We come today to one of the most unique churches in the
stational list, St. Nicholas in Prison. St. Nicholas was the bishop of
Myra, in present-day Turkey, in the early fourth century. He was
imprisoned during the persecutions of Diocletian, being released after the
Edict of Milan. Just over a decade later he would be among the defenders
of the orthodox party at the First Council of Nicea. He is perhaps better
remembered for the many charitable deeds he performed during his ministry, such
as paying the dowry for three daughters of a poor man.
The current church building is built in the remains of
three Roman temples which once stood on the edge of the Forum Holitorium, the
vegetable market of the ancient city. After the decline of the city
during the middle of the first millennium, the church of St. Nicholas was built
on their site. It is possible that one of these had been used as a prison
for a time, leading to the name of the church (From: Procedamus in Pacem, PNAC).
Collect
May the working of your mercy,
O Lord, we pray, direct
our hearts aright,
for without your grace we cannot find favor in your sight.
Through
our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of
the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
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