Nikolaos: A Retelling of the Saint Nicholas Story
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- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2023-12-15 09:21:41
- Update Date：2025-09-14
- Status：finish
- Author：Taylor Marshall
- ISBN：0999658670
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
Reviews
Sraa56
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History， mystery， human flaws and failings！ Is life today much different - we still have taxes to pay， obligations to meet， children to feed and care for， homes to keep up！A good man who does what he can to help the members of his church keep the faith in extremely difficult times。 He believes he is having strange and vivid dreams-almost - real！A man appears on a vessel in the sea， rescuing the oarsmen and the passengers on the vessel and suddenly vanishes！ How can this be？ A wonderful addition History， mystery， human flaws and failings！ Is life today much different - we still have taxes to pay， obligations to meet， children to feed and care for， homes to keep up！A good man who does what he can to help the members of his church keep the faith in extremely difficult times。 He believes he is having strange and vivid dreams-almost - real！A man appears on a vessel in the sea， rescuing the oarsmen and the passengers on the vessel and suddenly vanishes！ How can this be？ A wonderful addition to the Sword & Serpent series written by Taylor R Marshall！ 。。。more
Kay Castaneda
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Nikolaos: The Retelling of the Story of Saint Nicholas By Taylor R。 MarshallMany people have heard of Saint Nicholas who was the real-life inspiration for Santa Claus， the fictional character who gives gifts in secret on Christmas Eve。 Taylor Marshall has written a novel that explores the life of the saint， Nikolaos: The Retelling of the Story of Saint Nicholas。 A retelling is a new， and often updated or retranslated， version of a story。Nikolaos is a Presbyter， an honorific title for Christian c Nikolaos: The Retelling of the Story of Saint Nicholas By Taylor R。 MarshallMany people have heard of Saint Nicholas who was the real-life inspiration for Santa Claus， the fictional character who gives gifts in secret on Christmas Eve。 Taylor Marshall has written a novel that explores the life of the saint， Nikolaos: The Retelling of the Story of Saint Nicholas。 A retelling is a new， and often updated or retranslated， version of a story。Nikolaos is a Presbyter， an honorific title for Christian clergy。 The word derives from the Greek presbyteros， which means elder or senior。 Saint Nicholas is the Patron saint of sailors， merchants， and children。 He was an Early Christian bishop from Myra， a port city in Asia Minor in present-day Demre， Turkey who lived during the Roman Empire in 299 AD。 Catholics， Orthodox， Lutherans， and Anglican Christians honor Saint Nicholas。 A mysterious visitor， Eugenius， comes to relay a message to Nikolaos that three visitors will come to his home and that he should give them hospitality。 Nikolaos prepares for their arrival by buying food for a feast and making his house ready to give them a place to sleep， but he’s plagued by doubts of the strange visitor。 Was this a dream or hallucination that Nikolaos experienced？ How did Eugenius really appear in his house？ Nikolaos has a small but faithful group of people to whom he ministers。 They converted from Paganism to Christianity and attend his Eucharistia or service。 Three young girls， Melitta， Korinna and Cassia are his most avid converts。 Nikolaos serves as their sprititual father since their mother Aemelia， a faithful member of the congregation， died。 Their father Dositheos is not Christian but does not forbid them to attend Eucharistia。 He is a merchant who has become despondent since his wife passed away and takes out his grief on his daughters。 The girls bear their father’s drunkenness and fits of rage by pleading with him but staying away from home when he is at his worst。 Their father’s business suffers due to neglect and bad business decisions he makes during his mourning period。 He is unable to pay taxes to the Roman government so they will soon take his house away。 He loses his will to take care of his daughters and despairs of poverty and homelessness for them。 He becomes possessed by an evil entity who instills in him a terrible plot。 Dositheos listens to the demon’s message。 Selling his daughters into slavery would provide Dositheos enough money to pay his bills and taxes， and to live the comfortable life he had before。 When Melitta learns what her father is planning， she asks for help from Nikolaos。 He counsels her and tells her not to lose hope and faith in God。 Nikolaos deliberates about ways to help the family and prays for them that their father will regain his physical and spiritual health。 I liked the way the author described the three daughters and how they desperately pray and hope for their father。 Taylor uses vivid imagery and dialogue to describe their actions and feelings。 Melitta， the eldest daughter， is especially well-written。 He uses Melitta’s interior dialogue and her actions to paint a wonderful character。 Dositheos， the girls’ father， is accurately portrayed as a grief-struck husband， failed businessman， and helpless father to his young daughters。 Taylor paints Nikolaos as a sympathetic spiritual leader and patron of the poor townspeople。Details of the daily life of Myra citizens give the novel a realistic background so the reader can visualize the story。 Historical references to Emperor Diocletian and his Roman soldiers， who control the town and terrorize the citizens， place the story within the third century so that readers will know that Nikolaos was a real person。 This book will fascinate readers of Christian fantasy， historical fiction and those interested in learning about saints’ lives。 The book is aimed at ages 8-12 but adults will find it fascinating also。 I thought it was a great read and highly recommend it。 I am glad I read this book because I learned about the historical and religious significance of Saint Nicholas。 tTaylor Marshall is the author of eleven books， including five #1 Best-Selling books in fiction （Sword and Serpent） and non-fiction （Infiltration）。 Infiltration once reached #7 on "all books sold" on Amazon。com。 His books have been translated into Spanish， German， Polish， Portuguese， and Croatian。 He also has a weekly podcast on YouTube。 。。。more
CasLim
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Nikolaos portrays a unique Saint Nicholas who is much more human and serious。 We can certainly relate to his desire to do something great for God to thank Him for his mercy and compassion yet harbour much self-doubt about one's own faith when faced with trials and tribulations。 The story has an engaging and mysterious beginning that grips the reader's attention。 Things become clearer and exciting in the second half of the book when hints of what we think might be happening begins to take shape。 Nikolaos portrays a unique Saint Nicholas who is much more human and serious。 We can certainly relate to his desire to do something great for God to thank Him for his mercy and compassion yet harbour much self-doubt about one's own faith when faced with trials and tribulations。 The story has an engaging and mysterious beginning that grips the reader's attention。 Things become clearer and exciting in the second half of the book when hints of what we think might be happening begins to take shape。 The story is a good reminder that no matter how dire the consequences in life， there is always love， hope and charity somewhere。 And while we will always be the little fearful， hapless child inside us， once we have a sudden realisation of the innate pure trusting nature we had then in our Mother， in Almighty God who created us and in the Holy Spirit， we transform into a confident soldier of Christ to do his bidding and to bring the Lord's joy to people。 Indeed， this is a befitting story for a heartfelt Christmas time - a starting point to ring in the bells for a merry Christmas and a joy-filled adventurous ride through life。 。。。more
Christina Weigand
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Taylor Marshall's Nikolaos is an inspired story of the story of Santa Claus and the story of St。 Nikolaos。 He presents a human version of two larger than life characters and brings them to our level。 Nikolaos struggles with his faith like many of us and we see Melitta the young protagonist dealing with the responsibilities of of two younger sisters after her mother has passed and her father has withdrawn into himself。 She struggles to find ways to support the family and keep her faith。 Her and N Taylor Marshall's Nikolaos is an inspired story of the story of Santa Claus and the story of St。 Nikolaos。 He presents a human version of two larger than life characters and brings them to our level。 Nikolaos struggles with his faith like many of us and we see Melitta the young protagonist dealing with the responsibilities of of two younger sisters after her mother has passed and her father has withdrawn into himself。 She struggles to find ways to support the family and keep her faith。 Her and Nikolaos strive together to find God's peace in the trying times of the Roman occupation。 。。。more
Jeff
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I rarely read novels anymore， but I found this one hard to put down。 It had a gripping story line and I appreciated how the faith was such an important part of the story。 I think it bolstered my own faith while reading it。 If we share these books with our family and friends， especially our children I think it would go a long way towards healing our culture。。。 and what a fun way to do so。Although this story is set in Myra in present day Turkey， around the year 299 AD， we see how much of our human I rarely read novels anymore， but I found this one hard to put down。 It had a gripping story line and I appreciated how the faith was such an important part of the story。 I think it bolstered my own faith while reading it。 If we share these books with our family and friends， especially our children I think it would go a long way towards healing our culture。。。 and what a fun way to do so。Although this story is set in Myra in present day Turkey， around the year 299 AD， we see how much of our human nature is shared in cultures around the world and how it endures throughout the centuries。 The lessons learned in this story are every bit as pertinent now as they were then。Of course that shouldn't be too surprising given the timeless nature of the Sacred Scriptures。"if my people who are called by my name humble themselves， and pray and seek my face， and turn from their wicked ways， then I will hear from heaven， and will forgive their sin and heal their land。"2 Chronicles 7:14 。。。more
Mary
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Most Catholics know that St。 Nick is the original Santa Clara having secretly provided a dowry for three sisters in Christmas Eve。 What they may not know is his life of poverty， regular generosity and ability to bi-locate。 This novel tells how St Nikolaos’ famous act of charity that inspired the modern Santa Claus May have happened。 My favorite part was where he confronts the demon who has inhabited the father of the girls。 Recommend this one for your holiday reading。
Karen Smith
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What a delightful book about St。 Nicholas/Nikolaos， written by Taylor Marshal。 The year was 299 in he Myra， Antioch 。 The priest， Nikolaos， has a small congregation which includes three young girls， Melita （the oldest， Korinna， and Cassia。 They live with their father， Dositheos， who has lost his wife and mother of the three girls。 Since the death of their mother， their father hasn't been his loving self and seems almost processed。 Dositheos threatens to sell them to a ruthless man。 Melita runs t What a delightful book about St。 Nicholas/Nikolaos， written by Taylor Marshal。 The year was 299 in he Myra， Antioch 。 The priest， Nikolaos， has a small congregation which includes three young girls， Melita （the oldest， Korinna， and Cassia。 They live with their father， Dositheos， who has lost his wife and mother of the three girls。 Since the death of their mother， their father hasn't been his loving self and seems almost processed。 Dositheos threatens to sell them to a ruthless man。 Melita runs to Nikolaos for help。 Through many twists and turns， Pater （father） Nikolaos must find a way to help the three girls and their father。 With the trials and tribulations facing the main characters， Nikolaos learns about his own weaknesses and to trust fully in God。 Taylor Marshall， uses Greek and Latin words to help develop the story and create an atmosphere of antiquity。 The only thing I have against the book is the need to use the list of Greek and Latin words at the back of the book。 This slowed down my reading。 Otherwise， the book was an easy read and filled with faith and teachings of the early church。 。。。more
Eric
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I am such a fan of any book about St Nick。 This saint is second to my patron st。 Francis。 This story really flowed nicely the various legends of St Nick into one fabulous story of redemption and grace。 I particularly enjoyed St Nick's revelation that all his power of miracles comes from God and need to realize that before relieving the sisters' father from his demons。 Finally it was nice that the book was linked to the previous novels that Dr。 Marshall wrote。 Now onward to book two and three of I am such a fan of any book about St Nick。 This saint is second to my patron st。 Francis。 This story really flowed nicely the various legends of St Nick into one fabulous story of redemption and grace。 I particularly enjoyed St Nick's revelation that all his power of miracles comes from God and need to realize that before relieving the sisters' father from his demons。 Finally it was nice that the book was linked to the previous novels that Dr。 Marshall wrote。 Now onward to book two and three of the original series。 Blessings to all during your readings。 。。。more
Heather Gaffney
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Real life。 Brokenness。 Humanity。 Grit。 Doubt。 Faith。 Fear。 Demons。Some of those words are words we'd like to pretend don't exist。 Or at least pretend they don't apply to us。 The reality is that all humans experience these things; even those we hold up as examples， or Saints。The reality is that the image we hold up as santa is rooted in a real human being who had doubts and fear， who tried to do things his own way。 He lived through life's gritty， ugly moments， just like we do。 He had no special p Real life。 Brokenness。 Humanity。 Grit。 Doubt。 Faith。 Fear。 Demons。Some of those words are words we'd like to pretend don't exist。 Or at least pretend they don't apply to us。 The reality is that all humans experience these things; even those we hold up as examples， or Saints。The reality is that the image we hold up as santa is rooted in a real human being who had doubts and fear， who tried to do things his own way。 He lived through life's gritty， ugly moments， just like we do。 He had no special powers as we like to embellish today。Taylor Marshall's retelling of the St。 Nicholas story is gritty and compelling。 There's some "tough stuff" in this story。 But there is also what matters most: love of humans， trust in God， and redemption。It is an actual Christmas story because the story of Christmas is God's love for us in sending His only Son to redeem our sins。I loved the characters and the challenges they encountered。 I loved the changes a few of them went through from the beginning of the story to its end。 It's a short book and a quick read， but a thought-provoking one as well。On a personal note， one of the characters， who only appears briefly in the beginning， says something profound to Nikolaos。 It hit me like a ton of bricks， and at the same time， a warm hug。 A message from God。 I like to think that God speaks to us in many ways， and God spoke to me in this book。 I hope you read it and He speaks to you too。 。。。more
Hombeline Saclier
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Beautiful， moving Christian story。 Most of all I found it inspiring。 Even in the darkest jour there is hope。 God is still there。 This book is not for children， but for teenagers or YA。
Teresa Cardinez
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Nikolaos is a very enjoyable and quick read。 I definitely wouldn’t have minded if it were longer because the story immediately engaged me: the difficulties faced by the three sisters and their tormented father especially the temptations faced by Melitta in her striving to save her sisters from a terrible fate， the impact of their Christianity on the followers of Jesus in these early years of the Way when Christianity is increasingly viewed a threat to the religious and social values of the Roman Nikolaos is a very enjoyable and quick read。 I definitely wouldn’t have minded if it were longer because the story immediately engaged me: the difficulties faced by the three sisters and their tormented father especially the temptations faced by Melitta in her striving to save her sisters from a terrible fate， the impact of their Christianity on the followers of Jesus in these early years of the Way when Christianity is increasingly viewed a threat to the religious and social values of the Roman Empire， the very human self-questioning and profound humility of the beloved priest Nikolaos as he comes face to face with the reality of spiritual warfare: All he wants to do is care for his spiritual children and save them from disaster but does he actually have what it takes？ While a standalone work， Nikolaos continues the story begun in previous books in the Sword and Serpent series and leaves the reader ready for further adventures in the protagonists’ walk of faith。 This is a book geared to attract young adult readers but is suitable for all ages。 I recommend it highly and gave it 5 stars。 。。。more
Susan
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🖋️Nikolaos: A Retelling of the Saint Nicholas Story is a delightful， cannot-put-it-down book that inspires and educates， with smooth sentence and grammar structure， clean language， vivid descriptions， and believable dialogue。 I enjoyed Taylor Marshall’s retelling of Saint Nicholas， particularly because of its historical accuracy， the inclusion of Greek and Latin terminology， tension， adventure， and humor。 I smiled and giggled at the dénouement， for it brought exactly what this beloved saint hims 🖋️Nikolaos: A Retelling of the Saint Nicholas Story is a delightful， cannot-put-it-down book that inspires and educates， with smooth sentence and grammar structure， clean language， vivid descriptions， and believable dialogue。 I enjoyed Taylor Marshall’s retelling of Saint Nicholas， particularly because of its historical accuracy， the inclusion of Greek and Latin terminology， tension， adventure， and humor。 I smiled and giggled at the dénouement， for it brought exactly what this beloved saint himself brings – love， joy， and a bit of sparkle。 Nikolaos: A Retelling of the Saint Nicholas Story is so good， I read it twice already！📕 Read from my private library。●▬●🔷●🔷●▬● 。。。more
Daniel
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