view the December 22, 2011 issue as a PDF. - Woodbury Gazette

12 CommunityWho is Saint Nicholas?The true story of Santa Claus beginswith Nicholas, who was born duringthe third century in the village ofPatara. At the time the area wasGreek and is now on the southerncoast of Turkey. His wealthy parents,who raised him to be a devoutChristian, died in an epidemic whileNicholas was still young. ObeyingJesus’ words to “sell what you ownand give the money to the poor,”Nicholas used his whole inheritanceto assist the needy, the sick, and thesuffering. He dedicated his life toserving God and was made Bishop ofMyra while still a young man. BishopNicholas became known throughoutthe land for his generosity to thosein need, his love for children, and hisconcern for sailors and ships.Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian,who ruthlessly persecuted Christians,Bishop Nicholas suffered forhis faith, was exiled and imprisoned.The prisons were so full of bishops,priests, and deacons, there was noroom for the real criminals—murderers,thieves and robbers. After his release,Nicholas attended the Councilof Nicaea in AD 325. He died December6, AD 343 in Myra and was buriedin his cathedral church, where aunique relic, called manna, formed inhis grave. This liquid substance, saidto have healing powers, fostered thegrowth of devotionto Nicholas. The anniversaryof his deathbecame a day of celebration,St. NicholasDay, December 6th(December 19 on theJulian Calendar).Through the centuriesmany stories andlegends have beentold of St. Nicholas’ life and deeds.These accounts help us understand hisextraordinary character and why he isso beloved and revered as protectorand helper of those in need.One story tells of a poor man withthree daughters. In those days a youngwoman’s father had to offer prospectivehusbands something of value—adowry. The larger the dowry, the betterthe chance it was that a young womanwould find a good husband. Withouta dowry, a woman was unlikely tomarry. This poor man’s daughters,without dowries, were therefore destinedto be sold into slavery. Mysteriously,on three different occasions, abag of gold appeared in their homeprovidingthe needed dowries. Thebags of gold, tossed through an openwindow, are said to have landed instockings or shoes left before the fireto dry. This led to the custom of childrenhanging stockings or putting outDecember 22, 2011shoes, eagerly awaitinggifts from SaintNicholas. Sometimesthe story is told withgold balls instead ofbags of gold. That iswhy three gold balls,sometimes representedas oranges, are oneof the symbols for St.Nicholas. And so St.Nicholas is a gift-giver.One of the oldest stories showingSt. Nicholas as a protector of childrentakes place long after his death. Thetownspeople of Myra were celebratingthe good saint on the eve of his feastday when a band of Arab pirates fromCrete came into the district. They stoletreasures from the Church of SaintNicholas to take away as booty. Asthey were leaving town, they snatcheda young boy, Basilios, to make intoa slave. The emir, or ruler, selectedBasilios to be his personal cupbearer,as not knowing the language, Basilioswould not understand what the kingsaid to those around him. So, for thenext year Basilios waited on the king,bringing his wine in a beautiful goldencup. For Basilios’ parents, devastatedat the loss of their only child, theyear passed slowly, filled with grief.As the next St. Nicholas’ feast day approached,Basilios’ mother would notWWW.WOODBURYGAZETTE.COMjoin in the festivity, as it was now aday of tragedy. However, she was persuadedto have a simple observance athome—with quiet prayers for Basilios’safekeeping. Meanwhile, as Basilioswas fulfilling his tasks servingthe emir, he was suddenly whiskedup and away. St. Nicholas appearedto the terrified boy, blessed him, andset him down at his home back inMyra. Imagine the joy and wondermentwhen Basilios amazingly appearedbefore his parents, still holdingthe king’s golden cup. This is the firststory told of St. Nicholas protectingchildren—which became his primaryrole in the West.Source: www.stnicholascenter.orgGOT DIESEL?Now-fill up 24/7No attendant required!ALWAYS LOW SULFURCLEAR DIESEL TREATEDWITH WINTER BLENDThe Oil Heat Specialist200 Route 32Central Valley, NY10917845-928-6731845-928-6739Visit our web site at www.reynoldsoil.comPREMIUM DIESELPUMP STATIONNow– H.Reynolds & Son has thestate of the art diesel pumping dispenserat our tank farm. Just fill upwith our premium diesel any timeday or night, seven days a week,and each time you fuel up it isrecorded from our fuelmasterpump. You are billed monthly alongwith a monthly usage log. Itcouldn’t be easier!OIL HEATFROMH.REYNOLDS& SON, INC.Member of The Woodbury Chamber of Commerce Serving All Faiths Pre-planning Cremation Service Monuments andCemetery LetteringDirectors:Thomas P.SullivanRichard J.SullivanColin W. CampbellEst.1835Two locations:515 Rt. 32, HighlandMills, NY 10930117 Maple Avenue,Monroe, NY 10950845-782-8185ssqfuneralhome.com