In Greece St. Nicholas or Nikolaos is the patron saint and his primary role is as the protector of sailors and men of the sea.
To honour the saints day, small fishing boats, are decorated with blue and white
lights.
He is considered the master of wind and tempest and Greek ships of all sizes
carry an Icon of him.
The sailors will light a candle before the icon and pray for safe passage and
if a vessel is in danger the captain prays to the saint promising solemnly to
make an offering of a small symbolic representation of their ship made of
silver, gold, or wood, in the event of safely making port.
On their safe return to port, the captain and his crew take the representation
of their ship to church in thanksgiving for their safe return.
