Gospel 12-6-23. Matt 25:14-23. St Nicholas. Bishop and Confessor.

⁣For even as a man going into a far country, called his servants, and delivered to them his goods;
Sicut enim homo peregre proficiscens, vocavit servos suos, et tradidit illis bona sua.
15 And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey.
Et uni dedit quinque talenta, alii autem duo, alii vero unum, unicuique secundum propriam virtutem : et profectus est statim.
16 And he that had received the five talents, went his way, and traded with the same, and gained other five.
Abiit autem qui quinque talenta acceperat, et operatus est in eis, et lucratus est alia quinque.
17 And in like manner he that had received the two, gained other two.
Similiter et qui duo acceperat, lucratus est alia duo.
18 But he that had received the one, going his way digged into the earth, and hid his lord's money.
Qui autem unum acceperat, abiens fodit in terram, et abscondit pecuniam domini sui.
19 But after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them.
Post multum vero temporis venit dominus servorum illorum, et posuit rationem cum eis.
20 And he that had received the five talents coming, brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over and above.
Et accedens qui quinque talenta acceperat, obtulit alia quinque talenta, dicens : Domine, quinque talenta tradidisti mihi, ecce alia quinque superlucratus sum.
21 His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Ait illi dominus ejus : Euge serve bone, et fidelis : quia super pauca fuisti fidelis, super multa te constituam; intra in gaudium domini tui.
22 And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredst two talents to me: behold I have gained other two.
Accessit autem et qui duo talenta acceperat, et ait : Domine, duo talenta tradidisti mihi, ecce alia duo lucratus sum.
23 His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant: because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Ait illi dominus ejus : Euge serve bone, et fidelis : quia super pauca fuisti fidelis, super multa te constituam; intra in gaudium domini tui.




The great popularity of St Nicholas in both the East and the West is proved by the numerous churches dedicated to him and the frequent use of Nicholas as a Christian name. Yet all we know for certain about him is that he was made archbishop of Myra in Asia Minor, where he died in the year 324 A.D. Many of the legends had to do with his abounding charity and extraordinary miracles, and particularly his Christ-like love for children, so that in Catholic countries he is said to make an annual visit on his feast day to bring presents to little ones.