| Description: | Today, December 6th is St. Nicholas' Day.
Saint Nicholas of Myra (traditionally 15 March 270 – 6 December 343), also known as Nicholas of Bari, was an early Christian bishop of the ancient Greek maritime city of Myra in Asia Minor during the time of the Roman Empire. Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, repentant thieves, prostitutes, children, brewers, pawnbrokers, and students in various cities and countries around Europe. His reputation evolved among the faithful, as was common for early Christian saints, and his legendary habit of secret gift-giving gave rise to the traditional model of Santa Claus ("Saint Nick") through Sinterklaas.
The hymn, "Let us lift our joyful voices" was originally an 11th century Latin hymn. In the English version, it use the famous tune, "Stuttgart," which is attributed to Christian Witt, 1715.
For the final verse, I use the free accompaniment by T. Tertius Noble (1867-1953), organist of Ely Cathedral, York Minster, and St. Thomas Church in New York City.
The score for the hymn is attached below, as well as for the free accompaniment. Also attached is a photo of T. Tertius Noble, and several depictions of Saint Nicholas.
When I was a boy, my family attended St. Nicholas RC Church. I still live only about a block away. Although I am now an Episcopalian, I still recall the awe that I felt at solemn occasions, before the liturgy was changed.
I've also attached a few photos of St. Nicholas Church as it USED to look. It was never really a magnificent church, but is a graceful, fairly large Romanesque building.
It no longer has things like "high altars" or "testers" (canopy over the altar), but I understand that it has a baptismal pool with flashing twinkie-lights... :-( |
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