NICHOLAS

(c.270 – Dec. 6, 341-352)

Nicholas. Gk. Nikolaos from nikaw + laos – ‘victor of the people’. The most venerated saint in the Russian Orthodox Church, famous for many miracles both in his lifetime and posthumously. Greek. Born in the town of Patara, Lycia (Anatolia, Asia Minor). Only child of elderly Christian aristocrats Epiphany and Nonna. Detailed examination of Nicholas’ relics have established precise anthropometric data. He was 167 cm tall, 90 cm when seated, with an arm span of 183 cm. Of medium build, well proportioned with long arms and legs. Subdolichocephalic skull; the total length of his head was 22.7 cm with a maximum breadth of 14 cm; his face took a pentagonal form. High, broad, rounded forehead (‘luminosa’); slightly protuberant arched brows; large eyes medium-set (distance between the eye sockets 2.6 cm – average). Had the meek but at the same time uncompromising expression characteristic of contemplation and suffering. Wide nose of average length (5.5 cm) with a pronounced depression at the base; bridge of the nose a touch lopsided. Rounded nape of the neck; cheekbones stand out a little above slightly hollow cheeks; protruding chin and lower jaw quite angular. Large mouth; wide, low palate; teeth slightly protrusive, normal prognathy. Earliest representations of Nicholas destroyed by the iconoclasts. The most ancient remaining image dates from the 8th century and is preserved in the Santa Maria Antiqua Basilica, Rome. Ecclesiastical Christian. Studied with a home tutor he chose himself. Never married. Took religious vows at the Sion Monastery. Visited Egypt. Appointed as a presbyter by his uncle, Bishop Nicholas of Patara. Chosen as archbishop of the town of Myra (the capital of Lycia) and ordained by a synod of bishops. During co-rule of the Emperor Diocletian and Galerius he was imprisoned, then released c.311. At the First Oecumenical Council of Nicaea (Bythynia, AD 325) he was relieved of his post as bishop and subjected to temporary arrest, but was soon released and vindicated. Died in Myra when he was over 70. Buried in a marble vault under the altar of the Sion Monastery, Myra. The relics of St Nicholas exude oil deemed holy by believers to this day. On May 9th 1087 they were transferred to the Italian town of Bari (Apulia).