Grace Received
Death of Nicholas
 Artist: Alexander Boguslawski St. Nicholas Center Collection |
Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, in the land of Lycia, in the poetic words of Symeon the Metaphrast, "had long lived . . . renowned for his virtuous conduct, he asperged the metropolis of Myra with sweet and lovely unction distilled from the blossoms of divine Grace." As Nicholas came to the end of his life, he prayed that God would send his angels to receive his spirit. When Nicholas saw the angels, he spoke the psalm, "I have hope in thee, O Lord" . . . . " into thine hands I commend my spirit." He gave up his spirit and died in the year of our Lord three-hundred and forty-three.
His earthly body, borne by a great procession of bishops, priests, monks, and deacons, was laid to rest in a marble tomb in the crypt of his own cathedral church in Myra. From his tomb there flowed a fountain of manna that has continued until this day.
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SOURCES
The Real St. Nicholas, selections from The Life of Nicholas by Symeon the Metaphrast, ca 912
"The Life of St. Nicholas the Bishop" from