Who is the most well-known Christian saint who lived on the Lycian coast?

Added: 16 April 2009
Ikon of St. Nicholas from Taganrod, Russia

St. Nicholas was the son of a wealthy grain merchant of Patara in the province of Lycia, in the 4th Cent BC.  Scholarly when young, he became a bishop at a young age and is said to have attended the Council of Nicaea with Emperor Constantine.  Eventually, many years later, after his death, he was adopted as the patron Saint of Greece and Russia as well as the patron saint of sailors. 400 churches are dedicated to him in England, mostly by the sea, to assist in looking after the sailors.  Additionally, he has an important chapel dedicated to him in Westminster Abbey on the left hand side of Jesus Christ, St Paul’s chapel being on the right hand. There is a story of him giving dowries to three young girls, which led to the legend of  Father Christmas giving presents to children. There are many other legends which were taken to New Amsterdam (later New York) by the Dutch in the 17th century. His saint’s day is 6 December.

On 'Odysseus' we visit St. Nicholas's home city, also the city of his bishopric and the island where he established a religious college.  He may have died there and has been commemorated widely in Europe and America for over 1600 years.

All these locations are much easier to visit  by sea on M/S ‘Odysseus’ than by land. Come with us on a gulet cruise holiday on the Turkish Riviera and learn more.

Posted by Dargan Bullivant, Partner, Odysseus Cruising, 16 April 2009

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