Posts Tagged ‘Myra’

According to legend Santa Claus was first heard of in the third century in a town in Turkey. Nicholas was born into a Christian family. It became evident that Nicholas would live a religious and holy life. He served his local community by becoming their priest.

Nicholas developed a reputation as a protector of the innocent, always generous to those in trouble. Once upon discovering that one of his neighbors was unable to supply his daughter with a dowry, Nicholas made him a gift of gold coins which he hid inside a stocking and anonymously pushed through an open window, thus our tradition of filling stockings with gifts. This kindness was followed by further gifts to others in need.

His fame spread rapidly. As protector of the faith he staunchly defended the Divinity and was called upon by all those in trouble for protection, becoming Saint Nicholas, the Patron Saint of children. He has been the patron saint of Russia, Moscow, Greece, children, sailors, prisoners, bakers, pawnbrokers, shopkeepers and wolves.

Countless legends are told about this man. He was born in the city of Patara, and traveled 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.

Nicholas died December 6th 343 and his body became a holy relic which was much sought after. During the Crusades in 1082 sailors removed the body to Italy and his remains are in the basilica of St. Nicola. The Italian people were proud to be associated with the legend of St. Nicholas and staged an annual festival to celebrate the arrival of such a great figure. By the time of the Middle Ages Nicholas was one of the best known of the Patron saints.

St. Nicholas Day, December 6th, was outlawed because Luther believed the almost godlike status he had achieved was inappropriate. However, Luther realized there was much that was good in the popular image of the saint. He therefore introduced the idea of celebrating the birth of Christ and distributing gifts to children in honor of Christ’s birthday, which is our custom in America.

In many countries December 6th is still the day of Christmas gift-giving. Though there is a mounting pressure to conform to the international custom of 24th/25th December.

Through Germany, where they called him Weinachtsmann, and England where he was named Father Christmas, his legend spread all the way to America where he was called Santa Claus. He lived in their stories and fairytales described much as we know him today; white bearded man with a friendly laugh, dressed in red and traveling in his sleigh which was pulled by the reindeers on Christmas night.