On this day we commemorate the Feast of the Translation of the Relics of St Nicholas from Myra, Lycea (Turkey) to Bari, Italy. St. Nicholas’s Relics were transported into St. Stephen’s church near the sea in Bari, Italy. This occured because of a Muslim attack on Lycia. Bari, Italy was Orthodox at this time and administrated by the Patriarch of Constantinople. Each year the casket containing his relics is opened by a Roman Catholic and Orthodox bishop together. Fragrant myrrh is removed for the healing of the faithful. This Feast Day was established on May 9th in Bari and later adopted elsewhere.
