Sermon on Saint Nicholas of Myra in Lycia – Father Gavril Galev
Posted By Macedon on December 19, 2024
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Today we celebrate the memory of the great Wonderworker of the Holy Orthodox Church, Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia. Saint Nicholas is one of the greatest saints and the greatest people born in the history of mankind.
When we talk about our holy father Nicholas, we should also ask ourselves a few questions related to his life that are useful to us. How did he achieve that dignity and is it only possible and given unto him or to all of us? And why does not everyone reach the state of holiness?
The main answer is in choosing the way of living.
The beatitudes we read today in the Gospel, which is read and is dedicated to the Venerable, show the path from the image to the likeness of God:
‘Blessed are you poor,
For yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now,
For you shall be filled.
Blessed are you who weep now,
For you shall laugh.
Blessed are you when men hate you,
And when they exclude you,
And revile you, and cast out your name as evil,
For the Son of Man’s sake.
Rejoice in that day and leap for joy!
For indeed your reward is great in heaven,
For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.'”(Luke 6: 17-23).
God has shown us the right way, and promised us what we get in return, the choice is ours. Saint Nicholas chose that path and reached the set goal, and God fulfilled his promise.