Ascetic Life
The surviving account of Nicholas describes a youth marked by generosity in the region of Rethymno, where he is said to have given away his father's produce of grapes and oil to those in need. His father is remembered as having blessed him to dedicate himself wholly to Christ.
He pursued his asceticism away from the world, living for a period in the Messara plain in the area of Heraklion before turning back toward the province of Saint Vasilios where he had been born. The tradition relates that on this return journey he was struck and killed by an arrow loosed in error by a hunting companion.
The Kourtaliotiko Gorge
The Kourtaliotiko Gorge in the Rethymno region of Crete takes its name from the saint. It lies on the southern slopes of the Cretan mountains, running roughly three kilometres between the villages of Koxare and Asomatos and beginning near the mountains Kouroupa and Ksiros. The name is also explained locally by an acoustic phenomenon — the Cretan word 'kourtala' refers to a clapping or applauding sound, attributed to the wind passing through the canyon.
By local tradition the five springs that feed the gorge's river are held to be the result of a miracle of Nicholas, who is said to have spread his five fingers upon the rock, whereupon five springs broke forth and poured water beneath the dry and barren slope. The springs emerge below the church dedicated to him at the entrance of the gorge.
Veneration
A chapel of Saint Nicholas stands in the gorge, built into the rock face near the springs and waterfalls and reached by a stone-arched stairway; it is a frequent destination for pilgrims and visitors. The chapel in the gorge was built in 1838, and a further church dedicated to him was later raised in the western part of the city of Rethymno.
A liturgical service (akolouthia) in his honour, including hymns to him, was published in Athens in 1879. He is commemorated on September 1st.
