Nicholas, born into an illustrious family, was a citizen of the city of Patara, one of the most noble cities of the province of Lycia.
When he was deprived of both parents, he often put before the eyes of his mind that gospel saying: “Unless a man renounce all that he possesses, he cannot be my disciple.”
Then in private, drawing back every veil of his longings before God, he prayed that He who has all knowledge would deign to inspire him, in order that he might so arrange things concerning the great wealth which had been left to him, that he might be approved in the divine presence with no human praise.
