Saint Nicholas brings Basilio, kidnapped by the Saracens, back to his parents (Prayer to be recited to ask for his help today)
The miracles, legends and fairy tales related to San Nicola they are truly many and through them the faithful increased their trust and dedication towards the saint. Today we want to tell you about them, to show you aspects of this saint that you probably ignore.
In the paintings or sculptures of Saint Nicholas, you may have noticed the presence of a healthier skin , or depicted holding out a tray or almost child coming grabbed by the hair from San Nicola while the Saracens at the table look upwards. Precisely this represents the image of the miracle that happened in the year 826, when i Saracens they also conquered the island of Crete.
The kidnapping of Basilio
Il young Basil he was the son of a farmer who was very devoted to Saint Nicholas. The evening of 5th December he went to church to honor the saint, but during the prayer, a large group of Saracens broke in and began killing women, men and children. The young men and women were instead tied up and taken away with them. Basilio was also kidnapped and given to the Emir of Crete.
The emir was impressed by his beauty and he decided that he would be a waiter at his table. And so Basilio began this new life marked by slavery and exile. After a year when the day of the feast of Saint Nicholas, the sad and melancholy young man burst into tears. The emir asked him why he was crying and Basil replied that he was thinking about the suffering of his parents.
At that moment his parents were in the village discussing because the wife did not understand how her husband could prepare for the feast of the Saint, knowing that during that feast their son had been kidnapped. Even though he was suffering, her husband told him that he wasn't right close in pain, but they had to have confidence in the Holy One. If his son had disappeared during his feast, he hoped that during the feast he would reappear.
Saint Nicholas listens to Basil's prayers
Meanwhile, in Crete, the emir tried to divert Basil from those thoughts but failing, he told him to don't fool yourself because neither his parents nor Saint Nicholas could have helped him. He had not yet finished saying the last word when a very strong wind arose. Suddenly the young man disappeared leaving the Saracens stunned.
At that moment, the dogs in Basilio's parents' garden began to bark. Thinking that other guests were arriving, the parents went out and saw a young man dressed in Saracen fashion. Even if they didn't recognize him they invited them in. Here, they recognized him, hugged him and asked him what had happened, Basilio replied that he didn't know exactly but he told thehappened and the strong wind who had brought him to his garden. Saint Nicholas had listened to his prayers and those of his parents and had brought the boy home.