St Nicholas of Myra

How to recognise St Nicholas of Myra

1. Elderly face and haloLook for an elderly man with white hair, a receding hairline and a short, full white beard, his gentle, slightly serious face framed by a halo that marks his holiness.
2. Bare headIn the Orthodox icon form he is bareheaded, which helps tell him apart from Santa; Eastern icons may show a bishop's mitre, and Western art usually gives him a mitre and crozier.
3. OmophorionA long scarf-like band marked with large crosses lies over his shoulders, one end in front and one behind, the Greek counterpart of the Latin pallium and a sign of his office as bishop.
4. Gospel bookHe holds the Gospel book in his left hand, showing that he is a bishop and teacher of the faith.
5. Raised right handHis right hand is lifted in blessing.
6. Three gold ballsThree gold balls or coins, often resting on the Gospel book, recall the three bags of gold he is said to have given as dowries for three poor sisters, and they also became the pawnbroker's sign.
7. Ship or childrenA small ship may appear for the sailors he protects, or three children beside him.

Names and titles

• WonderworkerNicholas the Wonderworker (Thaumaturge) is a standard title for him in the Eastern Church
• Bishop of MyraHe is remembered as the 4th-century bishop of the Lycian city of Myra
• Protector of SailorsHe is a patron of sailors and of those at sea, from stories of storms calmed
• The Three Gold BallsThey recall the three bags of gold given in secret for three sisters' dowries; later they became a pawnbroker's sign
• Friend of ChildrenIn the West he is most widely known as the patron saint of children

Feast days

• St Nicholas Eve (Sinterklaasavond)5 December, every year
• St Nicholas Day6 December, every year
• St Nicholas Day (Julian calendar)19 December, every year
• Translation of the Relics to Bari9 May, every year
• Translation of the Relics (Julian calendar)22 May, every year