St. Nicholas of Myra: Feast Day, Patronage & Prayers

Feast day: December 6 (optional memorial)

Patron of: Children, sailors, and the falsely accused.

About St. Nicholas of Myra

St. Nicholas was bishop of Myra, a city in Lycia on the southern coast of present-day Turkey, in the fourth century. Few historical details of his life survive, but he was so loved that he became one of the most popular saints in both East and West. Tradition holds that he suffered imprisonment during the persecution of Diocletian and later attended the Council of Nicaea in 325.

The best-known story about him tells of a poor man who could not provide dowries for his three daughters and feared they would be sold into a life of shame. Nicholas secretly threw a bag of gold through the family's window at night, three times, one for each daughter. Other stories tell of him saving sailors in a storm, rescuing innocent men from execution, and caring for children. From these stories grew the custom of secret presents on his feast, December 6, and in time the figure of Santa Claus, whose name comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas. In 1087 his relics were carried to Bari in Italy, where they are still venerated. Nicholas shows the joy of generosity done in secret.

Prayers to St. Nicholas of Myra on Daily Catholic Prayers

• Litany of the Saints

• Prayer for a Sick Child

Learn more: “St. Nicholas of Myra” in the Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent)

Browse every saint in our Catalog of Saints A–Z.

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