Our Patron Saint

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Worldwide, the greatest number of Serbian Orthodox churches is dedicated to one of the most beloved saints, St. Nicholas.

St. Nicholas was born around the year 287 to Greek Christian parents in the seaside village of Patara, located in what is now modern-day Turkey. An only child, he was orphaned at a young age when his parents died during an epidemic. As a young man, St. Nicholas dedicated his life to God, eventually becoming a monk and later the Bishop of Myra.

During the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, St. Nicholas endured persecution and imprisonment for his faith. With the rise of Emperor Constantine—the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity—St. Nicholas was released and reinstated as bishop. He later participated in the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea in 325. St. Nicholas died in 343 in Myra, where he had spent his entire adult life. His relics were moved in 1087 to the Basilica di San Nicola in Bari, Italy, where they rest today.

Renowned as a beloved church leader and respected educator, St. Nicholas was known for his deep compassion and love for humanity. Countless legends celebrate his miraculous deeds and acts of generosity, many of which he performed in secret to help the poor and those in need.

St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children, mariners, merchants, scholars, and travelers. In Hamilton, the Serbian community honoured him by dedicating their first church to his name. Each year on December 19, we commemorate St. Nicholas, invoking him to remain our constant protector and spiritual guide.