Did St. Nicholas slap Arius?

Did St. Nicholas slap Arius?

Happy belated St. Nicholas Day yesterday.  A piece I wrote for WORLD a few years ago has been going around again, in which I take up the account of jolly old St. Nicholas slapping Arius at the Council of Nicaea for denying Christ’s divinity.

Many historians dispute that this ever happened, and they may be right.  Still, legends have a meaning of their own, even if they leave history behind.   (Then again, it might have happened.  The alleged incident is better attested than the claim that the Bishop of Myra is currently living at the North Pole running a gift-manufacturing and delivery service.)

The point is, I have written a more thorough article on St. Nicholas for the latest Lutheran Witness, though it won’t show up online for a few months.  I discuss that article on Issues, Etc.

 

"If Leo XIV says something generally populist such that Trump praises him or if he ..."

The American Pope
"Be best, that's the spirit! :)"

The American Pope
"At his news conference--Journalist: "Any message for the United States?"Pope Leo: "Many!"And then he gave ..."

The American Pope
"You mean they will want to make him God?"

The American Pope

Browse Our Archives