On the feast of St Nicholas of Myra, the Rev. Dn Dr Vitaly Permiakov describes the venerable hierarch as a “living image of that one and only High Priest, according to the order of Melchizedek...our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave his life on the tree of the Cross.” For St Nicholas, the life of a bishop was not one of high position or honor, but that of service in unceasing intercession. St Nicholas is remembered not only for his charity and care for his flock, but also for his boldness and courage in interceding for those who were wronged, for denouncing injustice and corruption, and for doing everything in his power to protect his people.