On 19 December 2016 a festive Divine Liturgy in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was celebrated at Saint Alexius Cathedral.
The Liturgy was celebrated by the rector of the church, Priest Igor Babakov.
…The name of the great Hierarch and Wonderworker Nicholas, whom we glorify today, means in translation from Greek "conqueror of people" or "victor over nations."
We do not know why his parents gave him this name. Perhaps they wished to see in him a future glorious commander, for in those days such a lot was considered the most glorious and honorable. But why does the church hymn glorifying the Hierarch, who had nothing to do with feats of war, tell us that the life of St. Nicholas was in keeping with his name?
"As is thy name, so is thy life," we sing at the All-Night Vigil.
How could the meekest and humblest servant of God resemble those victorious conquerors of nations who were driven by the pursuit of glory, honors and loud praise? What does he have in common with those people who, in the chase for glory, shed innocent blood and caused inconsolable tears to flow? He of whom the akathist says that he "wiped away every tear from the faces of those grievously suffering" and that by him "weeping is driven away"?
All the conquerors and enslavers of nations achieved their aims by force of arms, and their glory was accompanied by the groans of those dying in battle and the pitiful cries of the maimed and orphaned who found themselves defeated.
True, immortal glory and universal renown, however, were attained by those who humbly and selflessly served people, "fervent" in spirit with great love for God and neighbor. Instructing His disciples how to live among people, the Lord said: "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called 'benefactors.' But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves… Yet I am among you as the One who serves" (Luke 22:25-27).
Those who, according to the Lord's commandment, followed Him in the service of God and people were truly victors. They are glorified, though they never sought glory. They died long ago, but they live forever in human hearts.
Among the greatest of them we see and honor with special love St. Nicholas. He won a great victory. He is truly a victor over nations, having awakened in their hearts a special love and centuries-long veneration — not by the cruel force of bloody weapons, not by the force of authoritarian coercion, but by the power of his compassionate, active love, the only power that conquers hearts. Holy Church confesses this victory of his love, singing to him on behalf of all her faithful children: "We, O Father Nicholas, conquered by thy love, cry out to thee thus: Rejoice, O Nicholas, great wonderworker!" And St. Nicholas reigns in our hearts, drawing us not under the burden of external compulsion, but under the light yoke of the love of Christ, which he himself served in humility with his whole life, not seeking glory, yet glorified by God and people forever. That is why Orthodox Christians turn to him with special zeal and fervent prayer for help in their sorrows and hardships, firmly hoping in his loving compassion for people and believing in the power of his intercession before God.
How wonderfully all this is expressed in the words of the akathist to the Hierarch: "Thou art truly a helper to all in all things, O God-bearing Nicholas… Those near and far have heard of the greatness of thy miracles… The whole world proclaims thee… a swift intercessor in troubles."
Among the holy icons our gaze rests with love and reverent attention on the face of St. Nicholas. How dear to us is this face of a gracious elder with a high, open brow and eyes that penetrate the soul, shining with compassionate love! In this face we sense the grace given by God to win over every soul, to drive away sorrow and to pour forth consolation. St. Nicholas becomes for us an "all-radiant and all-beloved lamp" — that is, a lamp that shines on all and for all, and is loved and cherished by all.
Such glory and such deep love the Hierarch acquired by his holy life and his extraordinary love and compassion for people…
May we too, through the prayers of St. Nicholas, be granted the strength to imitate him in our lives, so that we too may prove victorious over our sinful, self-loving impulses and win the hearts of our neighbors not by proud self-exaltation and love of power, but by humble deeds of Christian love and mercy.
After the Liturgy the akathist to St. Nicholas was read.
