Since there's quite a bit of talk about "smack downs" as of late, since it's the Advent season, because I'm studying for my Theology of Christ exam, and because I don't have time to write much more - I figured I'd talk about the real St. Nicholas. There's a bit of legend concerning his life, but I'm not going to go into an historical analysis of it all.
St. Nicholas became a monk during the time that his uncle was the Bishop of Patara. Shortly after his becoming a monk, however, he was supposed to have heard the voice of God telling him to "set about your work among the people." So, he was thereafter appointed Archbishop of Myra. St. Nicholas was known as the "Wonder Worker" for his charitable acts (and supposedly for miracles he performed as well). In 325, the First Ecumenical Council of Nicea was called and St. Nicholas attended. After hearing Arius try to defend his views and being so infuriated by the heresy, jolly ol' St. Nicholas smacked Arius right in the face! This is my kind of saint! He was supposedly taken out of the council for it and imprisoned (not his first time being in prison). However, some of the Bishops apparently saw a vision from God and St. Nicholas was released.
Regardless if the story is true - I think it's awesome that it was well-spread in the early Church that St. Nicholas smacked the business out of Arius.
3 comments:
Thanks for sharing. I do like to think about the original Saint Nic around this time.
"In 325, the First Ecumenical Council of Nicea was called and St. Nicholas attended."
Though, I understand he wasn't in any of the official records of bishops in attendance.
Right - I think it makes sense since he slapped the bajesus out of somebody. But, then again, it could very well be apocryphal.
Oh, how I love the theology of the smackdown!
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