Saint Nicholas was born around 270 AD in the country known today as Turkey. During his six decades of life, St. Nicholas dedicated his efforts to serving God, assisting the sick and needy, and performing acts of charity.
He developed a tremendous following during and after his death. In Russia, St. Nicholas is considered one of the most favored saints. Furthermore, his number of devotees expanded after his burial when a liquid substance, called manna and said to have healing properties, formed in his grave.
St. Nicholas the Patron Saint
In Catholicism, patron saints are recognized for their faithful Christian commitment as well as for intervening on behalf of their supporters. Especially in the western world, St. Nicholas is known as the patron saint and protector of children.
St. Nicholas's patronage also involves sailors and their ships, often prayed to by seaman for a safe voyage and return and for protection from storms. Exemplifying his concern for justice, St. Nicholas further serves as a patron saint to the imprisoned, especially those innocently accused.
St. Nicholas Day
According to European custom, December 6, the day of St. Nicholas's death, is designated as St. Nicholas Day. Various countries, like Belgium, Germany, Greece, and the United States celebrate the spirit of St. Nicholas with differing rituals dependent upon his influence in that particular region.
Traditional feasting and the practice of children leaving socks or footwear outside of the door on December 5, the eve of St. Nicholas Day, often occur. In the morning of St. Nicholas Day, children notice if their socks or shoes are filled with candy and small gifts or coal or a switch, their good behavior being the deciding factor.
St. Nicholas as Santa Claus
The tradition of Santa Claus is based on a conglomeration of accounts, mainly upon the generous acts and anecdotes of St. Nicholas. The first Europeans to the New World honored St. Nicholas in the form of cathedrals and ports; however, the steadfast tradition of St. Nick materializing into the American Santa Claus began with New Yorkers paying tribute to their Dutch roots in 1804.
John Pintard, founder of the New York Historical Society, credited St. Nicholas as the patron saint over the society and city in general. Four years later on St. Nicholas Day, Washington Irving published a fictional satire referencing the jolly character St. Nicholas. Since that time, images and descriptions of his life evolved into the imaginary children's icon.
Charitable Work and St. Nicholas
St. Nicholas has been known historically for his generosity, with one famous tale involving three girls from an impoverished family. The girls' father was desperate and ready to send his maiden daughters into prostitution. St. Nicholas secured the family's future and saved the girls by throwing three bags of gold into their bedroom window.
Those who believe in spiritual support can call upon St. Nicholas to guide them in their volunteer or service work. He is a gentle reminder of how happiness is derived from simple acts of generosity, such as through donations and other charitable contributions.
St. Nicholas of Myra
During the third century, a young Nicholas served as the Bishop of Myra, a city on the southern Mediterranean coast of what is now Turkey. Throughout his term as bishop, St. Nicholas supplied grain during a famine, reduced high taxes in Myra, and saved three wrongly condemned prisoners.
His appointment as bishop came about from an unusual recommendation. One of the wisest bishops heard a voice in the night encouraging him to declare the first man named "Nicholas" entering the church the next morning during prayer time as the new Bishop of Myra. St. Nicholas was the first to come into the church doors.
Over the centuries, St. Nicholas became associated with several symbols, including the miter (hat worn by a bishop), three gold balls or coins (representing gold as dowries for the three maidens), and images of a ship (symbolizing St. Nicholas as the patron saint of sailors).
For further information on this beloved saint, please visit the St. Nicholas Center website.
Sources:
- Virtue, D. (2005). Guidebook for the Saints & Angels Oracle Cards. California: Hay House.
- Women for Faith and Family. Saint Nicholas, Bishop. Retrieved from WF-F.org on 27 June 2009.
- St. Nicholas Center. Who is St. Nicholas?, Patron Saint, Bishop of Myra, and Saint Nicholas and the Origin of Santa Claus. Retrieved from stnicholascenter.org on 27 June 2009.
