Light a candle in front of an icon of Saint Nicholas, placed where your children can see it.
Read child the life of Saint Nicholas.
Read child the life of Saint Nicholas.
Chant together the Megalynarion:
Guardian of widows and orphaned ones, * feeder of the hungry * and enricher of all the poor, * deliverer of captives * and saviour of seafarers * art thou, O greatly-blessed and most wise Nicholas.
Another Megalynarion:
Sailing forth to worship our Saviour’s Tomb, * thou, O Wondrous Nich’las, * like our Master didst calm the sea, * and thou didst restore life * unto a lifeless sailor; * and therefore we entreat thee: Save us, thy faithful flock.
Guardian of widows and orphaned ones, * feeder of the hungry * and enricher of all the poor, * deliverer of captives * and saviour of seafarers * art thou, O greatly-blessed and most wise Nicholas.
Another Megalynarion:
Sailing forth to worship our Saviour’s Tomb, * thou, O Wondrous Nich’las, * like our Master didst calm the sea, * and thou didst restore life * unto a lifeless sailor; * and therefore we entreat thee: Save us, thy faithful flock.
Put out your Boots
Its is an Orthodox tradition, in remembrance of Saint Nicholas giving alms, to have the children polish their boots and set them in the window or outside their bedroom doors the night before the feast of Saint Nicholas. Overnight, parents fill the boots with chocolate gold coins (dairy-free coins can be found at www.paideaclassics.com), little oranges, and other small treats and gifts. (Note: As Orthodox Christians, we do not celebrate the secular Santa. We do not tell our children that Saint Nicholas came while they were sleeping to fill their boots with treats. Children should understand that the boot tradition is in imitation and remembrance of Saint Nicholas and events from his life).
Its is an Orthodox tradition, in remembrance of Saint Nicholas giving alms, to have the children polish their boots and set them in the window or outside their bedroom doors the night before the feast of Saint Nicholas. Overnight, parents fill the boots with chocolate gold coins (dairy-free coins can be found at www.paideaclassics.com), little oranges, and other small treats and gifts. (Note: As Orthodox Christians, we do not celebrate the secular Santa. We do not tell our children that Saint Nicholas came while they were sleeping to fill their boots with treats. Children should understand that the boot tradition is in imitation and remembrance of Saint Nicholas and events from his life).