Who Is St Nicholas The Patron Saint Of

Who Was St. Nicholas?

We know relatively little about the life of St. Nicholas from historical records. Not even his death date, which is December 6, is known for definite, despite the fact that both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches have commemorated it for more than 1,000 years. After his death, Nicholas became the subject of a slew of folk tales that continued for more than a century after his death. In addition to saving condemned sailors by halting a fierce storm, he was credited with providing financial assistance to a father who was forced to sell his daughters into prostitution and even bringing back to life a trio of boys who had been dismembered by an unscrupulous butcher.

He is also widely regarded as the basis for the character of Santa Claus.

The legend of St.

In the Netherlands, St.

• A tall, white-haired man dressed in red clerical robes was described as arriving by boat on December 6 to deliver presents or coal lumps to children’s orphanages across the world.
• Washington Irving depicted St.
• Nicholas that became widely popular over time.
• Nicholas did not reside in Turkey, Spain, or Holland, but rather at the North Pole, back in 1879.

Patron Saint

Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of children, sailors, students, brides, the hungry, and a variety of other things. G. E. Mullan’s prayer card is seen below. Permission has been granted to use. All intellectual property rights are retained. Purchase a gift card Saint Nicholas is considered to be the patron saint of almost everyone, and he has undoubtedly been designated as the patron saint of more causes than any other saint. Countless classes of individuals, towns, churches, and even whole countries have entrusted Nicholas with the responsibility of special protection or guardianship.

• Saint Nicholas is most well-known in the Western world as the patron saint of children.
• The narrative of three tiny children who were enticed into the hands of a wicked butcher and saved by St.
• Other traditions relate of children who have gone missing, have been abducted, have fallen into a well, or have suffered some other disaster—all of whom were saved by the benevolence of St.
• Because of the universal appeal of these narratives of a child who has been stolen from his or her parents, followed by a period of grief and despair, and then the miraculous return of the child, Nicholas is often regarded as the Guardian of Children.
• In other areas of the globe, however, St.
• There are icons of Nicholas that are surrounded by ex-votos of little ships made of silver or carved from wood in a number of ports, most notably in Greece.
• Nicholas for the protection they have received.

Nicholas hold the tiller” is used by sailors in some regions instead of “May St.

Nicholas.

The experiences of innocent soldiers whose lives were saved and those who had been wrongfully imprisoned were freed serve as the foundation for this category.

The Basilica di San Nicola in Bari, Italy, is still visited by young ladies who desire to get married on the 6th of December, when they drop off a message to St.

Seeing the scope of Nicholas’ tremendous impact and patronage on these lists is illuminating.

People The names “Nicholas” are used to refer to places, churches, other organizations, and other things. return to the beginning Tarpon Springs, Florida, with a sponge boat. Collection of postcards from the St. Nicholas Center

About St. Nicholas – Patron Saint Article

Holy Card Image of Saint Nicholas with Children with a Bowl of Oranges on a White Background St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children and young people in general. His generous heart and affection for children paved the way for the widespread practice of the gift-giving Santa Claus, which is now recognized all over the world as a holiday celebration. St. Nicholas was born into a wealthy family and orphaned as a child. After giving away his property to the poor, he committed his life to serving God as a priest and, subsequently, as a bishop in the Orthodox Church.

• Nicholas covertly slipped money bags down chimneys to assist poor families’ daughters marry rather than being sold into slavery.
• Nicholas.
• Nicholas’ hometown held him in high regard, and his burial location is still a popular pilgrimage destination to this day.
• Nicholas is commemorated on the 6th of December.
• +++++++++++++ The most common associations people have with St.
• But why is this so?
• St.

He was raised in a well-to-do Christian household that was both rich and religious.

Nicholas bequeathed a considerable portion of his fortune to the poor and needy.

The people of Myra appreciated him for his kindness and fondness for children, among other qualities.

Boys who had been butchered are being restored by St Nicholas.

Nicholas demonstrate his inherent selflessness, as well his dedication to the protection of children, which can be found in many of his works.

For a woman to be accepted for marriage back then, she had to provide an adequate dowry for her prospective husband.

This father had three daughters, but he lacked the financial means to pay for any of their dowries.

In response to the man’s predicament, St.

The gold bags fell in the stockings/shoes of family members who had placed them near the fireplace to keep them warm as they slept.

As a result of this narrative, children began to hang their own stockings and shoes near their fireplaces in the hopes that St.

Another legend about St.

Because of a big storm that occurred while they were sailing, the waters had become treacherous, and the sailors were terrified.

Nicholas is revered as a patron saint of sailors and others who travel by water, and he is sometimes referred to as “St.

Nicholas and his horse.

Nicholas joined the Council of Nicaea in 325, he did so in order to fight against a heresy that was being promoted by a man named Arius.

When Arius spoke, several bishops listened intently and were on the verge of agreeing with him, until St.

Nicholas.

On December 6, 343 in the city of Myra, St.

His remains were laid to rest in the church.

The oil that emanates from his body continues to this day (it is referred to as the “manna of St. Nicholas”), which is supposed to have medicinal capabilities. There are many pilgrims that come to Bari to pay their respects at his burial place.

St. Nicholas’ Feast Day

The feast day of St. Nicholas is commemorated on the 6th of December. One of the most popular traditions stems from the narrative of St. Nicholas sending the gold bags via the chimney, and many youngsters will leave their stockings or shoes out in the anticipation of getting a present from him. In various languages, the name St. Nicholas is pronounced similarly to the term “Santa Claus.” This is the region in which the practice of Santa Claus distributing presents to children first began to be observed.

St. Nicholas In Art

When St. Nicholas appears in art, he is frequently shown in the garb of a bishop, complete with mitre and staff. As a reminder of the myth of him assisting the father who had the three daughters, he frequently wears a beard and is occasionally shown with gold ornaments.

Shop St. Nicholas Medals and Rosaries

a religious medallion depicting St. Nicholas and his children

St. Nicholas Medals

When Saint Nicholas is shown on a religious medal, he is nearly invariably depicted in the role of a bishop, complete with mitre and crosier. In addition, St. Nicholas pendants frequently depict him with children, three balls, or oranges, among other things.

Patronages of St Nicholas:

• Children, sailors, bankers, orphans, the destitute, unmarried women, slaves, and students are among those who suffer.

St. Nicholas Prayers

God of pleasure and gladness, we express our gratitude to you for sending us your servant, the excellent bishop Nicholas. He shown your goodwill to us by caring for the needy; he demonstrated your love for your children by caring for them. Create in us the ability to be considerate without the need for incentives in order for us to become excellent disciples of Jesus.

A Prayer for Children

God, we hope that you would lead and safeguard our children via the intercessions of St. Nicholas, and we thank you for everything. Keep them safe from any danger and assist them in their development into loving followers of Jesus in your sight, we pray. Give them the courage to continue to evolve into deeper trust in you and to maintain a sense of wonder at the wonders of your creation. Through the intercession of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. —from Father David R. Engbarth of St Nicholas Catholic Church in Aurora, Illinois.

Saint Nicholas

It is believed that Saint Nicholas was a Christian bishop who cared for the impoverished and ill, and he served as inspiration for the iconic figure of Santa Claus.

Who Was Saint Nicholas?

Saint Nicholas was a Christian bishop who devoted his life to assisting the poor. Following his death, the tale of his gift-giving spread even farther. Saint Nicholas was converted into the renowned persona known as Santa Claus, who is responsible for delivering Christmas gifts to children all over the world.

Early Life

Saint Nicholas was born about the year 280 in Patara, Lycia, which is now a part of the modern-day Turkish Republic. The young man lost both of his parents when he was a small boy. He apparently utilized his fortune to assist the destitute and sick. He was a pious Christian who ultimately rose to the position of bishop of Myra, which is today known as Demre.

Reputation

Saint Nicholas of Myra is the subject of several stories and folklore. One narrative talks of him assisting three impoverished sisters. Their father did not have enough money to pay their dowries and contemplated selling them into slavery in order to supplement his income. A total of three times, Saint Nicholas made a surprise visit to their home at night and left a bag of money at the door.

The money was used by the guy to arrange for one of his daughters to marry. The guy saw Saint Nicholas on his third visit and expressed his gratitude to him for his generosity. He is also said to have rescued the lives of three persons who had been wrongfully imprisoned and condemned to death.

Death and Legacy

Saint Nicholas is supposed to have died on December 6, 343 according to a number of different accounts. His miracles and charitable work for the poor expanded throughout the world as word of his miracles and charitable work for the destitute spread. He gained notoriety as a defender of children and seafarers, and he was also linked with the distribution of gifts. At least until the Reformation in the 1500s, he was a popular saint throughout Europe. The Reformation was a theological movement that resulted in the foundation of Protestantism, which rejected the practice of honoring religious figures such as saints.

• The Dutch continued to commemorate the feast of Saint Nicholas, which took place on December 6.
• They would find the presents that Saint Nicholas had left for them when they woke up the next morning.
• While in America, Saint Nicholas underwent several transformations: Sinterklaas became Santa Claus, and instead of presenting presents on December 6, he became an integral part of the Christmas season.
• Santa Claus, as seen in an 1881 painting by cartoonist Thomas Nast, contributed to the tradition of Saint Nicholas by donning a red outfit with white fur trim.
• In 2017, a team from the University of Oxford radiocarbon tested a piece of a pelvic bone that was thought to have belonged to Saint Nicholas.
• The results of the test indicated that the bone fragment, which belonged to an American priest, belonged to the saint’s time period.

Fact Check

We aim for accuracy and fairness in all we do. If you see something that doesn’t appear to be quite right, please let us know!

5 things to know and share about St. Nicholas

December 6, 2021, 6:00 a.m. at the Rome Newsroom In addition to being the patron saint of children, St. Nicholas, whose feast day is observed on December 6, is widely recognized as the real-life basis for the popular Christmas persona of Santa Claus. In the fourth century AD, Nicholas was bishop of Myra, a Greek city located in modern-day Turkey. Little is known about Nicholas’s life and times during this period. Many anecdotes and traditions, on the other hand, help to explain his reputation as a good and honest man, as a donor of generous gifts, and as a miracle worker.

1. Nicholas that you should know and share: 1.
2. Nicholas being the patron saint of children?
3. Nicholas is the patron saint of children, but they may not be aware of the significance of this designation.
4. With his miracle-working skills, the good bishop brought back to life the pickled children and saved them from an unthinkable fate.
5. The public domain is a term used to describe a piece of property that is owned by the public.
6. Some individuals feel that representations of Bishop Nicholas with the three boys were responsible for his image as a child advocate and defender.
7. 2.

Because he is revered by both Catholics and Orthodox Christians, St.

The Russian Orthodox Church, however, considers him to be extremely significant, and he is known as St.

Nicholas is mostly revered among Orthodox Christians for his virtues as a holy bishop and a faithful shepherd of his flock.

These are Mary, the Mother of God, John the Forerunner (also known to Catholics as John the Baptist), and St.

Nicholas did not leave any theological works behind him, but when he was elevated to the position of bishop, he is recorded with saying, “This dignity and this office need a new usage, in order that one should no longer live for oneself but for others.” 3.

Because of his widespread popularity among Orthodox Christians, St.

But don’t be shocked if you don’t notice any “round little belly” or “merry dimples” among the hundreds of icons picturing him that have been created.

St.

It is in the public domain.

Nicholas is also the patron saint of those who are unmarried, fishermen, pawnbrokers, and those who have been wrongfully accused.

The girls’ father was unable to give adequate dowries for their marriages, and if they did not have spouses to support them, they could have been forced to turn to prostitution to maintain themselves. (The rest of the story follows below.)

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

Our staff at Catholic News Agency is dedicated to telling the truth with bravery, honesty, and a strong commitment to our religious beliefs. News about the Church and the world, as viewed through the lens of Catholic doctrine, is provided by us. When you sign up for the CNA UPDATE, we’ll send you a daily email with links to the news you need to know about, as well as breaking news when it happens, if any. Because you are receiving this free service, you may get occasional offers from EWTN News and EWTN.

• Once he became aware of the situation, Nicholas quietly slid a bag of gold money through the family’s bedroom window while they were still sleeping.
• Nicholas, on the other hand, forced him to agree to keep the secret.
• According to this tradition, the three bags of cash are shown as three golden balls in St.
• Images of gold balls used to be used to identify the locations of pawnbrokers’ establishments, which is possibly how Nicholas came to be designated as their patron saint.
• It is in the public domain.
• Nicholas is credited with several miracles, one of which occurred as he was traveling by boat to the Holy Land in the year 335.
• His support for the wrongly accused may be traced back to a story from his childhood about rescuing three innocent men from death just minutes before they were executed.

5.

Nicholas.

St.

Some historians believe the relics were stolen, while others believe they were moved in order to protect the saint’s bones from being destroyed by Turks.

Nicholas in Bari, regardless of what happened to them.

During his travels in 2018 and 2020, he made a pit stop at the basilica’s crypt to pay his respects to St Nicholas’ remains.

As well as a tomb for St.

The primary feast day of St.

That morning, in the Basilica of St.

Bari Catholics will commemorate the adored saint with a Mass, concerts, and a procession of the saint’s statue through the streets of the city on December 6.

Hannah Brockhaus is a senior Rome journalist for the Catholic News Agency (CNA). She grew raised in Omaha, Nebraska, and graduated from Truman State University in Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in English.

St. Nicholas – Saints & Angels

Across history, St. Nicholas has been held in high regard, and the large number of altars and churches built in his honor throughout the world are testaments to his extraordinary holiness and the splendor that he enjoys with God in heaven. As an episcopal post became available due to the closure of his boyhood church, the holy Nicholas was appointed bishop, and throughout his tenure as bishop, he became well-known for his exceptional devotion and enthusiasm, as well as for his numerous miraculous occurrences.

• Saint Nicholas is reported to have died at Myra and been buried in the cathedral dedicated to him.
• Nicholas’ episcopate in Myra during the fourth century appears to be the only thing that appears to be unquestionably legitimate.
• Methodius, Patriarch of Constantinople, who died in 847 and is commemorated in the church’s calendar.
• “Nikolaos of Myra” was a fourth-century saint and Greek bishop of the city of Myra who was also known as “Nikolaos of Myra.” Nicholas was born as an only child to Christian parents in Asia Minor under the Roman Empire.
• In accordance with the canons, Nicholas would only have food once a day on Wednesdays and Fridays, and that would be in the evening.

While being cared after by the church, he gained greater clarity of thought and increased his desire for genuine and authentic religion.” While still a young man, his parents sadly perished during an epidemic, leaving him financially secure but with the responsibility of being reared by his uncle, the Bishop of Patara.

• Soon after, an opportunity presented itself for St.
• Patara resident had lost all of his money and needed to maintain his three daughters, who were unable to find spouses because of their poverty.
• The man’s residence had an open window, and Nicholas learned of this and got a bag of gold and tossed it through the open window in the middle of the night.
• When the second and third time came around, Nicholas repeated his actions for the father, who recognized his benefactor and expressed his thanks to Nicholas in overwhelming fashion.
• In the city of Myra, when the clergy and people of the province were convening to elect a new bishop, St.

There were persecutions at the beginning of the fourth century, and this occurred during that time “Because he was the chief priest of the Christians in this town and preached the truths of faith in a spirit of holy liberty, the divine Nicholas was apprehended by the magistrates, tortured, then chained and thrown into prison, along with a large number of other believers.

• Methodius claims that “thanks to the teaching of St.
• Nicholas’ presence at the Council of Nicaea in 325.
• Nicholas was not only present at the Council of Nicaea in 325, but that he even lost himself long enough to smack the heresiarch Arius in the face.
• St.
• He served as the people’s protector in both temporal and spiritual matters.
• Nicholas arrived at the location where the captives were to be executed at the scheduled hour, stayed the executioner’s hands, and freed the inmates.
• The presence of St.

After they returned to Constantinople, the prefect Ablavius’ jealousy caused them to be imprisoned on bogus accusations and an order for their execution was obtained from the Emperor Constantine, who ordered their execution.

At midnight the same night, St.

The following morning, the Emporor and the prefect exchanged notes, and the condemned men were apprehended and interrogated in their prison cells.

Since the time of St.

Nicholas, and it was also the only item that was well known about him at the time of St.

There are no conflicting stories of St.

In the eleventh century, an unknown Greek author stated that “Both the West and the East have praised and extolled his virtues.

Images of him are erected, panegyrics are preached, and festivals are held in his honor.

And his benefits, which have no time limit and last from generation to generation, are poured out across the entire world; the Scythians, as well as the Indians and barbarians, the Africans and the Italians, are all aware of his generosity.” When Myra and her vast shrine were ultimately captured by the Saracens, numerous Italian cities viewed this as a chance to obtain the relics of St.

1. Between Venice and Bari, there was fierce competition for their services.
2. The remains of St.
3. The relics were housed in a new church, which was dedicated in the presence of Pope Bd.
4. St.

When the bishop’s body was embalmed in excellent ointments of virtue at Myra, “a sweet-smelling myrrh poured forth from it, which protected it from decomposition and proved to be a health-giving medicine against sickness to the glory of him who had exalted Jesus Christ, our true God,” Although the relics were moved, this phenomena continued, and the “manna of St.

• There were several major attractions that brought travelers to his grave from all across Europe, and it was one of the most popular.
• Nicholas appears on Byzantine seals more frequently than any other figure in the history of the world.
• Hello there, readers.
• We know it’s a little embarrassing to ask, but we really need your assistance.
• We are not salespeople, but we rely on donations, which average $14.76 and are made by less than one percent of our readers each month.
• Thank you very much.
• St.
• Most likely, the first of these patronages is a result of the mythology that during his lifetime, he appeared to storm-tossed seafarers who called out to him off the coast of Lycia and brought them safely to port.
• Nicholas” and wished one another a safe voyage with the phrase “May St.

Nicholas.” In addition to his patronage of children and the various observances, both ecclesiastical and secular, associated with it, such as the boy bishop and, in particular, the giving of gifts in his name at Christmas, the legend of the “three children” has been attributed to him by various historians and scholars.

• Saint Nicholas, also known as Santa Claus, was popularized in America by the Dutch Protestants of New Amsterdam, who transformed the pope into a Nordic magician (Santa Claus = Sint Klaes = Saint Nicholas), and it was introduced to this nation by Bret Harte.
• St.
• The most widespread veneration of St.
• He shares the title of patron saint of the nation with St.
• The patron saint of several cities and dioceses (including Galway), as well as a large number of churches, includes Greece, Apulia, Sicily, and Loraine, among other places.
• Nicholas in the Jail of Tully (in Carcere) in Rome was built between the end of the sixth century and the beginning of the seventh century, according to historical records.
• St.

Consequently, he does not have a specific date of canonization, but rather records of him exist in a gradual spread until his stories became well-known and celebrated throughout the world. The feast day of St. Nicholas is celebrated on December 6.

The History of How St. Nicholas Became Santa Claus

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out where Santa Claus comes from: the North Pole. His historical excursion, on the other hand, is both lengthier and more amazing than his yearly, one-night round of the world. A mythology of Santa Claus developed across northern Europe, and he ultimately took on his current appearance on the coasts of the New World, where he was born in the Mediterranean during the Roman Empire. Who is this progenitor of Santa Claus, and how has he changed over history? For further information, see “Christmas in July—Inside a Santa Summer Camp.”

Jolly Old St. Nicholas?

Every year on December 6, the faithful gather in towns all over the world to commemorate St. Nicholas Day, with the major celebrations taking place in Europe. While there are many different depictions of St. Nicholas, none of them look anything like the red-cheeked, white-bearded elderly guy who may be found everywhere today. Modern forensic face reconstruction techniques were used to produce one of the most striking depictions of the genuine St. Nick, who lived in the third and fourth centuries and lived in the third and fourth centuries.

• Nicholas’s remains continues to this day, but it has long been believed that the bones of the Greek bishop were stolen by Italian sailors during the 11th century and transported to the crypt of the Basilica di San Nicola on the Italian coast’s southeast coast.
• ” Could the Remains of Santa Claus Be in This Turkish Church?” (For speculations on other probable resting sites for St.
• Wilkinson gave Santa’s original namesake a human face, one with a terribly damaged nose, which may have occurred during the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, according to historical accounts.
• Two-dimensional data was used to reconstruct the size and shape of the facial muscles that originally covered Nicholas’s skull, and three-dimensional data from two-dimensional data was used to reconstruct the shape of Nicholas’s skull itself.

When working from photographs, Wilkinson admits that “we are bound to have lost some of the level of detail you would get from working from life,” but he believes that “this is the closest we are ever going to get to him.” The project’s feature film, The Real Face of Santa, which aired on BBC Two, was a documentary about the project.

From bishop to gift giver

How did this St. Nicholas become the bringer of Christmas presents from the North Pole, where he now resides? The first saint was a Greek who lived in the late third century, approximately 280 A.D., and was martyred. He was elevated to the position of bishop of Myra, a tiny Roman town in modern Turkey. However, during the Great Persecution in 303, when Bibles were burned and priests were forced to recant their Christian beliefs or face execution, Nicholas gained a reputation as a fiery, wiry and uncompromising supporter of church teaching.

1. Nicholas’s renown lasted for a long time after his death (which occurred on December 6 in the mid-fourth century, about 343) because he was linked with several miracles, and veneration for him continues to this day, regardless of whether or not it is associated with Christmas.
2. Nicholas rose to prominence among the saints as a result of his role as patron saint of a large number of organizations.
3. During the most well-known version of the story, three young girls are spared from a life of prostitution when young Bishop Nicholas sends three bags of gold to their indebted father, which may be used to pay for their dowries.
4. Nicholas walked into an inn whose keeper had recently murdered three lads and pickled their mutilated remains in cellar barrels.
5. Not only did the bishop detect the crime, but he also brought the victims back to life.
6. Nicholas was the undisputed bringer of presents and the toast of celebrations centered on his feast day, December 6, and he was never challenged.
7. He also made certain that the children stayed on the right side of the law by encouraging them to pray and demonstrate good behavior.
8. “That was an issue,” Bowler said.
9. Bowler stated that, in many situations, the responsibility rested on the shoulders of infant Jesus, and the date was changed from December 6 to Christmas.

Consequently, the Christ child was frequently accompanied by a frightening companion to assist him with the carrying of gifts and intimidating of children, which did not seem suitable coming from the infant Jesus.” Some of these frightening Germanic creatures were modeled on Nicholas once more, this time as a dangerous sidekick rather than as a saint, like Ru-klaus (Rough Nicholas), Aschenklas (Ashy Nicholas), and Pelznickel (Pelznickel) were (Furry Nicholas).

This group of personalities either expected youngsters to behave well or subjected them to punishments such as whippings or kidnappings.

Despite their apparent dissimilarity to the cheerful guy in red, these vibrant figures would eventually play an important role in the formation of Santa himself. (This is related to: “What Is the Meaning of Krampus? The Horrific Christmas Devil is explained in detail “) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

Coming to America

In the Netherlands, children and families just refused to give up the tradition of St. Nicholas bringing gifts. They transported the tale of Sinterklaas with them to the New World colonies, where the legends of the hairy and terrifying Germanic gift bringers persisted as well. However, Christmas in early America was very different from the present celebration. In New England, the event was avoided, and in other parts of the country, it had taken on the appearance of the pagan Saturnalia that had formerly held the same spot on the calendar.

• And there was no specific, mystical gift-giver who appeared.” Then, during the first decades of the nineteenth century, everything changed owing to a group of poets and authors who worked hard to make Christmas a family celebration—by renewing and rebuilding the figure of St.
• Nickerbocker’s History of New York, written by Washington Irving in 1809, depicted a pipe-smoking Nicholas floating above the roofs in a flying wagon, giving presents to good girls and boys and switching presents with bad ones.
• With this apparition, “Santa Claus” has made his public debut, according to Bowler.
• Nicholas’ supernatural gift-giving, which has been stripped of all religious qualities.
• Originally written for his six children, Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit From St.
• Moore had no intention of contributing to the burgeoning Santa Claus myth.
• “It went viral,” Bowler said of the video.
• The photograph, which Bowler described as “absolutely the likeness of George Washington riding on a broomstick,” was taken by him.
• Santa’s cheery, chubby, grandfatherly look was mostly conceived by Thomas Nast, the renowned political cartoonist of an era in which there were many of them.

According to Bowler, “He’s done an excellent job of taming these characters from the late medieval period that were like something out of a Grimm’s Fairy Tale.”

The Santa problem

Despite the fact that he obviously has the best of intentions, Santa has certainly sparked, and continues to spark, more than his fair share of controversy. In Russia, Santa Claus came into conflict with Joseph Stalin. Before the Russian Revolution, Grandfather Frost (Ded Moroz) was a popular Christmas figure who had taken on aspects of proto-Santas such as the Dutch Sinterklaas and adapted them to the Russian context. “When the Soviet Union was established, the communists prohibited the celebration of Christmas as well as the practice of gift giving,” Bowler explained.

Christmas was not replaced in Russia, and Soviet attempts to promote a secular version of Grandfather Frost, replete with a blue coat to avoid confusion with Santa, throughout Europe were eventually unsuccessful.

In the years immediately following World War II, American forces took their version of the cheerful guy across the world, and he was widely welcomed, according to Bowler, as a symbol of American generosity in reconstructing war-torn regions.

Santa is sometimes turned away because he is not a native speaker of the language.” Anti-Santa movements are quite strong in countries such as the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Austria, and Latin America, all of which are attempting to retain their original Christmas gift givers and rituals while protecting them from the North American Santa “he explained.

The information in this story has been updated.

St. Nicholas, Patron Saint of Bakers and Brides and Children

Nicholas was born in Asia Minor, in modern day Turkey, then in the Roman Empire. He was the only child of Christian parents. The child, watched over by his family and the Christian community, became very religious. His parents died during an outbreak of plague when he was very young. His uncle, the Bishop of Patara, became his guardian. Nicholas was left a considerable sum of money by his parents, which he gave away to a poor man and his family. With this act of charity, Nicholas saved the man’s three daughters from a life of prostitution. Nicholas gave the money secretly, and he would leave a bag of money for the poor family at night, who never discovered who their benefactor was. St Nicholas was widely loved for his charity throughout his life.Nicholas moved to the city of Myra in modern Turkey. Because of his piety and charity, he was elected as bishop by the Christians, as was the custom at that time. During the persecution by the pagan emperor Galerius, Nicholas was arrested and thrown in prison. Nicholas’ life was in great danger. However, after Constantine the Great’s victory over Galerius, Nicholas was released from prison with the other Christians, and returned to his duties as Bishop.Nicholas was an able bishop, and led the local Christians and ensured that they were not tainted by any of the heresies that were so common in the period. According to some traditions, the saint attended the Council of Nicaea and helped draw up the Nicene Creed that is still central to Catholic theology.Nicholas was a zealous missionary, and helped convert many pagans in remote areas of Asia Minor. He was also tireless in the pursuit of justice, and in one instance saved three condemned men from execution.The accounts all agree that St. Nicholas died and was buried in the city of Myra. St Nicholas became a much loved saint, and there are churches and altars dedicated to him all over the Christian World from India to Ireland.Today his relics rest in the Basilica of Bari in southern Italy.In the eastern Orthodox Church, it is widely believed that St. Nicholas appears to sailors during storms at sea and guides them to safety.In the western Catholic Churches, St. Nicholas is associated with the giving of gifts at Christmas time because of his many charitable works. He is widely believed to have been the inspiration for Father Christmas and Santa Claus.Nicholas believed that charity was essential for every Christian -when we are charitable, we are imitating Christ.He said that “The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimicHis giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves.”St. Nicholas is still a beloved saint around the world.

Did You Know? Patron Saints For 50 States: New York City, NY – St. Nicholas

Catholic Christians pray for the intercession of the saints in heaven, so that they may intercede on our behalf on our behalf in the presence of the Lord. Saints are able to intercede on our behalf and present to God the prayers of individuals who live on this planet. Patron saints are revered as the heavenly champions and special intercessors for a wide variety of things, even whole countries. Is it clear who you should pray to if you wish to ask for a specific intercession on behalf of your country or state?

1. Many individuals resorted to their religious beliefs to help them get through that difficult period in our country, and we all prayed for healing and understanding.
2. Nicholas was a patron saint of children, mariners, and merchants, among other things.
3. Nicholas from 1916 until the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
4. New Yorkers have stopped to the church for years to light a candle, say a prayer, or simply sit silently, but everything changed on September 11, 2001.
5. Fortunately, no one was inside the church at the time of its destruction.
6. Construction was delayed for several years, but in July 2010, fragments of an 18th-century ship were discovered on the site of the former St.
7. Because St.
8. Following September 11, 2001, individuals have continued to turn to their religious beliefs and saints for solace.
9. Nicholas was revered as a ‘confessor,’ someone who openly confessed Christ in the face of persecution, remaining loyal through incarceration, torture, or exile, as was the case with him.
10. St.

Visit www.stnicholaswtc.org for additional information about the restoration of the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine in New York City’s Times Square.

A patron saint for children: St. Nicholas- The Arlington Catholic Herald

St. Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 6th (died c.350) The feast day is on December 6th. There may be an entire book devoted only to the clients of children’s establishments. It is possible that this is due to the fact that children and teenagers are the most vulnerable members of the human family that more saints have been appointed to watch over them than any other group. As the patron saint of children, St. Nicholas, who was born in the 4th century in Myra and is considered one of the most beloved saints of all time, has had the longest history.

• His cult is still strong in the Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church as well as in the Orthodox Church, but in the Western Church, St.
• Since the mid-19th century, and notably in the United States, St.
• It’s difficult to take someone who is characterized as “a great merry old elf” seriously while praying to him.
• Nicholas came to be associated with Santa Claus would take far too much time, but interested readers can find the story laid out in two excellent books: Charles W.
• Nicholas was born into a Christian family in the ancient city of Patara, which is now part of Turkey.

Despite the fact that his name does not appear on the earliest lists of bishops who attended the Council of Nicaea, a strong tradition among the Greeks maintains that he was present and even smacked Arius across the face when the heretic dared to assert that God the Son is less important than God the Father.

The most popular and well-known narrative about St.

Their father had lost his money, and with it, any prospect of giving dowries for his daughters.

Nicholas tossed sacks of gold coins through an open window of the impoverished family’s house, rescuing them from their plight and the danger of having to support themselves as prostitutes.

After a long period of expansion, the Seljuk Turks began invading the territory of the Byzantine Empire in the 11th century.

Nicholas’ tomb, had fallen into the hands of the Muslims.

Nicholas should be in the possession of an adversary nation.

The relics of St.

It is customary among the Austrians, Germans, Swiss, Belgians, and Dutch to present modest gifts and candies to children on St.

Craughwell is the author of Saints Behaving Badly and This Saint Will Change Your Life, among other works of fiction. Arlington Catholic Herald (Arlington, VA) 2015