Who is St.Nicholas?
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 of 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 , 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 in AD 325. He died December
6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique
, called , 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.
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 . 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 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 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 . Today he is 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 of (Italy), Sicily, Greece, and (France), and many cities in
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Russia, Belgium, and the
Netherlands (See list).
Following his baptism in Constantinople, 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 . 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 vied to get the
Nicholas . 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' 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 in Bari was one of medieval Europe's great pilgrimage
centers and Nicholas became known as "Saint in Bari." To this day and
tourists visit Bari's great 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 helps preserve a Christmas Day focus on the Christ
Child. |