Nicholas Day

Greece is fortifying its defense posture in the Aegean Sea, with Defense Minister Nikos Dendias announcing plans for a missile defense shield.

Today, the Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of St. Nicholas of Myra, known as the Wonderworker, with a holiday widely referred to as St. Nicholas Day or in Bulgaria: "Nikulden"/"Никулден". One of Christianity's most venerated saints, St. Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, fishermen, and maritime professionals, including captains, engineers, and dock workers.

Schools in various parts of Greece will remain closed on December 6 as regions celebrate their patron saint, Agios Nikolaos, on Saint Nicholas Day, providing students with a long weekend and a festive prelude to the holiday season.

For Orthodox Christians, Christmas fasting begins today. In church tradition, it is in honor of the upcoming great holiday dedicated to the birth of the Savior of the world - Jesus Christ.

There are days of abstinence not only from food of animal origin, but also from evil deeds and thoughts.

Thousands of Bulgarians have a name day today, sailors and bankers celebrate as well, the Church honors St. Nicholas the Miracle Worker of Myra. St. Nicholas Day is also the day of the Bulgarian city Burgas.

The name means "winner", name day celebrate people with the names: Nikola, Nikolay, Nikolina, Nikoleta, Nina, Kolyo and their derivatives.