St Nicholas

[RamiC]

When Emperor Constantine brought Christianity out of hiding and prison in the fourth century, the Church faced an empire-wide debate between the Egyptian theologians Arius and Athanasius over the divinity of Jesus. Followers of these two literally rioted in the streets against each other. The issue, brewing for some time, was supposedly settled in 325 at the Council of Nicea, source of the Nicene Creed prayed at Mass today. But the struggle over this doctrine of Jesus’ divinity continued for decades.

There is an apocryphal story that Archbishop Nicholas, at the Nicene Council, was so infuriated at the Arian bishops who denied Jesus’ full divinity that he slapped one in the face! He was censured, the story goes, until the same bishops had a dream in which God told them to reinstate Nicholas. They reinstated him. This story, true or not, put Nicholas squarely on the side of those who proclaimed Jesus as “one in being with the Father” in the struggle to capture the minds and hearts of Christians of the day.

We can thank Saint Nicholas, and others like him, that the acceptance of Jesus’ full divinity carried the day as the Church grew.

The Real St. Nicholas | Franciscan Media

Hoping everyone is blessed on the real St Nicholas Day.

 

[PloverWing]

Thanks! I'd forgotten today was the 6th. One of my seasonal decorations is a little St Nicholas, complete with bishop's robes, that I add to our household decorations on December 6. Time for him to take his place on the dining room shelf!

 

[Shane R]

“one in being with the Father”

I dislike that language in the Nicene Creed. And it's a translation issue. The older texts read: "Of one substance with the Father". Let me explain.

In the American context, where anyone with a little charisma and a 6th grade education and a King James Bible can scrape together a group of 20 followers (hence the meme of Pr. Bob, the ignoramus), the quoted phrase tends to lead to a Modalist view. Of course, the people I just referenced don't use creeds but they seem to be particularly effective at spreading their views through media. So those who do are tainted with the influence of these ignorant people.

I can live with 'consubstantial with the Father' as the Romans were using recently, although that is a word that needs unpacked for 93% of the faithful; essence and substance are both better.

 

[RileyG]

I dislike that language in the Nicene Creed. And it's a translation issue. The older texts read: "Of one substance with the Father". Let me explain.

In the American context, where anyone with a little charisma and a 6th grade education and a King James Bible can scrape together a group of 20 followers (hence the meme of Pr. Bob, the ignoramus), the quoted phrase tends to lead to a Modalist view. Of course, the people I just referenced don't use creeds but they seem to be particularly effective at spreading their views through media. So those who do are tainted with the influence of these ignorant people.

I can live with 'consubstantial with the Father' as the Romans were using recently, although that is a word that needs unpacked for 93% of the faithful; essence and substance are both better.

We still use “consubstantial” in our nicene creed - me a RC

very nice post!

 

[RileyG]

Thanks! I'd forgotten today was the 6th. One of my seasonal decorations is a little St Nicholas, complete with bishop's robes, that I add to our household decorations on December 6. Time for him to take his place on the dining room shelf!

View attachment 374079

Not that I need any more decorations, but where did you get him?

 

[RileyG]

Happy belated feast all! And happy second Sunday of advent!

 

[PloverWing]

Not that I need any more decorations, but where did you get him?

I found him in a CVS pharmacy, of all places, years ago. The box says "Matrix" and "Christmas Traditions", but my quick google search this morning is turning up only "vintage" items, so I suspect he's no longer being made, alas. He was one in a series of Santas from different eras that the company sold, but St Nicholas was the version of "Santa" that caught my eye, for obvious reasons.

 

[RamiC]

Sarcophagus of ‘real Santa Claus’ found at St. Nicholas Church in Turkey - only just found this.