Parrocchia San Nicola di Bari di Sellia

Introduction by Don Francesco Cristofaro.

As of now, coming to Sellia as parochial administrator of the parish "St. Nicholas of Bari", I have found a great attachment to popular devotions and religious traditions in the inhabitants of Sellia.. In fact, every period of the liturgical year, Christmas, Easter, or Patronal Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, is characterized by important religious events that always attract everyone's attention. Sellia for all the people of Sellia, devotion to the patron saint, San Nicolas, is very strong thanks to some miraculous events that over time have increased their devotion. Just some examples: the most well known, told by the elders of the Community, is that, thanks to the benevolent intercession of the saint, invoked to put an end to heavy and incessant rains that swept for more than 40 days, oncouncil land in March 1943, the country was saved from almost total destruction. In memory of this event is a Mass is still celebrated on March 21th each year. Another miracle had occurred some centuries before. Devotion popular story goes that Sellia, attacked by French troops who had conquered Catanzaro, was saved from devastation thanks to the miraculous intercession of the saint from Mira. Tradition says that the general, once seen in the church of the Holy bust appeared to him in a dream, put on his finger a ruby ring, which was later stolen. Even today, S. Nicola continues to infuse his protection over the people who invoke him confident, in fact, these miraculous events add the personal history of every devotee who relies on the Saint and asks for his intercession. On Sellia and selliesi, I invoke the intercession of Great and Holy Bishop Nicholas, abundant blessings of heaven, with the hope of the growing of more mature and authentic faith.

Prayer to Saint Nicholas

Glorious Saint Nicholas, my protector and good father, I am here before you to humbly beg me to turn over your benevolent and merciful. How many generations of faithful people have turned to you, how many tears have been spread before you, how deep joy confess you were and how many appeals have been addressed to you! Now they join time my prayers to invoke your powerful intercession. You know the secrets of my heart, my troubles, my desires. Present it before God and ask for me the grace to be granted. The Lord in His infinite mercy, in spite of my unfaithfulness of each day, allow me to have a heart ever open to hope. And you, Powerful intercessor, do not forsake the hour of bitterness and difficulties, come to my rescue, as you assisted the three poor maidens, mariners in the storm, little Basil Adeodato that returns to his afflicted parents; raise your hand and bless me with the sign of the Holy Cross, come to visit my house because you kingdoms of peace, tranquility and health and my loved ones may feel your holy presence. Please, do the same for all those who need your powerful intercession. My poverty does not dare to ask so much, but I place myself under your so compassionate advocacy, or Santa Claus, sure of your worth intercession with God's mercy I am leaving you with serenity and full of gratitude to God for his many benefits. Oh blessed St. Nicholas, help me to live in holiness in the peace of Christ our Lord. Amen.

History of St. Nicholas

His fame is universal, documented by churches and works of art, institutions and traditions associated with his name. But there are just little news about his life . Probably born in Patara of Lycia, in Asia Minor (now Turkey), is then elected Bishop of Myra in Lycia itself. And here, some legends say, performs a miracle after another. As it happens with strong personalities, almost every gesture is transformed into miracle: miraculously he pulls three officers to execution; he preserves Mira from a famine, with other portents. Here it may be genuine facts, embellished by writers enthusiastic. Maybe he got the grace of the Emperor Constantine for the officers(who will also ask for tax relief for Mira), and against famine he may have organized timely supplies. But he is also said to have subsided a storm at sea, and resurrected three young men killed by a robber landlord. A "Passionarium" of the sixth century says that he suffered persecution for his faith in recent history Constantine, who spoke at the Council of Nicaea in 325. Nicholas died on December 6 in an uncertain year and his cult spread first in Asia Minor (25 churches devoted to him in Constantinople in the sixth century). There are pilgrimages to his shrine, located outside the village of Mira. Many writings in Greek and Latin gradually let the Byzantine-Slavic world and the West to be known, starting with Rome and Southern Italy, subject to Byzantium. But more than seven centuries after his death, when the Puglia Norman rule succeeded in Puglia, "Nicholas of Myra" becomes "Nicola of Bari". Sixty sailors, landed in Asia Minor already subject to the Turks, arriving at the tomb of Nicholas and took his remains with the; these arrived in Bari on May 9 1087 and were received with triumph, now the town has its patron. And perhaps prevented others from reaching the relics. After placing a temporary church in town, on September 29th, 1089 they found accommodation in the final vault , ready, the basilica that is rising in his honor. And 'the Pope himself, Urban II, brought them under the altar. In 1098, Urban II presides a council of bishops in the same church, including some "Greeks" from northern Italy: there had already been the schism of the East. At the end of the twentieth century the basilica, by Pope Pius XII entrusted to the Dominicans, is a meeting place between the Churches of East and West, and the Ecumenical Institute of Theology at St. Nicholas. In the crypt there is also a chapel for Eastern Europe, where Christians still "separated" from 1054 can celebrate their liturgy. Gerardo ,writes Cioffari, the Centro Studi San Nicola: "In this way the church presents itself as a reality ... living the future of Churches. Nicholas of Myra and Bari, a saint for all the millennia. S. Nicola is easily recognizable because the iconography is holding three bags (sometimes summarized in just one) of gold, often made more visible form of three golden balls. Legend says that in the city where he was Bishop Nicholas, an unnatural father, not having the money to provide a dowry for his three daughters to marry them conveniently, decided to send them into prostitution. Nicholas became aware of this idea, gave three bags of gold coins which then formed the dowry of the girls, thus saving their purity.

The theft of the relics of a famous saint

With that admirable synthesis of interests that only the Middle Ages knew how to express, in the people of Bari religious and mercantile enterprise mingled. The theft of the relics of a well known saint would have given a religious dignity to Bari that had not yet (still called the Archbishop of Canosa and Bari) and would raise a movement of pilgrims, which in those days was equivalent to what is now religious tourism. The choice of S. Nicholas was natural enough. In Bari, after John, the most common name was Nicola (previously there were three or four churches in his honor).On the other hand, where saint Nicola’s body rests (Mira, in Asia Minor) now raging Turks, Baresi and therefore could not be accused of having kidnapped from Eastern Christians. Furthermore, Mira was on a route frequently followed by ships from Bari to Syria, and thus it was not necessary to organize a special expedition, but it could be included in a commercial transaction. Not to mention that since S. Saint Nicholas was already the number one in the Christian calendar, and therefore the presence of his body in Bari would guarantee many pilgrimages. Political power away, the merchant society in Bari was able to find an idea that unified the interests of everyone from clergy to merchants to sailors. And so, in the early 1087, three ships loaded with grain and other agricultural products were ready to sail as usual for Syria. Probably already in the square and in the courts of Bari the possibility of the abduction of the relics had already been mentioned, but there was not a real project. Nicephorus is explicit on this: the inspiration came to some wise and famous people from Bari who had gone to Antioch with their ships laden with grain and other goods. According to another source (The Legend of Kiev, Russian text of 1094 approximately), the idea came to a holy priest from Bari (in whom someone wanted to see the Abbot Elia).In the dream it would have seemed that S. Nicola asked him to convene the clergy and people of the city and inform them of his willingness to come to reside in this city. In this hagiographic style you can see an agreement between citizens and the clergy in order to advance a company that saw the citizens agreement. It is still hard to say whether the residents were all informed of the company. Probably not, because excessive publicity might impair its success.

From Bari to Antioch (Syria)

At the beginning of 1087 approximately eighty sailors, merchants and slaves (the number 62 refers to participants with civil rights) left for Antioch on three loaded ships of grain and cereals. John Arcidiacono, one of two reporters Translation of Bari, coming back from a mission of reconnaissance, said that it was inappropriate to attempt to kidnap the relics because of the presence of the Saracens AGREED masse for the funeral of a their leader. Proceeding in navigation, they reached the bay of St. Simeon, the port of Antioch, and while some stood guard, the merchants went into the streets and squares where the fairs were held, to sell their products. Even by following the story it becomes apparent that the people from Bari completed all business operations. However, it is difficult to say how long they stopped in Antioch. We know that in this city they were in contact with some Venetian merchants, who also talked about the opportunity to steal the relics of St. Nicola, particularly because Licia was infested with Saracens, and the relics of the great saint risked falling into the hands of the infidels. They took their business to reach agreements on how to move. It was decided, for example, to grant the request of two pilgrims from Jerusalem to join them. One was French, Alexander, the other was Greek They could be useful as interpreters at landing at Andriake, the port of Myra.

Church of Mira

When on the way back the three vessels landed at the port of Andriake, the commanders decided to avoid, if possible, a clash with the Saracens, sending preventively some pilgrims from this point of view, while the others remained on board as well the rowers, the other 47 went in for about two kilometers inside, came to the church where they kept the relics of St. Nicholas, about a kilometer before the village. There were four Byzantine monks, to whom they asked for the manna, the liquid that forms in the tomb of the saint. Others began to pray, giving the impression of a group of pilgrims. The youngest, however, had no patience for all this prevarication. Finally, the Baresi revealed their intention to bring the relics to safety, given the imminent Ottoman conquest. They were also willing to handle it financially. Initially, perhaps they did not take them too seriously, and the monks said that the Saint had never allowed anyone to take it elsewhere. Even the Emperor Basil, the Macedonian, had to withdraw from a similar intent. But when the monks looked better and they realized that those people carried weapons under their cloaks, they understood that those were not vague but serious intentions. Then one of the monks began to go back slowly toward the door, determined to inform the Mires of what was happening. The people from Bari, however , had already locked the entrance, so the poor monk was immobilized. Indeed, one of the kidnappers, drew his sword and pointed it to the throat of the man of God, threatening to kill him if he had not spoken and had not revealed the location of the tomb of the saint. At this point, another monk, who had realized that resistance was useless, and hoping that in the meantime something would happen which would have prevented the loss of the sacred treasure, revealed to the onlookers the resting place of his sacred remains. They realized that it was "right at the hole from which the holy manna had been extracted. Thus they began to give some pickaxes to dig the grave, paying attention not to hit the relics. But time passed and some of them began to get nervous. And so the young Matteo decided to banish all fear and to split the plate of the sarcophagus. Then he removed the lid, he entered the sarcophagus, plunging his hands in the manna that filled him, and extracting the bones of the saint. Everyone looked horrified, both 'for the direct view of the relics, and' alarmed by the way in which the bones were taken. An incident, however, occurred at that point that had the effect to brighten the soul. Among the people from Bari there were two priests, Wolf and Grimoaldo. The latter, throughout this operation, was leaning against a column phial of manna. A rash movement made it fall, with the characteristic noise that precedes shattered. Yet, this did not occur. After an initial moment of surprise, the fact was interpreted as a favorable sign, an approval by the Lord and the Saint himself of what they were doing. So Matthew completed the work of extraction of relics, offered it to those two priests, kissing, put them away in a cloth. Someone also tried to take a nice icon on the wall, but others urged him to desist not to deprive of all four monks of the presence of the saint. Collected the relics, and almost singing softly, they went back to the ships. After some uncertainty as to which ship should have had the honor of carrying the relics, they finally lifted the anchors.

The stages of the return

The sailors had just begun to leave the pier, when they saw the first Mires, called by the Byzantine monks. Some of them cried, leaving at least part of the relics, but the people from Bari said that they had left the manna and the icon. From a distance they saw that one of the monks was beaten, as the Mires convinced that he had been persuaded in change of money. The ships sailed for the return voyage, which initially was far from being shipped. The sources attribute this to the bad weather, it is certain that at first it progressed very little. They spent the night of that memorable in a place called Caccavo (the nearby island of Kekowa). At dawn they left and came to the island of Maestra (Megisti), after which the weather at sea became increasingly of obstacle to the navigation.After only a very brief voyage, they were forced to retreat in the direction of Patara, a city that gave birth to the saint. It was also difficult to dock, but since there was a great choice , being still too close to Mira, they left. Meanwhile the wind and the storm raged, and they had to look for shelter in the port of Perdiccas where, exhausted by fatigue, they began to suspect that the saint did not agree with their business. Some of them even suggested to give the relics back to Mira or Patara. Others suspected that some sailors had appropriated of some of the relics. The voices became excited and they began to accuse one another. The skippers then agreed on the proposal to gather all participants and to make everyone swear on the Bible that they had not taken any of relics. Five had the courage to swear and confessed the stealing a few pieces of relics. When these events were reconstructed, finally they went to sleep. At dawn the storm was gone and the wind became favorable to the crossing, which went under the best auspices. The ships arrived quickly at the port of Marciano (perhaps Makri). After this stop, there was an episode that reassured them greatly. One of the sailors, Disigio, told of dreaming S. Nicholas, who would have said: Do not fear, after twenty days' of voyage we will be together in the city of Bari.In the island of Ceresio they took all the supplies, and above all provided themselves with plenty of water. So, after a long voyage, they came to Milo, where they stays overnight. At dawn they sailed off. That day there was a case that instilled confidence and courage. A little bird, which had followed them since the port of Milos, constantly circled around the ship. Nicholas, the son of Captain Albert, stretched his hand, inviting him to come closer. The bird, after a while ', actually went to rest in the palm of his hand, after which soaring it came to rest where they had placed the relics. Uplifted again in flight, the bird followed the ship for a few moments, then disappeared. Other stops were made in island of Stafnu (Bonapolla), then in the major ports of Gerace and of the city Monemvasia on the Eastern coast of the Peloponnese. Circumnavigating the southern part of the Peloponnese, they came to Methana, where they did the second important storage. Before reaching Bari they stopped at Suke (perhaps a sparse island of Cephalonia). Finally, they did the crossing to reach Italy. They arrived four or five miles from Bari, namely the height of S. George, decided to spend the night in a bay on the coast. The morning of Sunday May 9, 1087 some boats came and heard the news, and informed the people of the city of the arrival of the sacred vessels and cargo. Meanwhile, in S. George, the bones of saints were placed in a wooden box covered with precious fabrics bought at Antioch. After that, proceeding slowly, they covered the short distance that separated them from the port of Bari, entering it in the afternoon of that day, as the crowd was already thronged to witness the extraordinary event.

BONES/NICOLAI

There are different stories about the arrival of the bones to Sellia. I'll tell you the least known but certainly the most fascinating. We are in the ground Tumas (name) who spent several months in the marine area of Sellia to return to the village only when the weather did not permit to fish. There were very few houses in the area, partly because it was often plagued by malaria. Tumas often dreamed of embarking on a big ship to take a fantastic voyage, often seen from afar and slowly disappearing horizon. One evening, a ship was in trouble, and the men went down to the shore to make provisions. It was then that he met a captain who told him of the impending shipment from Puglia to the Turkish soil to remove the body of Saint Nicholas from the hands of the Muslims . Tumas, without parents, unmarried, asked if he could be part of the expedition, and so he did. During the raid on the Turkish soil, there were several moments of tension. The last, just as they were about to embark to return to Bari with the body of the saint, a Muslim pounced against the captain. Tumas promptly gave him a shield, taking a stab in the chest thus saving his life. The commander promised that at their arrival in Bari, he would give him a big reward for the heroic deed accomplished. During the night he imagine dhimself in Sellia rich, so being able to buy a boat of his own! While he was sleeping he dreamed that St. Nicholas told him not to accept money but a bone, even the smallest . When they arrived in Bari, he was very upset, not knowing what to do. The captain called him aside and handed him a large sum of money, but he refused it, and continued to refuse, saying he did not want money, but a bone, the smallest bone healing to take to Sellia. The commander said that it was not possible, because during the return voyage, some sailors had stolen parts of the body and only after several juries had handed over the relics, but Tumas was so insistent, so convincing that eventually won a small relic of the saint, and brought it to the population who were so happy that decided to dedicate the mother church to San Nicolas. This account should be taken as it is: a legend, we do not know how true it is, what is certain is that in Sellia there is a bone of St. Nicholas.Story taken from the blog http://selliaracconta.blogspot.com

THE RING OF S. NICOLA

Having looted the country on the coast of Calabria, the Saracens did not care to enter more and more are on their way inland.

SELLIA: Asylum, asylum safe place and hard to conquer long resisted attempts to continuous looting by the Saracens, but unfortunately ,after resisting valiantly,was conquered and the anger of the Saracens was such that soon burnt the lower part of the country who had just won "this is in fact the name of the district 'ruscia'." Luckily it was night and the people of Sellia, with cunning, attempted to delay the intention of the ferocious leader of the Saracens who wanted to burn it as a revenge, because it had resisted so long throughout the country. Fortunately, during the night, in aid of Sellia, our beloved Patron Saint NICOLA, appeared in a dream to head back told not wring even a hair, to the people and to go away immediately. As soon as the chief Saracen got up, ha was angry and he wanted to know who had appeared in his dream to kill him , but he found no one who resembled the man appeared in a dream ; then he went to the church where , gathered in prayer, there were a lot of people, but even there no one was like him; he went to the sacristy where the priest had hidden the most sacred things in the hopes that were not looted and, under a sheet, there was a statue of St. NICOLA. Removing the sheet , the leader immediately recognized him as the that had man appeared in a dream and stuck it in the kneeling at the saint on his ring finger and promised that the country would be spared and he would live until the Saracen would have done no harm to Sellia and its population. From here the saying "Saracens from Sellia". The head buck after hearing the story of the saint and his compatriots with the same color of skin left the place, which became a happy island spared by the continuous depredations of the Saracens in neighboring countries. (unfortunately the ring was stolen from the finger of St. Nicholas in the 80s) Story taken from the blog http://selliaracconta.blogspot.com .

PRAYER

I greet you, or beloved of God and man all heavenly, glorious St. Nicholas, who prevented and sanctified by God's blessings right from infancy, you were the admiration of your century, and please obtain from the Lord a perfect contrition and forgiveness of all my sins.,

Ave and Gloria.

I greet you, or magnanimous contempt of earthly riches, glorious St. Nicholas, who inherited the treasures you Servist solely to aid the needy and provide rich dowry of three poor maidens freeing them from a cruel fate, and please get me the grace to live with my heart forever detached from the wealth of this land for the purchase of the real treasures of heaven.

Pater, Ave and Gloria.

Greet you, pillars of the Church, glorious St. Nicholas, who with the heavenly and l' most burning your teaching your zeal you opposed errors of Arius and other ungodly enemies and please get me a great love and zeal for my eternal salvation and others .

Pater, Ave and Gloria.

Greet you, or watchful shepherd, glorious St. Nicholas, in order to preserve your flock from the snares of the enemy bravely endured hellish imprisonment, exile and other torments, and please get me fortitude in suffering for God every opposition and tribulation whole time of my life.

Pater, Ave and Gloria.

Greet you, or strong defender of the divinity of Jesus Christ, the glorious St. Nicholas, who deposed by your bishop's dignity, encased in a horrid prison, you were there by Jesus himself and his divine mother freed, and I am praying for this for obtaining the grace to free myself from the chains of sin to make me dear and accept Jesus, my Redeemer, and my mother Mary.

Pater, Ave and Gloria.

Greet you or famous Healer, glorious Saint Nicholas, who discovered the wickedness of a murderous innkeeper you recalled new life to innocent children and please get me the grace to acknowledge my sins and detest them honestly correct me.

Pater, Ave and Gloria.

Greet you, or admire a persecutor of demons, of whom a thousand times you exceeded the inside pit falls and cut down the altars, glorious St. Nicholas, and please do not allow me to keep their because of sin.

Pater, Ave and Gloria.

Greet you, or loving protector of your devotees, glorious Saint Nicholas with the wonderful mother that comes from your bones are sacred medicine of the sick and Comforter of the afflicted, and please obtain from the Lord's grace make me worthy of your love and Your protection in life and in death, imitating your virtues.

Pater, Ave and Gloria.

Greet you, or consoler of the afflicted and dispenser of divine treasures, glorious St. Nicholas, and I ask you to comfort my soul and lead it into the extremity of my death in the house of blessed eternity, as the youth in you lead the Deodato young man his parents' home .

Pater, Ave and Gloria.

SUPPLICATION

Prostrate at your feet, my beloved patron St. Nicholas, I beg you humbly to turn your gaze on me gracious most merciful.Ah! You who on earth you were so solicitous to assist the unfortunate in their temporal and spiritual needs, not disdain, please welcome me, though unworthy, under the mantle of your protection. Fate, or great Healer, I also hope that like many of your devotees, the effectiveness of the extensive power that God has given you, to help and assist those in their needs beg for your patronage.Ah! Do not forsake me in the midst of so much misery and danger in which I am, but help me with your quick and loving protection in all my needs and you defend to me from any danger, especially to fall into sin, more especially please to defend in extreme point of my death from the snares of the infernal enemy and implore the Lord for forgiveness over the countless wrongs of which they are guilty, the grace of a holy death, that made it worthy of eternal bliss, we can praise and thank you for all eternity.
Amen.