Nicholas

Saint Nicholas is the patron of children and of brides because of his most famous deed: hearing of three poor sisters who had no dowry and were in danger of being sold into prostitution, he secretly threw bags of gold through their window by night, providing for their marriage — which is why he became the giver of secret gifts to children and the patron of brides and maidens. He is patron of sailors because of legends of his calming storms at sea and saving mariners, and of merchants and pawnbrokers from the same tale of the three gold bags (the three balls of the pawnbroker’s sign are said to recall them). Bakers honor him as a giver of bread and protector of the poor, and he is invoked against shipwreck and unjust imprisonment; he is also a great patron of Russia and of children everywhere.