Sankt Nikolai is the patron saint of sailors and lost causes.
Biography[]
As a boy, Nikolai was aboard as a young sailor the fastest ship of his time, which became caught in ice when the greedy captain and his crew did not heed the weather's warnings. Nikolai was sent out to find food and shelter, and while wandering, he prayed to the saints to help him. He eventually stumbled across a great rock that looked like a serpent, and there met a reindeer. Climbing onto its back, he was taken into a white forest with silver leaves until they reached a clearing with a dining table set with delicious food beside a firepit and a shelter with blankets and winter clothes that fit him perfectly. Nikolai ate the food and slept in the blankets before waking in the morning and taking the leftover food in his bag as he rode the reindeer back to the serpent stone.
Upon returning to the stranded ship and crew, they found the food he brought was turned to stone and ash. They beat him and sent him out for food again, and again he was taken by the reindeer to the clearing for food and warmth. Again, he returned, and the crew beat him when the food turned to stone and ash. Repeated again and again, Nikolai grew stronger and healthier while the crew became deranged from hunger and anger. They tried to follow him, but found themselves caught in a snowstorm once they reached the serpent stone, and were forced to turn back. Even angrier, the crew decided that they would eat Nikolai as he was becoming fat and warm. Hearing this, Nikolai fled at dawn to the reindeer and told it the fate the crew had in mind. It took him to the clearing, but he ate little and prayed for the saints to protect him once more. The next morning, the sun was stronger than ever, and managed to melt the ice that trapped the ship.
Freed at last, the crew and Nikolai sailed for home. But as they were still starving, the crew continued on their plan to eat him for substance. The winds died out every time they were about to kill him, stranding them in the ocean until they put their knives away. The captain and crew decided not to kill him until they were on land again, and thus sailed for home. Landing in port, the crew were celebrated by the people for returning safely, for they were thought to be dead. They announced their survival on their captain's brilliance and their own hard work, yet warned the people not to trust Nikolai, no matter what he said. Instead of acting against them for their lies, Nikolai went straight to a church and gave thanks to the saints for his safety.
The crew was cursed to only taste stone and ash when they ate food, and thus died from starvation. Meanwhile, Nikolai's bag was blessed always to have food and sweets within it. So, he wandered the land for the rest of his life, providing substance to others, especially in the strongest of winter storms.
Trivia[]
- Sankt Nikolai possibly gets his name from Saint Nicholas of Myra, also known as Nicholas of Bari. Among other things, Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors and fishermen. His legendary habit of secret gift-giving gave rise to the traditional model of Santa Claus ("Saint Nick") through Sinterklaas. Sinterklaas is still celebrated prominently every December in Belgium and The Netherlands.
Appearances[]
- The Lives of Saints
- Shadow and Bone (mentioned only)