A young Greek from Attica, Nicholas spent his life repeating the prayer 'Kyrie eleison'. After a life of hermitage and wandering marked by mockery, he ended his days in Trani, Italy, where he walked the streets with children while carrying a Greek cross. He was canonized shortly after his death in 1094 due to his numerous miracles.
Guided reading
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SAINT NICETAS OR NICHOLAS THE PILGRIM
Origins and early vocation
Born in Attica to a poor family, Nicholas manifested from childhood an obsessive devotion to the 'Kyrie eleison' prayer, which led to his rejection by his mother.
This venerable child was born in the vicinity of the Sterion monastery, in Atti ca. His Attique Region of Greece where the saint was born. parents were poor laborers who could not teach him any of the elements of human sciences, nor even any trade. At the age of eight, he was entrusted with the care of sheep: this did not last long, for the Holy Spirit had particular designs for this child. One day he suddenly began to cry out: "Lord, have mercy on me!" or Kyrie eleison, in Greek. From that moment on , this was th Kyrie eleison Greek liturgical prayer that constitutes the sole invocation of the saint. e only prayer he addressed to heaven; and he did not discontinue it day or night, until the end of his life.
His mother, upon hearing this monotonous cry, believed him to be mad and spared him neither words nor blows to force him into silence. Unable to succeed, she drove him from the house and forbade him from returning: Nicholas was twelve years old at the time.
Eremitic life and trials
After being tested by the monks of Sterion, he led the life of a hermit in a cave, dedicating himself to prayer and the crafting of wooden crosses.
He went to repeat his refrain to the echoes of a neighboring mountain. Maternal tenderness, however, became alarmed and ran after him. He was brought to the monks of Sterion, with the thought that he was possessed and that he needed to be exorcised. The monks subjected him to all sorts of arduous trials. The young man always continued his Kyrie eleison. In the end, the impatient monks let him go: he withdrew with his brother into a cave in the mountain and both led an eremitic life there. But soon George, for th at was Georges Brother of Nicholas who briefly shared his eremitic life. the name of this brother, grew weary of such a mortified life and returned to their mother. Nicholas's occupation was to say unceasingly to God: "Lord, have mercy on us," and then to cut wood and make crosses from it, with which he sowed the heights and the precipices.
Pilgrimage to Italy
In search of communion, he set out for Rome via Lepanto and Otranto, accompanied by the monk Bartholomew, while attracting crowds with his singular behavior.
From time to time, he would leave his cell to go and unite himself with Jesus Christ in communion, but it was not always granted to him. Afflicted by this exclusion, he resolved to go to Rome, where perhaps they would be less severe.
He first came to Lepanto, and there found a monk named Bartholomew, who joine Barthélemy Monk who accompanied Nicholas and likely authored his life. d him and did not leave him again: it is to this monk, no doubt, that we owe the details of the life of this Saint, more admirable than imitable.
- During the crossing, Nicholas was mistreated on the ship as he had been everywhere else. Finally, they disembarke d at Ot Otrante Italian port city where Nicholas disembarked. ranto, where he healed a possessed man. In the various places he passed through, he was sometimes regarded as a Saint, and at other times considered a madman. He walked with his feet, legs, and head bare, dressed only in a short tunic that fell to his knees. He carried in his hand a light wooden cross with a double crossbar, which is the Greek cross, and over his shoulder a satchel intended mainly to hold the treats he gave to children to attract them to him, organize them into processions, and have them sing Kyrie eleison.
Arrival and death in Trani
Welcomed with kindness by the Archbishop of Trani, he died suddenly after walking through the city with a procession of children.
Trani was to be the end of his journey. As soon as he arrived in this city, he gathered the little children and walked around the ramparts with them, repeating his chant. The Archbishop was informed of all this noise; he summoned Nicholas and asked him why he acted in this way: "Lord," replied the young Gre ek, "you w jeune Grec A young 11th-century Greek ascetic, renowned for his simple piety and his wanderings in Italy. ho know your entire Gospel, you are not unaware that Jesus Christ commanded his disciples two things: to carry their cross and to become like little children. Having understood these things, I have not blushed to carry the sign of salvation internally and externally and also to behave in the manner of children, little concerned by the mockery of men. It is for you to judge if I should continue. If it is your good pleasure, my intention is to remain with you: otherwise I shall go elsewhere of my own accord." The Archbishop, having heard him reason with such good sense, recognized that he had before him a servant of God and replied: "I have recognized by your explanation that you are doing the will of God. Therefore, why drive you from our city? Stay until the feast of the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and sing your customary prayers: I will provide for all your needs."
The Archbishop was about to continue, when Nicholas's attention was drawn by the stamping of his little troop that was waiting for him in the street: he slipped away and went to join them. He joyfully walked the streets of the city for three days; on the fourth, he suddenly fell ill and was carried to the hospital where the whole city came to see him: his youth, his candor, his naive piety finally inspired the keenest interest: the little children especially were inconsolable. He died the same day, June 2, 1094, and was buried in the cathedral.
Canonization and posterity
Following numerous miracles at his tomb, he was canonized by Pope Urban II in 1098 and became the patron saint of Trani.
The miracles performed at his tomb were so striking that the same prelate who had so well welcomed the young child from Greece requested his canonization from Urban II and obtained it (1098).
He is depicted with a double-barred cross on his shoulder and walking through the stre ets o Trani City in Italy where the saint ended his life and of which he is the patron. f Trani with a procession of children: he is one of the patron saints of this city.
AA, SS., June 2, new translation.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Born in Attica near the Sterion monastery
- Began his perpetual prayer 'Kyrie eleison' at the age of 8
- Expelled from his mother's house at age 12
- Eremitic life in a cave with his brother George
- Journey to Rome via Lepanto and Otranto
- Arrival in Trani and welcome by the archbishop
- Died at the hospital in Trani after three days of preaching with children
- Canonization by Urban II in 1098
Miracles
- Healing of a possessed person in Otranto
- Striking miracles performed at his tomb after his death
Quotes
-
Jesus Christ commanded his disciples two things: to carry their cross and to become like little children.
Reply to the Archbishop of Trani