pieces back. From these pieces, having been divided into small parts by many priests throughout Italy, many altars and portable altars have been consecrated. A similar thing has been done from the garment which had become wet from the wrapping of the sacred remains. Indeed each has been blessed and for this reason they should be venerated and have been stowed away in hallowed places.
9. However when they reached the coast of the sea and laid down the sacred remains, a dispute arose among them discussing which group's ship would bear that desirable burden, since each group was desiring to carry it in their own ship. For who would not wish to protect such a great guardian, when he himself hopes to be saved, protected and delivered from adversity by that very same protector.
At last, when the dispute which had arisen was resolved, it was decided by all that the ship with the boldest sailor would carry the remains, however only if they first made some oath on this condition: that they would neither do nor determine anything concerning the sacred body without the rest of them. This was thus done as they determined. Therefore, having reached an agreement in this way, they got in their boats, and after wrapping the remains in a new and white cloak, with the prior one having been removed, they placed them in a wooden vessel, in which the sailors were accustomed to use for preserving liquor or wine.
Meanwhile, word of what had been done, flying with nimble wings to the inhabitants of the fortress of Myra, which is located on a small mountain not farther than a mile from the church, struck the ears of the masses. Therefore running quickly from there, very angry and sad, they made for the shore, mourning bitterly the seizure of their shepherd and lord. They pulled ceaselessly at their hair and beards, crying out with mournful voices, as if carrying on a bier the lifeless body of a loved one. They were chanting:
Alas! what has befallen us, poor wretches, at this time.
Why must we behold this shame of our fatherland?
Indeed these gifts of god, preserved for many years,
we have lost suddenly, so easily stolen.
Up to this time the land of Lycia has been enriched
by this heavenly treasure, and greatly honored:
celebrated through all the land with wonderful praise,
and protected by the deeds of the magnanimous father.
Unhappy, Myra, you will remain, stripped of your honor and your gifts,
and you will always be sorrowful.
O father Nicholas, honored throughout all the land,
why do you desert our fatherland - nay, your own fatherland?
Here you were born, raised by saintly parents,
Here a boy, a youth, a man and a pious elder.
Here father and lord, pastor and benign guardian, All this time, both in life and in death, you have been in this land.
Whenever some obstacle oppressed this unhappy land,
it sought your help, cherished father.
You were present in hard times, a lone hope of salvation
offering protection to a suppliant people
whose prayers you, in attendance, venerably favored
and whose vows you received and whose requests you granted.
They would often run from all parts of the earth
to your sacred and health-bringing grave.
Alas! it shall know an emptiness, as soon as the faithful masses
cease all worship and every honor.
Indeed the gifts of god will be missing, and the prime grace
will be remembered in history by word alone.
Shepherd, to whose nourishment do you entrust us, your own sheep?
As soon as you leave, a wolf will be among your flock.
Our virtue, our comfort, our every grace, our solace:
you, our one hope, our salvation, the source of our joy.
woe to us, wretches, we have lost everything:
From here sorrow and perpetual pain will follow.
Alas! to whom was this power granted to accomplish such a sin
and to thus violate such a great place?
Whose rash hand performed this evil?
What impious man carried out this theft?
Lucky you are, who have taken these splendid spoils,
we unfortunate people receive every evil.
10. The mourners cried out these things and others, with sorrow, pain and anger all mixing together, and the saddest of them, soaked by their own tears, began to return home. However as they went they kept turning their heads to the shores and looking at the ships. Indeed both their own and their whole fatherland's glory and joy were being born away in those ships. Now and then, full of longing and as if driven mad, they would stop, and would roar like wild lionesses and tigresses in heat.
With the citizens at last leaving, in their grief they were treading with slow footsteps upon the sand. The sailors in turn swiftly cast off from the shore, filled with happiness and with rising spirits, and sitting on their benches they began to row briskly. I am not able to express in speech or in writing how much happiness there was in them, nor can I comprehend it in my mind without astonishment.
That night the sailors reached the island which is called Cacavum, and after they left this island, exerting themselves in their rowing, they made it to the Magestras islands. Departing from here with excessive fatigue from the rowing, they drove to the land which is called Macri. Indeed for these three nights and two days they faced excessive blowing against them from the north wind of Boreas.
For which reason certain of them, talking amongst themselves with doubtful and troubled spirits, began asking: "Why does the force of this wind oppose us and why wont it settle down? Perhaps we carry with us something other than what we believe? Or if in fact we carry the body of Saint Nicholas, perhaps it is not pleasing to him and for this reason we have fared poorly and are unable to carry it farther than this place?"
11. One of the sailors, named Eustasius, on that same night is said to have seen a vision in his sleep, and he felt that he had undergone the following event: he believed that swallows were biting his tongue, hurting it and making it bleed.
Thus, frightened and stirred by this vision, rising from his slumber, he held back nothing of what he saw from his companions, indeed with the fear not yet receding from his breast, he laid out everything to his fellow sailors. He was no longer in doubt about whether these were in fact the remains of Saint Nicholas, nor about whether what they had done was pleasing to him.
They began to complain more amongst themselves about the hindrance of the previously mentioned wind and to ask why this opposition had befallen them. About which certain of them came forward, as if truth-speaking prophets, saying the following: "We believe that which impedes our journey will not cease its blowing, but will continue until those parts which have been separated are returned to the rest of the body.
For in truth certain among us have secretly taken from the sacred remains, and have hidden them. But if we all desire to return happily to our fatherland, whatever each person has hidden should be given back to the sacred body. Also let each of us make an oath that we hold nothing else hidden, so that any further worry may be driven from us all." With these things having been said and with all favoring the idea, each of them brought forth the parts they had taken away.
One of these, a man named Romualdus, showed two teeth and some small bones that he had hidden. Yet another of them confessed, as he himself reported, to have found a pouch completely wet with the sacred liquid, in which he kept that which he had stolen. At last with the removed parts having been returned to the other body parts, each of them made an oath on the Book of the Gospels, in front of all the others, swearing that they didn't have anything else hidden from the remains of Saint Nicholas and that they didn't know anyone else who had anything.
With these oaths thus having been performed by each, all at once they perceived the adverse blowing of the winds lessening, and they understood clearly the imprudence of their previous actions and that they were wise to fix what they had done.
12. Therefore with a prosperous wind blowing and with their ships cutting through the calm sea, praising the greatness of the Lord, happily they were carried forth by a swift voyage. Indeed after the journey was complete, they marveled that what had been foretold to them was exactly what they experienced. For one of the sailors, whose name was Disigius, while a restful slumber held his limbs, is said to have been addressed by the image of a venerable man in the following way:
"Do not be afraid, but be bold, for I will be with you."
And Disigus responded: "Who are you, o lord?"
To which the venerable hero gave the following response: "I am Nicholas, who is now with you, and as proof that I speak the truth, you will arrive at the port of Bari on the 20th day after which you took away my body." After saying this, he vanished before his eyes. Waking up, he did not delay in telling this to all the others.
And it is confirmed that it ultimately came to pass just as it was predicted. Therefore, trusting in so great an oracle, they had only the slightest fear of the threats of the sea. Nor did they expect the furious assaults of the winds, that, as sailors, they were accustomed to fear. Nor were they afraid that a storm at sea would befall them. Indeed they were bearing with them over the sea that man for whom the terrible storms often lay quiet.
Rejoicing as their ships cut through the sea, a small bird suddenly appeared to them, which flew all around the ship and at times walked among the sailors. It seemed as if it were domesticated as it came and went, climbing and descending the ship. Looking upon it with joyful faces, they marveled not only at its tameness and its movement, but also at its arrival.
For they seemed to be in the middle of the sea, ships flying with sails full, separated from the islands and the land by a very great distance: therefore not understanding where the bird had come from, they were seized by happiness and wonder. The bird, after walking a little here and there on the boat, disappeared in front of their eyes and was never seen again. Therefore they were made happy from this which they beheld, since they believed that something other than a bird was behind the vision.
13. Each day they were filled with more happiness. For during these many revolutions of the sun they began to perceive the sweetest fragrance, marvelous and unseen. Justifiably gladdened by this, they reached the port of Saint George in a few days, which is only 5 miles from the walls of Bari.
Here however, taking out the sacred relics from that vessel which we mentioned before, first kissing them with worthy veneration, they enclosed them as best as they were able in a wooden box which they had prepared on the journey, covering it tightly on the outside with a cloak. They also sent some from their party ahead to announce their arrival to the clergy and people of Bari.
With the news having been announced, immediately the whole citizenry was filled with an unexpected and wonderful joy; and with all delay now removed, people of each sex and of all ages, even the sick, convened at the shore. For indeed all the men and women, old and young, old women and maidens, boys and young girls, came with intent gazes and the happiest minds, and they awaited the boats which were bringing happiness not only to Bari alone, but also to all of Italy.
14. As they brought their ships into port however, those who had brought this mighty treasure didn't know to what religious man they should hand it over and entrust it. For Urso, the archbishop of Bari, a religious man, worthy in the eyes of god, well known and a friend to the Italian lords, was absent.
For he was at Trani, and we were with him on that day, since a ship was being prepared there, which he had arranged to board on the following day in order to travel to Jerusalem for the sake of prayer. Therefore a delegate immediately and with haste went to him with a letter from the people of Bari, explaining how the omnipotent Lord had given such great and miraculous gifts to his church and in his time.
Therefore with the journey which he had begun being abandoned, filled with immense happiness, he delayed in no way to hasten to Bari. Meanwhile the sailors entrusted the box with the sacred remains to Elias, the abbot of the cloister of Saint Benedict, which was located above the port. Taking the box, the abbot placed it in the church of Saint Benedict on the ninth day of the month of May, on which day it has been established to celebrate a solemnity for the Translation, and for three days and nights he diligently and cautiously guarded it with his brothers.
From there afterward it was removed and taken to the Curia which is called Catepani. For among the Barian citizens a civil discord was arising, and it was split into two parts. One part was seeking to locate the Saint in one part of the city, while the other group wanted to place him elsewhere.
Then, when the Archbishop arrived, the sailors and citizens called for the remains to be laid within the Curia, if it was pleasing to him, since the location was suitable and spacious, and they wanted the church itself to be constructed there. He agreed to their request, and soon with bishops and clergy and the whole populous of the city, proceeding with bare feet to that place, he took the remains from the middle of the Curia and placed them in the church of Saint Stephen the first martyr, which had been built in that same Curia about three years earlier.
After this they began to concern themselves with the custody of the saint's body, and they asked themselves what suitable, worthy and faithful man they might be entrusted with the faithful custodianship of such a great treasure. And who would receive the offerings of the faithful, and tend to the necessary work of the basilica, and, as a steward, oversee all the services.
But they were able to find no one who excelled at this time with respect to the level of care and devotion, more than Elias himself, the abbot. Therefore with the agreement and favor of all, the archbishop entrusted the abbot with the casket of the sacred body and he placed him in charge of all the other things which needed to be done.
15. Nearly everything which we have written so far, recording in our unpolished style to the extent that the poverty of our intellect permits, his almighty Majesty deemed worthy to be done through the deeds of mortals. But that which follows was accomplished by God alone, countless and marvelous signs of His virtue. For it was pleasing to the divine omnipotence to confirm with its own miraculous deeds that which seemed to have been done rashly.
For there was uncertainty in the minds of many faithful and therefore it was not believed that so much grace and glory and sublimity had come to Bari and illuminated all of Italy from a divine arrangement.
Indeed just as we laid out in the beginning of our narration, there have been many princes of the world already who have sought to attempt this very thing, but never has it been granted to them since the providence of the Lord was not wishing it to be so. If however anyone should inquire, or, wondering to themselves, should marvel that the all-powerful Lord was not willing to grant this for so many years to those whom we have mentioned before, but did concede it to these men from Bari, he will be able to accept this response: We do not know the reason, for who knows the will of the Lord? Who is His interpreter? This alone we know: whereas he was not willing to grant it previously to those aforementioned princes, he conceded it to these men from Bari when it pleased him to do so.
This though we can infer about His intention: that the provider of all bade that this most gracious gift be transferred from Asia to Bari for the sake of the salvation of Italy, indeed of all of Europe. For in this part of the world alone, that is Europe, is Catholic piety cultivated so abundantly and so completely, in other parts either scarcely or not at all.
Therefore it is necessary for all faithful provinces to praise the Lord, to bless him and give the most proper thanks, since he has deemed it worthy to watch over the people whom he redeemed with his own sacred and divine blood, and since He saw fit at this time to bestow so much grace upon these people, so that they might acquire perpetual health through a medicine which some perceive with their senses, and others feel within their bodies and souls.
Nor must it be believed that our Lord wishes to demonstrate his kindness to the faithful only for the sake of healing bodies whenever they are being returned to ashes, but it is necessary to seek an invisible salve after a visible medicine. For the Savior does not despise healing each whom he created, if however a humble supplication and contrition of the heart goes before him. For the Lord does not spurn a contrite and humble heart.
But although all the states and provinces of Hesperia seemed to rejoice at such great and miraculous judgment, nevertheless Bari appeared to shine with a singular and joyous excellence. Indeed with the divine power bidding it, having been sent forth from his own fatherland in which he was born and from his episcopal seat where he presided as a pious and venerable bishop, afterward, as if all other parts of the world were disregarded, Saint Nicholas chose to select this land as his seat, where he might rest the sacred bones of his body.
It is not necessary for anyone to be curious or troubled about why here and not elsewhere, when there are greater, better and more worthy locations, according to our estimation. It is sufficient to know that which we have taken care to outline in the previous passages.
Rejoice therefore Bari, in your unique joy, but also in the Lord, as the prophet says, "Rejoice always in the Lord, you righteous people." Be happy, city of Bari, but also in the Lord, as the prophet likewise says: "May you be delighted in the Lord." Exult, Bari, but also in the Lord, since he alone gave you exaltation through his own grace, and it was not born of your prior deeds. Glorify, I say, but glorify he who raised you up with so much glory over all other parts of the world. For in this way it is suitable for you to rejoice, praise, exult, and glory in the Lord, so that, first and foremost, you acknowledge that you do not deserve to receive so much glory from the lord. For what merits of yours were deserving of this gift?
Furthermore do not be carried away with arrogance, but be humble and have a submissive mind. For he who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Indeed be humble in such a situation where you ought to have humility, since you will be exalted in those situations where it is fitting for you to expel all prideful exaltation.
For the Omnipotent Lord did not adorn and decorate you with this crown so that you can increase vice and sinful deeds. Nor will it benefit you to have faith in the remains of Saint Nicholas, which lie in rest by divine imperative within your city walls, if you contradict the divine will with immoral behavior.
For thus the Jews, with the commands and virtues of Jesus Christ our Lord having been spurned, used to say that they had faith in Moses. And to them our Savior said: "Moses, in whom you place your hope, himself reproaches you." And from the prophet: "The people here honor me with their mouths, but their heart is far from me."
Saint Nicholas does not therefore value empty songs and sonorous praise, nor was he sent here by god so that reverence and praise of this sort of vanity be laid out for him. Nor only for the healing of bodies through venerable deeds, as was examined earlier, but rather so that he might direct the state of mind toward jubilation and praise, which are brought forth by the prayer. And the aim of prayer and supplication is toward this humble and contrite heart, so that his spirit might be with us more than his body. The saint himself also prefers this, he himself values this more for us. Thus it is fitting for us to beseech him every day as suppliants, so that, intervening with his own sacred deeds, he might guard this seat which he chose, and defend it from adverse events, but also so he might assist all the faithful seeking his judgment with the accustomed piety.
The miracles of Saint Nicholas Begin
16. Let us return now to our purpose, lest accidentally, making our preface even longer, we bring weariness and delay to our readers and listeners. For although this little bit which we have prefaced is not fruitless and useless, nevertheless the merits of Saint Nicholas should be heard more attentively and devotedly by all faithful, on behalf of which the omnipotent Lord deigned to display innumerable virtues and miraculous deeds. From these deeds we pass over an innumerable multitude, for all the miracles which have been accomplished in just a few days are not able to be comprehended in quantity by any mortal. So frequent were the assemblies and gatherings of the sick and possessed, coming from various provinces, that we not only admit to not knowing the name of each and their sickness, but in fact we are not able to comprehend their number in the slightest. Therefore we have picked out a few examples from the many, and we will recount these deeds, venerable and worthy of preservation, with our stylus.
When the coffin of Saint Nicholas was taken by the previously mentioned abbot to the church of Saint Benedict, as we laid out in our prior writing, on the following day word of the lofty procession flew hastily beyond the city walls of Bari, and at first reaching the forts and villas in the surrounding region it struck the ears of all reasoning beings with a most happy message, and at once they came in crowds, from all over, from each sex and every age. What shall I say? Both the widest roads and narrowest paths were crowded over a long stretch of land, filled by columns of men and women, old and young, and of varying ailments. Lofty voices were singing praise here and there. They were praising the omnipotent Lord eagerly, blessing and glorifying him. Since he deigned to enrich this land with so great a treasure, and to illuminate it with so much splendor and to behold it with so much consolation and mercy.
17. Then this same word, moving along with the lightest wings, flying farther and farther afield, within a modest number of days it stirred all the provinces of Italy with its marvelous announcement. And then a multitude of Christian worshippers came from all of the provinces of Hesperia, not so much on behalf of the novelty of this venerable and desirable gift and for the sake of prayer, as much as for the divine virtues and stupefying and countless signs of miracles which were occurring daily.
For in the first day at that same church of Saint Benedict which we have written about earlier, where the sacred body was placed, more than thirty sick people of each sex and of every age were freed from their illnesses and, receiving perfect health, giving thanks they returned to their homes happy and safe. On the second and following days however, we are not able to enumerate nor recount how many people possessed by demons were freed from their diabolical vexation, how many made mute by the bondage of their tongue were freed, how many ears closed since birth were made open, how many deprived of sight had it restored, how many oppressed by afflictions of many sorts and alienated from within were returned to health. For there are infinite cases as we have noted before and the number is unknowable to us.
18. A certain man born in the Anconitas region was afflicted with a bent body and was disabled, lacking proper facility of his feet and hands. Kissing the coffin of Saint Nicholas and humbly requesting health, he received it. With many who were present perceiving this, they returned home praising the Lord and his servant.
A certain priest from the Camarena region, suffering an ailment of the humors in his spine, lived for a long time bent over in pain, so that up to this time he was not able to look up at heaven. Hearing that the virtues which were occurring through Saint Nicholas were healing very many sick people, kindled by an inner desire, he took the journey with his countrymen when he was able. When they came to the place where Bari could first be seen, they saw that certain people had set up a great wooden cross, since in that place they received health, having been released from illness at the mere sight of the city. At this place, while moving with head cast down and walking as best as he was able, taking many steps, little by little he began to stand upright. As he himself related it to us afterward, he had a vision, which gave off a strange warmth, and he seemed to be lifted up by something. And suddenly as if out of alarm and joy he began to call out to his companions who were on the journey with him and to assert that the things he was feeling was the virtue of the Lord. Why should we linger any longer? He who left his home sick, and afterwards was expecting to go all the way to the sacred body still being sick, arrived here healthy and glad, praising the Lord, and he returned home healthy.
19. In Amalfi, a certain young boy was being vexed miserably by a harmful spirit, his parents remained here dejected and endlessly afflicted by a continuous sorrow. Then, spurred on by the word of the miraculous virtues, they did not delay in hastening to Bari with their possessed child. And when they approached the place where the aforementioned cross stood, and from there viewed Bari from a distance, they were suddenly filled with an unexpected and desirable happiness, and they beheld that their son was freed from the evil spirit which had been vexing him with its wretched possession. Words cannot convey the amount of joy they must have felt in their hearts from this event. They quickly came to Bari after this, not in order to pray for the release from illness, which had already been removed, but rather in order to bring offerings of thanks for their son's health being returned and in order to give worthy thanks and praise to the Lord and to Saint Nicholas.
20. Some people came from Castello to the servant of the Lord, taking with them a little girl deprived of all strength of body and a young boy completely disabled, who was not able to retain any food in his stomach nor digest anything in the natural way. And after they had remained before the sacred body for several days with prayers and in supplication, and after they saw many virtues occur for others but not for their own, with greater sorrow and grief than before, they began to return to their homes in despair.
However when they had gone about three miles from the city limits of Bari, they laid down here and there under the shade of some olive trees alongside the road to escape the heat from the sun and the weariness of the journey. And while they talked with one another, certain of them said: "We don't think that the people of Bari speak the truth concerning what they assert about the body of Saint Nicholas, whose merits and miracles we hoped would cure our afflicted." And to these people saying this sort of thing and worse, others pushed back saying: "Do not think and say these things. Nor should you be in doubt. So many thousands of people affirm that it is true, that which you deny or which you at least doubt. You marvel at and indeed are angry that what you desired was not granted to you. We should not marvel at nor be angry at the divine will if we do not receive what our merits do not deserve." After engaging in this sort of conversation, suddenly they perceived that the boy was healthy and the young girl, who was never able to use her legs, was walking. And immediately they began to praise the divine work and to give thanks since they received the kindness which they were hoping for and where before they were in doubt, now they were made certain.
21. Every day the winged words recounting these virtues reached different parts of the world and continued to gain strength as they went. And a certain poor man ferried to Bari from Duracium bringing his wife whose limbs were lifeless, and whose only functioning body part was her tongue. For her arms from her shoulders down were altogether deprived of natural motion, which she did not have the strength to flex nor bring to her mouth nor extend. For they were lacking nerves and veins and appeared as if they were made of wood. And her legs and thighs were dry from within and thin, lacking vitality and strength, with only a dry layer of skin clinging to her bones. Her face was drawn out with slimness and was quite unsightly, for which reason she looked like a sort of monster, not a human. She was not able to sit, for she had no buttocks, nor could she stand or lie down, but as if having an inanimate body, that is one of stone or wood, any necessary functions of her body were undertaken by her husband, by whom she was nourished and sustained as if a nursing baby. For he himself brought food up to her mouth and poured water as well. He carried her in his arms through the streets and the forum and the neighborhoods of the city, seeking donation from the faithful as alms.
All who perceived that woman had no hope that the strength of her body would be returned to her, indeed certain said, as if joking, that Saint Nicholas would not be able to heal her, even though he granted health to others. Indeed she appeared to be dead, with life only in her heart and in the chest around it. Weary with this assiduous labor, the husband, placing his wife among that multitude of sick before the body of Saint Nicholas, protecting her and begging the Lord's power with tearful prayers that she be freed from the bonds of so great an affliction and that he himself be able to finally rest from his continuous restlessness and weariness. And since he had a steady faith and a perseverance in his prayers, they were deemed worthy to receive divine mercy. For at last the all powerful force took pity on him and his wretched wife. For he both restored that woman to health and bade that the man have rest from his labors.
22. A certain woman took a ship to the shores of Bari from her homeland in Dalmatia, in order to request from the sacred doctor an antidote against her great affliction. For she had been afflicted by the horrible obscenity of leprosy all over her body, and no voice resonated in her throat, but she emitted only a hoarse and inaudible sound from the opening of her mouth. Thus daily she begged the venerable father Nicholas for a cure to this ailment. And he did not want her to return to her homeland without his gift which she had come to obtain, but with his accustomed piety and grace he preferred that she carry back the fullest joy in her return home.
The guardian of that sacred body was accustomed to wash the floor of the church with water, in order to remove the dust and to reduce the heat of the air, which the crowding of the populus made when they squeezed together within. One day however as it approached evening, with the water sprinkled over the floor, when the priest was minded toward closing the doors of the temple and locking it up, this same woman approached him suppliantly requesting that he permit her to go inside so that she could humbly beseech the saint. Although he denied her twice and three times and more, nevertheless she was not willing to stop asking until she was successful. At length he gave her leave to enter after her ceaseless insistence. As soon as she entered, either by someone's direction or of her own volition, she threw her whole body low to the ground before the coffin of Saint Nicholas and clung to the muddy ground, smearing her leprous face with the mud. Why do we delay with this long digression to show the healing which she received in this time through divine virtue? She who just before had entered with a leprous body, with skin made entirely clean both within and without she exited, praising the lord's favor.
23. A young handmaiden of a certain Sepontian was oppressed by a grave sickness: she had lost her bodily strength due to a crooked back, and she was not able to lift her head up nor use her feet. Therefore she was sent away and cast out by her master, since her service was not yielding results. She then was taken aboard a ship by some Sepontians who were going to visit Saint Nicholas in Bari, so that she could seek salvation from her sickness. After persevering in prayer before the servant of the Lord for several days among the countless multitude of sick people, she was deemed worthy to receive the grace of salvation. For she stood upright and was restored to perfect health.
24. A small pregnant woman was lacking the breast milk with which she could bring up her offspring. She approached the custodian of the sacred body, asking suppliantly if she could anoint her breasts with the oil of the lamp which burned ceaselessly before the sacred body, so that perhaps her dry and small breasts might be able to be made full of breast milk. And when she did this thing, she returned home and received in abundance the gift which she sought from the saint.
25. A multitude of people from Matera came to Nicholas, servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, along with the venerable abbot Stephen of the monastery of Saint Eustace. Who, before they entered the city walls of Bari, were lodging outside near the city, planning to enter in a holy procession on the morning of the following day. There was a small boy among them, brought by his parents, who was never able to walk in the natural way. When the clear air showered them with rays from Apollo, the abbot began a procession of priests, monks and laymen, just as is customary in a church, and suddenly they saw that same boy walking on the earth with his own feet. From which observation they were struck with the greatest awe and admiration and their many voices carried their praise to the heavens and they thanked and praised the Lord and his grace which was greater than what they had expected.
26. In Tarentum there was a certain poor and sick man. He was never able to use his feet, having paralyzed knees and shins, and he was also lacking strength in his hands, and was scarcely able to sit on the ground. When he heard the stories of these miracles, he wanted to be brought to ask for the gift of health. While still in Tarentum he prayed attentively to saint Nicholas, who did not delay in turning his ears towards the man's prayers and piety, but he gave him the grace which he was desiring. For on that same night, when sleep held his disabled limbs, the image of a most venerable man appeared to him, which seemed to exhort him and rebuke him as if he were negligent, saying: "Why don't you go to Saint Nicholas in Bari where you would be able to receive health?" to which the man replied: "In what way shall I go? since I am not able to take myself from this place without the ability of movement." And the image said: "Rise up and go, since you are able." Waking up he found that he could stand and his body had been healed; right away he came to Saint Nicholas in order to give thanks and praise worthy of so great a gift.
27. A soldier had lost some belongings and money, on account of which he was always very angry and upset. Suspecting that a certain companion had stolen it, spurred on by a rash and unjust impulse and instigated by some sort of diabolical stimulus, he stabbed the leg of that man with a double-sided blade, though in this attack he did not sever any of the man's limbs. That poor man, thus wounded, suffered a fierce and constant pain, and the wound, beginning to rot after a while, was in no way able to be healed, and indeed it was infested by worms which ate both the ulcerous and the healthy flesh alike. He did not know what he should do, except either cut off the leg out of fear of death or endure such cruel suffering as long as he lived. But Saint Nicholas resolved that this man be completely healed with his own remedy, for the wounded man, hearing the miraculous stories, hastened to the sacred body of the saint as quickly as he could and one day when he was cleaning the rottenness in the usual way, thus he discovered that his leg was healthy, and in fact he did not see any mark of a scar at all. Rising up, he praised the Lord who created all, who healed him, and relieved him from so much pain. Blessed and without end, Saint Nicholas, for your merits.
28. A certain noblewoman from Cisalpine Gaul and a companion of hers came to seek a remedy for their afflictions, having been inspired by the miraculous tales of his virtues. For the noblewoman, with the function of her eyes failing her, had suffered the limitations of this deprivation for many years. And her companion was being vexed daily, having been possessed for a long time by a vile spirit. Each of them were found worthy to receive their necessary cures.
For each shadow that was present, now had receded.
And light shone within, which the woman happily received.
The virtue of Nicholas broke the bonds of the demon,
which had bound the other woman.
But the woman for whom sight had been restored had brought silver eyes adorned with precious stones from her own house, having faith that the light of her eyes would return to her through the merits of Saint Nicholas, and she happily brought this to the temple as a token of thanks. Rejoicing, since she had received what she was desiring, without delay she fulfilled the vow she had made.
29. An old man who was born in Transalpine Gaul, was sick for a long time in the city of Cumsina. For he had a bowed body, so that up to this time he was not able to walk standing upright, but he walked propped up by wooden crutches. The archbishop of that same city, Leo, often gave him food from his own foodstore as a form of alms. With the archbishop unaware, the old man had gone to Bari, just like many others, in order to ask Saint Nicholas for aid with his illness. The archbishop himself also went with many bishops and priests in order to pray. As soon as he completed his prayer before the coffin of Saint Nicholas, with us in attendance as well, that same old man, in perfect health, approached him outside the church, greeting him. And when the archbishop questioned him about the gift of his health, he said that he had been stretched out as if by some force, so that it seemed that his bones and nerves were cracking. We make note of this so that we might strengthen with the testimony of such a great man that this was done by divine action, who nourished this same sick man from his own store, and whom he saw restored to perfect health by the divine power. Indeed he believed it along with us and many other faithful who were present, and he praised the restoration of the man's health along with everyone else. Indeed many other sick people were returned to perfect health in this way.
30. This also which we are about to relate will be acknowledged by the testimony of many faithful. A certain man from Thessaly, oppressed by his old age and by leprosy, living a difficult life, was suffering during this time. As he himself said afterward, Saint Nicholas appeared to him in a vision not once but multiple times, urging him to go to Bari, where Saint Nicholas was, and he would heal him from his horrible illness.
Thus seeking a ship which might take him, he eventually found one. But the sailors, who were from Bari, seeing that he was sick and that he was speckled with abhorrent leprosy, at first shuddered and did not want to take him with them in their ship. Indeed people of this sort were ordered in an old law to live in a habitation apart from other people, and even now they are divided from the faithful populous and live separately. Nevertheless, being favorable to the requests of the miserable man out of mercy, they allowed him to enter their ship so that he could be taken to Bari.
Reaching Bari, he remained in fervent prayer and supplication before the body of Saint Nicholas for several days. Many people, after seeing his horrible visage once, avoided looking at him again and avoided touching him. However on a certain day when mass over the coffin was done, the man felt his own body grow weary with a great warmth and perspiration. When, touching each one of his limbs with his hands, he began to sweat, he suddenly saw something that produced an unexpected happiness in him. For it seemed as if scales were falling off of his body, and his skin was made clean, and having been cleaned it shone bright. When he saw this, he gave thanks to god and he returned healthily to his fatherland. However, when he had gone almost two days' journey from the walls of Bari, here Saint Nicholas appeared to him in a vision and rebuking him said: "Why did you not give thanks to God for your received health in front of everybody, so that all might know the gift the Lord gave to you? Return therefore in order to tell everyone and show them the kindness which you have received, lest the evil which you previously had return to you." Therefore he returned to Bari and showed himself to everyone who was present.
- A translation of the "Historia translationis S. Nicholai a Iohanne Archidiacono Scripta," Nicolaus Studi Storici, vol. 22, issue 42-43 (2011), pp. 73-108.back
- The word urna is used here and elsewhere to describe the final resting place of Saint Nicholas' remains. It appears to mean something like "burial vessel" in this context. back
- The word used here is peniculum. It usually means a brush or a sponge. Here, the precise meaning is unclear and it might best be translated more generally as "implement." back
- Here the word pila is used instead of urna. back
From M. T. Anderson, Stealing St. Nicholas: The Original Texts, used by permission.