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Did St. Nicholas Really Slap Arius?

It’s nearly Christmas time again, and like clockwork, the internet memes come out all over social media about Saint Nicholas giving the heretic Arius a slap across the face at the Council of Nicaea! As it’s almost the end of November and coming up soon is the feast day of St. Nicholas on December 6th, the original inspiration behind Santa Claus, I thought I’d address this long-standing myth about Nicholas of Myra (present-day Demre, Turkey), the fourth century bishop. St. Nicholas is often humorously portrayed in social media memes which playfully recount the infamous incident during the Council of Nicaea when the good bishop, provoked by Arius’s blasp...

What is Monarchical TrinitArianism?

...o condemn Arianism and affirm that the Son is co-eternal and co-uncreated with the Father. This does not negate different roles or functions. (Catechism of the Orthodox Faith, 095) In this view, when the Son says that “the Father is greater than I” (John 14:28), he is referring to the fact that the Father is the cause and origin. Various Church Fathers have understood this verse in this regard: “The Son does not say, ‘My Father is better than I,’ lest we should conceive him to be foreign to his nature, but ‘greater,’ not indeed in greatness nor in time, but because of his generation from the Father himself” (St Athanasius, Orations against the...

The Real St. Nicholas: A Man of Virtue, Not Violence

...When we think of St. Nicholas, two contrasting images often emerge: the cheerful, gift-giving Santa Claus and the fiery bishop who supposedly punched Arius at the Council of Nicaea. The latter story, popularised through memes and tales of “righteous anger,” portrays Nicholas as a defender of truth through violence. But how much of this tale is rooted in fact? St Nicholas of Myra slapping Arius at the Council of Nicaea.Fresco from the Soumela Monastery (Turkey) The truth is both simpler and more profound: St. Nicholas embodied the teachings of Christ, not through impulsive acts of aggression, but through a life of love, generosity, and devotion. Sepa...

Announcing My New Book: What Really Happened at Nicaea?

...aid about Arianism? Then this book is for you. Be the First to Know! What Really Happened at Nicaea? will be available soon, and you can be among the first to hear when it’s released. Head over to lukejwilson.com/what-really-happened-at-nicaea.html and sign up for updates. Let’s cut through the myths and uncover the truth about Nicaea!...