Holy Trinity
The Holy Trinity of our Holy Orthodox Church is our God. The Holy Trinity is the Father, the Son, (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. They are one God in three persons, existing in an eternal way for the salvation of the world.
We witness the Holy Trinity in Christ’s Baptism when we hear the Father speak, “This is my beloved Son of whom I am well pleased,” the Son Jesus Christ who is being baptized and the Holy Spirit as a Dove.
All three persons are together in one event. Jesus Christ is publicly proclaimed the Son of God at His Baptism and then He leaves for the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for 40 days.
We also witness the Trinitarian God at the Holy Transfiguration on Mount Tabor when Christ appeared to the disciples with a bright shining light, for Christ appeared in the glory of His divinity. We hear God the Father say, “this is my beloved Son,” we see Christ in the heavens, and we witness this incredible uncreated light symbolizing the Holy Spirit. “And He was transfigured before them. His face was shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.” (Matthew 17:2).
Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas lived during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, and reposed in 330, As a young man, he desired to espouse the solitary life.
He made a pilgrimage to the holy city of Jerusalem, where he found a place to withdraw to devote himself to prayer. It was made known to him, however, that this was not the will of God for him, but that he should return to his homeland to be a cause of salvation for many.
He returned to Myra and was ordained bishop. He became known for his abundant mercy, providing for the poor and needy, and delivering those who had been unjustly accused.
No less was he known for his zeal for the truth. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council of the 318 Fathers at Nicaea in 325; upon hearing the blasphemies that Arius brazenly uttered against the Son of God, Saint Nicholas struck him on the face. Since the canons of the Church forbid the clergy to strike any man at all, his fellow bishops were in perplexity what disciplinary action was to be taken against this hierarchy whom all revered.
In the night our Lord Jesus Christand our Lady Theotokos appeared to certain of the bishops, informing them that no action was to be taken against him since he had acted not out of passion, but extreme love and piety. The Dismissal Hymn for holy hierarchs, the truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flockwas written originally for Saint Nicholas. He is the patron of all travelers and sea-farers in particular; he is one of the best-known and best-loved Saints of all time.