Thursday, December 6, 2012

Feast of St. Nicholas


Blessed Feast of St. Nicholas
December 6

Icon from Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Website

What a beautiful day this gets to be, thanks to the good works of St Nicholas.
There are so many resources out there and even societies about preserving his memory.
He is one of the most popular saints in the world.
I am not exaggerating. 
There are 43 churches in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America,
which includes, the sweet community whose church building was destroyed on September 11, 2001. There are 65 churches listed in the Orthodox Church of America, 14 in the Antiochian Orthodox Archdioceses of America and 4 churches in the Romanian Orthodox Church.
640 churches listed by the Catholic Church of America.

In our home, we start the day checking our shoes for treats left overnight?
If we get something, it is a good indicator that he may come back at Christmas.
We always find some assortment of chocolate and oranges and candy.
This year, it was one orange, with gumballs, lollipops and gold coins (three of each).



After the oranges are eaten,
 the peels are added to a pot of boiling water with some cloves and a cinnamon stick, 
for the beautiful aroma. 




St Nick cookies and Raisin Tarts are a sweet treat for the day.



I don't have a special cookie cutter. 
I just use the one shaped for a girl.
We have in the past also surprised a family member, and/or a parishioner or two,  
with decorating their front door with candy canes and gold chocolate coins. 
To be discovered when they come out in the morning. 
Not as easy to do with a little one in the house and early church services
but I love what we have now, and look forward to restarting this fun tradition, 
in the future.

How do you celebrate?

The winner of the 100 and Counting Giveaway is Mat. Anna.
Email me.
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1 comment:

Matushka Anna said...

LOL, just coming to wish you a happy feast and there's my name! (c;

We put our shoes out (well, the children do) and there are surprises there in the morning from St. Nicholas. This year it was chocolate coins and each child got a miniature animal (in resin) since they like little things.

I like the idea of surprising a neighbor. One day when we live where we have neighbors who have heard of St. Nicholas (I think perhaps two go to church at all??) it will be a fun thing to do.