Written and © by Jarno Tarkoma

St.Nicholas

In Greek, Hagios Nikolaos, Bishop of Myra (in the present day Turkey), died about AD 350. Also known as Nicholas of Myra, Santa Claus or Santa in America.Countless of legends (no documents exist) are told about this man within both Western and Eastern Churches. He was born in the city of Patara, and travelled to Palestine and Egypt when young. He was imprisoned during persecutions of the Emperor Diocletian but released later by Emperor Constantine. He attended the first council of Nicaea in 325.

His fame spread rapidly in Middle Ages and thousands of churches are dedicated to him. He has been the patron saint of Russia, Moscow, Greece, children, sailors, prisoners, bakers, pawnbrokers, shopkeepers and wolves. His gift-giving role in Christmas rites probably follows from his fame as the friend of children. The story also tells that he used to give anonymous donations of gold coins to persons in need. His cult spread in Europe and Christmas presents were distributed in December 6th when the pageant of St.Nicholas took place. In many countries this day is still the day of Christmas gift-giving, although there is a mounting pressure everywhere to conform to the international custom of 24th/25th December. The relics of St.Nicholas are in the basilica of St. Nicola, in Bari, Italy (they were stolen from Myra in 1087 AD). For this reason he is sometimes known as St.Nicholas of Bari.


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