The Saint was desirous to visit the all-holy Sepulchre of the Lord. He was filled with longing to see and venerate those holy sites, where the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ trod. It was also his keen hope to find a place of solitude and quiet, where he might abide alone. On a clear day, Father Nicholas boarded an Egyptian vessel with fellow Christians.

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.

A priest from Heliopolis from Alexandria, disguised as a merchant. Learning of this, Barbara sent for him. He secretly instructed her in the knowledge of the One Almighty God, the Creator of All Things, and in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus Barbara attained what her heart had ardently desired for so long. After teaching her the mysteries of the holy faith, the priest baptized her in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, then departed for his own country. Saint Barbara's heart burned even hotter with love for God after she was enlightened by Baptism. She exercised herself continually in prayer, and fasting, laboring for her Lord, to Whom she betrothed herself, vowing to preserve her virginity undefiled.

During the reign of the impious pagan Roman emperor Maximian, there lived in the East, near Heliopolis, a wealthy, renowned nobleman named Dioscoros, by ancestry and faith a Hellene (Greek). He had a daughter named Barbara, his only child, over whom he kept watch as the apple of his eye. The maiden was exceedingly beautiful, and no girl or woman in the country could compare with her.