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| (From the St. Nicholas Center) |
The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara.
At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of
Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian,
died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words
to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used
his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering.
He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra
while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the
land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and
his concern for sailors
nder the Roman Emperor Diocletian,
who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his
faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops,
priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real
criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas
attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna,
formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing
powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of
his death became a day of celebration.
Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St.
Nicholas' life and deeds. These accounts help us understand his
extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as
protector and helper of those in need.
St. Nicholas in prison
Artist: Elisabeth Jvanovsky |
St. Nicholas giving dowry gold
Artist: Elisabeth Jvanovsky |
One story tells of a poor man with three
daughters. In those days a young woman's father had to offer prospective
husbands something of value—a dowry. The larger the dowry, the better
the chance that a young woman would find a good husband. Without a
dowry, a woman was unlikely to marry. This poor man's daughters, without
dowries,
were therefore destined to be sold into slavery. Mysteriously, on three
different occasions, a bag of gold appeared in their home-providing the
needed dowries. The bags of gold, tossed through an open window, are
said to have landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry.
This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out
shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from
Saint Nicholas.
Sometimes the story is told with gold balls instead of bags of gold.
That is why three gold balls, sometimes represented as oranges, are one
of the symbols for St. Nicholas. And so St. Nicholas is a gift-giver.
One of the oldest stories showing St. Nicholas as a protector of
children takes place long after his death. The townspeople of Myra were
celebrating the good saint on the eve of his feast day when a band of Arab pirates from Crete
came into the district. They stole treasures from the Church of Saint
Nicholas to take away as booty. As they were leaving town, they snatched
a young boy, Basilios, to make into a slave. The emir, or ruler,
selected Basilios to be his personal cupbearer, as not knowing the
language, Basilios would not understand what the king said to those
around him. So, for the next year Basilios waited on the king, bringing
his wine in a beautiful golden cup. For Basilios' parents, devastated at
the loss of their only child, the year passed slowly, filled with
grief. As the next St. Nicholas' feast day approached, Basilios' mother
would not join in the festivity, as it was now a day of tragedy.
However, she was persuaded to have a simple observance at home—with
quiet prayers for Basilios' safekeeping. Meanwhile, as Basilios was
fulfilling his tasks serving the emir, he was suddenly whisked up and
away. St. Nicholas appeared to the terrified boy, blessed him, and set
him down at his home back in Myra. Imagine the joy and wonderment when
Basilios amazingly appeared before his parents, still holding the king's
golden cup. This is the first story told of St. Nicholas protecting
children—which became his primary role in the West.
St. Nicholas rescuing murdered children
Artist: Elisabeth Jvanovsky |
St. Nicholas' prayer calming seas
Artist: Elisabeth Jvanovsky |
Another story tells of three theological
students, traveling on their way to study in Athens. A wicked innkeeper
robbed and murdered them, hiding their remains in a large pickling tub.
It so happened that Bishop Nicholas, traveling along the same route,
stopped at this very inn. In the night he dreamed of the crime, got up,
and summoned the innkeeper. As Nicholas prayed earnestly to God the
three boys were restored to life and wholeness. In France the story is
told of three small children, wandering in their play until lost, lured,
and captured by an evil butcher. St. Nicholas appears and appeals to
God to return them to life and to their families. And so St. Nicholas is
the patron and protector of children.
St. Nicholas providing food during famine
Artist: Elisabeth Jvanovsky |
St. Nicholas saving innocents
Artist: Elisabeth Jvanovsky |
Several stories tell of Nicholas and the sea. When he was young, Nicholas sought the holy by making a pilgrimage
to the Holy Land. There as he walked where Jesus walked, he sought to
more deeply experience Jesus' life, passion, and resurrection. Returning
by sea, a mighty storm threatened to wreck the ship. Nicholas calmly
prayed. The terrified sailors were amazed when the wind and waves
suddenly calmed, sparing them all. And so St. Nicholas is the patron of
sailors and voyagers.
Other stories tell of Nicholas saving his people from famine,
sparing the lives of those innocently accused, and much more. He did
many kind and generous deeds in secret, expecting nothing in return.
Within a century of his death he was celebrated as a saint. Today he is venerated
in the East as wonder, or miracle worker and in the West as patron of a
great variety of persons-children, mariners, bankers, pawn-brokers,
scholars, orphans, laborers, travelers, merchants, judges, paupers,
marriageable maidens, students, children, sailors, victims of judicial
mistakes, captives, perfumers, even thieves and murderers! He is known
as the friend and protector of all in trouble or need.
St. Nicholas blessing ships
Artist: Elisabeth Jvanovsky |
Saint Nicholas
Artist: Elisabeth Jvanovsky |
Sailors, claiming St. Nicholas as patron,
carried stories of his favor and protection far and wide. St. Nicholas
chapels were built in many seaports. As his popularity spread during the
Middle Ages, he became the patron saint of Apulia (Italy), Sicily, Greece, and Lorraine (France), and many cities in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Russia, Belgium, and the Netherlands (s
ee list). Following his baptism, Grand Prince Vladimir I brought
St. Nicholas' stories and devotion to St. Nicholas to his homeland
where Nicholas became the most beloved saint. Nicholas was so widely
revered that thousands of churches were named for him, including three
hundred in Belgium, thirty-four in Rome, twenty-three in the Netherlands
and more than four hundred in England.
St. Nicholas' death
Artist: Elisabeth Jvanovsky |
St. Nicholas bringing gifts
Artist: Elisabeth Jvanovsky |
Nicholas' tomb in Myra became a popular place of
pilgrimage. Because of the many wars and attacks in the region, some
Christians were concerned that access to the tomb might become
difficult. For both the religious and commercial advantages of a major
pilgrimage site, the Italian cities of Venice and Bari
vied to get the Nicholas relics. In the spring of 1087, sailors from
Bari succeeded in spiriting away the bones, bringing them to Bari, a
seaport on the southeast coast of Italy. An impressive church was built
over St. Nicholas' crypt
and many faithful journeyed to honor the saint who had rescued
children, prisoners, sailors, famine victims, and many others through
his compassion, generosity, and the countless miracles attributed to his
intercession. The Nicholas shrine in Bari was one of medieval Europe's great pilgrimage centers and Nicholas became known as "Saint in Bari." To this day pilgrims and tourists visit Bari's great Basilica di San Nicola.
Through the centuries St. Nicholas has continued to be venerated by
Catholics and Orthodox and honored by Protestants. By his example of
generosity to those in need, especially children, St. Nicholas continues
to be a model for the compassionate life.
Celebrating St. Nicholas
Artist: Elisabeth Jvanovsky |
Celebrating St. Nicholas
Artist: Elisabeth Jvanovsky |
Widely celebrated in Europe, St. Nicholas' feast
day, December 6th, kept alive the stories of his goodness and
generosity. In Germany and Poland, boys dressed as bishops begged alms
for the poor—and sometimes for themselves! In the Netherlands and
Belgium, St. Nicholas arrived on a steamship from Spain to ride a white
horse on his gift-giving rounds. December 6th is still the main day for
gift giving and merrymaking in much of Europe. For example, in the
Netherlands St. Nicholas is celebrated on the 5th, the eve of the day,
by sharing candies (thrown in the door), chocolate initial letters,
small gifts, and riddles. Dutch children leave carrots and hay in their
shoes for the saint's horse, hoping St. Nicholas will exchange them for
small gifts. Simple gift-giving in early Advent helps preserve a Christmas Day focus on the Christ Child.
