As an episcopal see, and his childhood church falling vacant, the holy Nicholas was chosen bishop, and in that station became famous by his extraordinary piety and zeal and by his many astonishing miracles. Both of his parents tragically died during an epidemic when he was a young man, leaving him well off, but to be raised by his uncle - the Bishop of Patara. Nicholas was determined to devote his inheritance to works of charity. The image of St. Nicholas is, more often than any other, found on Byzantine seals. St. Nicholas is celebrated as the patron saint of several classes of people, especially, in the East, of sailors and in the West of children.Â
Feast day: 6th December.