От Ксении Симоновой"Св.Николай"- "Wonders of St.Nicolas"by Simonova

<p id="eow-description">19 декабря -- один из самых любимых в мире христианских праздников -- день памяти Святого Николая Мирликийского, называемого также Николаем Чудотворцем.
Мастер песочной анимации Ксения Симонова поздравляет интернет-сообщество с этим великим Днём. Для неё праздник Николая Чудотворца имеет особое значение:
«Я родилась, выросла и живу в городе у моря. В Евпатории почитание Святителя Николая особо велико: существует предание, что много столетий греческий корабль, шедший к берегам нашего города, попал в страшный шторм. Моряки стали молиться Святому Николаю и просить о спасении. Святитель появился перед кораблём и усмирил бурю. Причалив, корабельщики первым делом установили на берегу крест в память об этом чудесном событии. Спустя время на этом месте был построен первый, «старый» храм в честь Николая Чудотворца. А в конце 19 века город приступил к строительству нового, невероятного здания этого храма, на том же месте. Уникальность его в том, что он является уменьшенной копией Константинопольской Святой Софии. На освящении нашего храма побывал последний Российский Император Николай Второй и Его Семья. Всё это знаменитые страницы истории нашего города, которыми мы, евпаторийцы, гордимся и дорожим».
On December, 19th we celebrate one of the most beloved Christian Festivals -- St Nicolas Day. Since the old times this day was marked by altruism, sharing with others and charity.
The sand artist Kseniya Simonova, winner of "Ukraine's Got Talent" presented a specially created sand story devoted to St Nicolas.
Kseniya Simonova: "This Holy Person many times helped me in my life. When my and my husband's business collapsed, it seemed that we won't have money even to buy food. The crisis was in its power, we did not have where to live and did not know what to do. Our son Dima was less than a year then, I was not sure whether I will be able to buy products for him. I remember, once I came to the St Nicolas Church, which is the Main Cathedral of our city, Evpatoriya. Before you enter the church itself, you pass a gallery where on the walls there are icons of St Nicolas and his Holy Wonders. They are big, almost from the floor to the top. I stood there with my child and prayed with tears: "St Nicolas, you help people, you help those who have no money... I am begging you, please, learn me to do something to get money for food and apartment..." In a few month I entered the casting of "Ukraine's got talent" which I won in half a year. I am sure it was St Nicolas who helped me, he did what I was begging him -- gave me an idea how to work and survive".
The mothertown of the sand artist Kseniya Simonova is also a special place concerning St Nicolas/:
"The place where the St Nicolas Cathedral was build was chosen not occasionally. Many years ago the Greek ship which was travelling by these shores got into a storm and was so damaged that started sinking. The sailors cried a prayer: "St Nicolas, please come and save us!" Suddenly, he appeared and the storm stopped. The survivors built there a Church of St Nicolas. Than, after years passed it was rebuild into a bigger one. It is famous not only with its beauty but also about the following fact. It was visited by the last Russian Tsar Nicolas II. All our citizens including me are proud to have St Nicolas as a defender"
The sand film is a mixture of allegory and truth:
"This is how I feel and see the Wonders of St Nicolas. I enjoyed the prossess. I hope you will also enjoy watching", - says the Artist.</p>