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 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 and ships.
Under 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, St. Nicholas Day.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
(See list). Following his baptism in Constantinople, Vladimir I of Russia
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 more than 2,000 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.
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.
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.
for more information please visit:
St Nicholas Center |
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