Nikolaos (Nicholas), the namesake of victory (The name Nikolaos comes from nike, meaning "victory", and "laos", which means "people'. The etymology of the name may be interpreted as "victorious people" or "victorious with the people." Thus, the Saint's name signifies either victory over a people, that is, either victory over vices, or a victory in the full sense; because by his way of life and doctrine, he taught the peoples to conquer sins and vice.)

The unknown village of Mutalaska, in the province of Cappadocia, became famous through this great light of the Orthodox Church, for Saint Sava was born there. He left the home of his parents, John and Sophia, at the age of eight and became a monk in a nearby monastery called 'Flavain's'. After ten years, he moved to the monasteries of Palestine, staying longest in the monastery of Saint Efthymius (Eutheymius) the Great (+ January 20th) and Theoctistus.

There lived nearby a Christian woman named Juliana who feared God and had seen the torturers lay hold of Saint Barbara. She watched from afar as Barbara was tortured, and after the Saint was taken to the prison, looked in at her through the dungeon window. When she saw that the Lord had healed Saint Barbara's wounds, she was herself filled with longing to suffer for Him. She began to prepare herself for the struggle, praying to Christ Jesus, the Judge of the contest, to grant her the strength to endure torture.