A swarm of earthquakes shakes Iceland. [39], In 2017, two researchers from Oxford University, Professor Tom Higham and Doctor Georges Kazan, radiocarbon dated a fragment of a pelvis claimed to belong to Saint Nicholas. But he was not Santa Claus, and he arrived earlier – on the 6th of December. Basil was known for his care for the poor and underprivileged, and was extremely generous. [22] Michael the Archimandrite also tells another story in which the consul Ablabius accepted a bribe to put three famous generals to death, in spite of their actual innocence. "You still love your kids, but now who is going to bring them the gifts? [39], In 2004, at the University of Manchester, researchers Caroline Wilkinson and Fraco Introna reconstructed the saint's face based on Martino's examination. It is not to be confused with. The depictions of Saint Nicholas are a bit of a hybrid between a bishop and the secular modern "Santa," but as the images are so simple, it is not going to be confusing for young Catholics - he looks similar enough to, say, the Shining Light dolls version to make sense to young children. The remaining bone fragments from the sarcophagus were later removed by Venetian sailors and taken to Venice during the First Crusade. [56] Eventually, the scene became so widely reproduced that, rather than showing the whole scene, artists began to merely depict Saint Nicholas with three naked children and a wooden barrel at his feet. [85][101][69] The bone was one of the oldest the Oxford team had ever examined. Many believe that it houses the mortal remains and holy relics of St. Nicholas. The Crosiers Share 7. The Santa Claus legend begins with the story of St. Nicholas giving three bags of gold coins to a destitute father for the dowries of his three teenage daughters so they wouldn’t have to be sold into prostitution. But after the Protestant Reformation began in the 1500s, saints like Nicholas fell out of favor across much of northern Europe. With Matthew Mesler, Michael Dentico, Jamie Elvey, Norm Sham. A children's Mass is still held on 6 December in the cathedral. [9] In one of the earliest attested and most famous incidents from his life, he is said to have rescued three girls from being forced into prostitution by dropping a sack of gold coins through the window of their house each night for three nights so their father could pay a dowry for each of them. Late, unsubstantiated legends claim that he was temporarily defrocked and imprisoned during the Council for slapping the heretic Arius. [75] The last time the bones were examined was in July 1992. The modern-day mythical character of Santa Claus is well-known for being a secret gift-giver. In the Netherlands and Belgium, St. Nicholas arrives on a steamship from Spain to ride a white horse delivering gifts to children. [10][11] Any writings Nicholas himself may have produced have been lost[12] and he is not mentioned by any contemporary chroniclers. Some countries celebrate St. Nicholas Day on … In 325, Nicholas is said to have attended the First Council of Nicaea,[15][22][49] where he is said to have been a staunch opponent of Arianism and devoted supporter of Trinitarianism,[50] and one of the bishops who signed the Nicene Creed. [104][105], Nicholas had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, a practice celebrated on his feast day, 6 December. In the United States, for example, tales of Saint Nicholas are often associated with Santa Claus. The episode with the three dowries is commemorated by showing him holding in his hand either three purses, three coins or three balls of gold. [90] This tradition was lent credence in two scientific investigations of the relics in Bari and Venice, which confirmed that the relics in the two cities are anatomically compatible and may belong to the same person. The story of Saint Nicholas’ elevation into bishop is remarkable. 7 Shares. Are volcanic eruptions next? [39] Martino took thousands of measurements, detailed scientific drawings, photographs, and x-rays. India’s Bharat Biotech says its COVID-19 vaccine is 81-percent effective. Stories about St. Nicholas spread from his home in Turkey up to Russia, where he is still a very popular saint. Stories about St. Nicholas were first told while he was living, as sailors already claimed him as their patron saint. Nicholas lived about 1700 years ago. In the first tale, a young Bishop Nicholas saves three young girls from a life of prostitution after secretly delivering three bags of gold to their father, who was in debt, to pay for their dowries. [60] Nicholas was the only major saint associated with that part of Turkey. St. Nicholas, of Myra or Bari is venerated in both the Latin and Greek calendar of Saints on December 6. All rights reserved. The origins of Texas’s proud independent streak, America's first investigative journalist got her start in an asylum, The forgotten first emancipation proclamation, Buried for 4,000 years, this ancient culture could expand the 'Cradle of Civilization', The untold story of the world’s fiercest tank battle, Oldest dog remains in Americas discovered in Alaska, Text messages capture heartbreaking goodbyes of COVID-19 victims, How do we know what ancient Greek warriors wore for battle? The original St. Nicholas was a real person -- a Greek man with a really interesting story. [44] Eustathius attempted to flee on his horse,[44] but Nicholas stopped his horse and chastised him for his corruption. [22] He also notes, however, that many of the stories recounted by Michael the Archimandrite closely resemble stories told about the first-century AD Neopythagorean philosopher Apollonius of Tyana in the Life of Apollonius of Tyana, an eight-volume biography of him written in the early third century by the Greek writer Philostratus. An early list makes him an attendee at the First Council of Nicaea in 325, but he is never mentioned in any writings by people who were actually at the council. Here's how it works, New drugs identified as possible tools to fight COVID-19, Watch the first-ever video of a spacecraft landing on Mars, The eccentric scientist behind the ‘gold standard’ COVID-19 test, Why kids need their own COVID-19 vaccine trials. [51] Nicholas's attendance at the Council of Nicaea is attested early by Theodore the Lector's list of attendees, which records him as the 151st attendee. Nicholas was born in modern day Turkey to a rather wealthy family. Such efforts seem unlikely to stop a growing interest in Santa Claus, but their organizers may save him a few stops on his busy Christmas Eve schedule. The story of Saint Nicholas in Romania shifts the narrative, because they’re the kind who want to have their cake and eat it, too. [46] Nicholas then made his dream appearances and the three generals were set free.[47]. [29], After his parents died, Nicholas is said to have distributed their wealth to the poor. Depending on whether he is depicted as patron saint of children or sailors, his images will be completed by a background showing ships, children or three figures climbing out of a wooden barrel (the three slaughtered children he resurrected). For the gift-bearing figure in modern folklore and popular culture, see, "Nicholas of Myra" redirects here. St Nicholas’s feast day is celebrated on December 5 in the Eastern Orthodox Church and December 6 in the Roman Catholic Church in the west. According to some accounts, his parents were named Epiphanius (Ἐπιφάνιος, Epiphánios) and Johanna (Ἰωάννα, Iōánna), but, according to others, they were named Theo… St Nicholas’s feast day is celebrated on December 5 in the Eastern Orthodox Church and December 6 in the Roman Catholic Church in the west. These are some of our favourite ways people celebrate the patron saint of children… St. Nicholas day parades. He was born in the Greek city of Patara on March 15, 270 CE and died on December 6, 343 CE. Feast of St. Nicholas on St. Nicholas Day (December 6) December 6 is the Feast of St. Nicholas. [46] The generals' enemies also bribed Ablabius and he had the three generals imprisoned. In cultures and countries across the globe, Saint Nick is central to the celebration—and commercialization—of Christmas. [16] The Byzantine historian Procopius also mentions that the Emperor Justinian I (ruled 527–565) renovated churches in Constantinople dedicated to Saint Nicholas and Saint Priscus,[17][16] which may have originally been built as early as c. Dutch colonists took this tradition with them to New Amsterdam (now New York City) in the American colonies in the 17th century. From that point on, Nicholas dedicated his life to helping the sick. [97], Whereas the devotional importance of relics and the economics associated with pilgrimages caused the remains of most saints to be divided up and spread over numerous churches in several countries, Saint Nicholas is unusual in that most of his bones have been preserved in one spot: his grave crypt in Bari. At the time, Christianity was illegal under the Roman empire. [41] According to Jona Lendering, this story directly parallels an earlier story in Philostratus's Life of Apollonius of Tyana, in which Apollonius prevents the execution of a man falsely condemned of banditry. The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara in Asia Minor. [17] The earliest complete account of Nicholas's life that has survived to the present is a Life of Saint Nicholas, written in the early ninth century by Michael the Archimandrite (814–842), nearly 500 years after Nicholas's probable death. "[22][31] The man could not afford proper dowries for his three daughters. [84], The sailors from Bari only took the main bones of Nicholas's skeleton, leaving all the minor fragments in the grave. Socks are fine, too. [94] This church, whose name means "Saint Nicholas in Chains", was built on the site of a former municipal prison. "That was problematic," Bowler said. Vials of myrrh from his relics have been taken all over the world for centuries, and can still be obtained from his church in Bari. Leaving out Shoes. Before there was the myth, there was the man. [36] Jona Lendering states that the story is "without any historical value. Sometimes he is depicted wearing the Eastern Orthodox mitre, sometimes he is bareheaded. You will visit beautiful Mediterranean locations and explore stunning archeological excavations. He dropped each bag down the chimney and into the stocking of one of the sisters. These figures expected good behavior or forced children to suffer consequences like whippings or kidnappings. Having twice the amount of presents can never be a bad thing, except if you’ve been naughty, because then you know what’s coming…twice! [40], The clergy at Bari strategically gave away samples of Nicholas's bones to promote the cult and enhance its prestige. Even up to the present day, a flask of manna is extracted from the tomb of Saint Nicholas every year on 6 December (the Saint's feast day) by the clergy of the basilica. St. Nicholas. His usual, less friendly escort If you want to know the truth, it’s a lot more fun learning the story of the real St. Nicholas, whose feast day is December 6th. According to these early medieval texts, Nicholas was born around 260 AD into a Christian family. [94] The town itself is now known as "Saint Nicolas de Port" in honor of Nicholas. Any kid can tell you where Santa Claus is from—the North Pole. ", Bowler said that, in many cases, that job fell to baby Jesus, and the date was moved to Christmas rather than December 6. Then my friend Stuart Bennett enlisted me as the academic resource to make a documentary video on his life—“St. [53], One story tells how during a terrible famine, a malicious butcher lured three little children into his house, where he killed them, placing their remains in a barrel to cure, planning to sell them off as ham. Patara was a vibrant coastal city on the southwest coast of Lycia, the Mediterranean coast of modern day Turkey. [22] Philostratus never mentions the fate of the daughters and, in his story, Apollonius's generosity is purely motivated out of sympathy for the father;[22] in Michael the Archimandrite's account, however, Saint Nicholas is instead expressly stated to be motivated by a desire to save the daughters from being sold into prostitution. Who is this ancestor of Santa, and how did he change over time? Ancestry travel on pause? "Then in the 1930s, when Stalin needed to build support, he allowed the reemergence of Grandfather Frost not as a Christmas gift bringer but as a New Year's gift bringer," Bowler added. Chocolate St. Nicholas figures; Spiced Speculaas Cookies; Windmill Speculaas Cookies; These St. Nicholas cookies even made Oprah’s Favorite List! Pam on December 5, 2015 at 3:51 pm Great post! His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, … The story of St. Nicholas began in the late 3rd century, approximately 270 AD, in the small village of Patara, Lycia; modern-day Turkey. How ancient astronomy mixed science with mythology, Video Story, Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright © 2015-2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. When the Dutch came to the New World in the 1600s, they brought a … A religious icon representing St. Nicholas. Nicholas was neither fat nor jolly but developed a reputation as a fiery, wiry, and defiant defender of church doctrine during the Great Persecution in 303, when Bibles were burned and priests made to renounce Christianity or face execution. Solar panels and batteries on your home could help prevent the next grid disaster, The origins of environmental justice—and why it’s finally getting the attention it deserves, The unintended environmental benefit of Cuba's isolation, Same force behind Texas deep freeze could drive prolonged heat waves. Nicholas travels to a village, in which he stops a baby from crying, and a girl named Megan talks for the first time. Santa's thin wagon was pulled by a single reindeer—but both driver and team would get a major makeover the next year. "Everywhere they went after World War II, the Soviets tried to replace the native gift bringers in places like Poland or Bulgaria," Bowler explained. Orangutans and bonobos at the San Diego Zoo have received a coronavirus vaccine, Nat Geo has learned, after some zoo gorillas tested positive in January. … [31][22][29][d] This meant that they would remain unmarried and probably, in absence of any other possible employment, be forced to become prostitutes. The saint did have a pious life and died on December the 6th, which is why we celebrate him on this day. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. [22], Accounts of Saint Nicholas's life agree on the essence of his story,[23] but modern historians disagree regarding how much of this story is actually rooted in historical fact. A contemporary of Nicholas, Basil was the bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, also in modern-day Turkey. Even with the allegedly continuing miracle of the manna, the archdiocese of Bari has allowed for one scientific survey of the bones. CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (, Wheeler & Rosenthal, "St Nicholas: A Closer Look at Christmas", (Chapter 1), Nelson Reference & Electronic, 2005, de Ceglia, Francesco Paolo: "The science of Santa Claus : discussions on the Manna of Nicholas of Myra in the modern age". [45] Eustathius, under the threat of being reported directly to the Emperor, repented of his corrupt ways. [58] Mothers would come to the church to pray to Saint Nicholas for their jailed sons to be released[58] and repentant criminals would place votive offerings in the church. [39] A special Pontiffical Commission permitted Luigi Martino, a professor of human anatomy at the University of Bari, to examine the bones under the Commission's supervision. And there was no particular, magical gift bringer.". Then, during the early decades of the 19th century, all that changed thanks to a series of poets and writers who strove to make Christmas a family celebration—by reviving and remaking St. Nicholas. Very little at all is known about Saint Nicholas's historical life. The (Short) Story Of Saint Nicholas Nicholas was a real person, born to wealthy parents in the fourth century in Lycia. For several hundred years, circa 1200 to 1500, St. Nicholas was the unchallenged bringer of gifts and the toast of celebrations centered around his feast day, December 6. This story has been updated. [95][69], An Irish tradition states that the relics of Saint Nicholas are also reputed to have been stolen from Myra by local Norman crusading knights in the twelfth century and buried near Thomastown, County Kilkenny, where a stone slab marks the site locally believed to be his grave. The original saint was a Greek born in the late third century, around 280 A.D. "[48] Jona Lendering defends the historicity of the incident, arguing that, because it was embarrassing and reflects poorly on Nicholas's reputation, it is inexplicable why later hagiographers would have made it up. Nicholas rose to prominence among the saints because he was the patron of so many groups. "That's what it had become in England as well. But his historical journey is even longer and more fantastic than his annual, one-night circumnavigation of the globe. According to one source, in medieval times nuns used the night of 6 December to deposit baskets of food and clothes anonymously at the doorsteps of the needy. [c] Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, repentant thieves, prostitutes, children, brewers, pawnbrokers, unmarried people, and students in various cities and countries around Europe. "Filipov, David. Though he undoubtedly means well, Santa has certainly stirred up, and continues to create, more than his fair share of controversy. [61] The remains arrived on 9 May 1087. [64], A solemn bronze statue of the saint by Russian sculptor Gregory Pototsky was donated by the Russian government in 2000, and was given a prominent place in the square fronting the medieval Church of St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas, also known as "Nikolaos of Myra," was a fourth century saint and Greek bishop of Myra. Demi's gilded artwork brings Nicholas to life in a way sure to mesmerize readers new to the story of this fascinating and important historical figure. [109] St. Nicholas Park, located at the intersection of St. Nicholas Avenue and 127th Street, in an area originally settled by Dutch farmers, is named for St. Nicholas of Myra. "But the infant's carrying capacity is very limited, and he's not very scary either," Bowler said. Protestant Reformation began in the 1500s, "Who Is Krampus? [58] An index finger claimed to belong to Saint Nicholas was kept in a chapel along the Ostian Way in Rome. This vibrant sanctuary underscores the stakes. He is the protector of many types of people, from orphans to sailors to prisoners. Christmas in July—Inside a Santa Summer Camp. Thanks for writing this post! 450 butterfly species rapidly declining due to warmer autumns in the western U.S. Tree of heaven is a hellish invasive species. The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in Patara, a village in what is now Turkey. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of Russia and Greece, of a number of cities, and of sailors and children, among many other groups, and was noted for his generosity. How did this St. Nicholas turn into the North Pole-dwelling bringer of Christmas gifts? Saint Nicholas Center: Who is Saint Nicholas? Yet the character has proved an enduring icon of Christmas. [61] Taking advantage of the confusion and the loss by the Greek Christian community of Myra of its Byzantine imperial protection, in the spring of 1087, Italian sailors from Bari in Apulia seized part of the remains of the saint from his burial church in Myra, over the objections of the Greek Orthodox monks in the church. [32] Unbeknownst to the generals, who were in the harbor, their soldiers further inland were fighting with local merchants and engaging in looting and destruction. This in-demand plant is evolving to hide from its predator—humans, These widely used insecticides may be a threat to mammals too, Oil drilling on sensitive New Mexico public lands puts drinking water, rare caves at risk. [22][29][33], According to Michael the Archimandrite's account, after the second daughter was married, the father stayed awake for at least two "nights" and caught Saint Nicholas in the same act of charity toward the third daughter. Flooding in 2001 near Jiroft, Iran, exposed the ruins of an ancient necropolis from a Bronze Age culture that flourished alongside Mesopotamia. Could the Remains of Santa Claus Be in This Turkish Church? As the Can Mata landfill expands in Catalonia, paleontologists are uncovering the bones of ancient species that are the precursors to apes—and us. Explaining the Horrific Christmas Devil."). In centuries of Greek folklore, Nicholas was seen as "The Lord of the Sea", often described by modern Greek scholars as a kind of Christianized version of Poseidon. Using frozen drums, horns, and harps, an emerging art form takes its cues from nature. ", "Heritage Conservation Plan: Newtown Jerpoint County Kilkenny", "Anatomical Examination of the Bari Relics", "Feasts and Saints, Commemorated on May 9", "Saint Nicolas / Op. [98] In the late 1950s, while the crypt was undergoing much-needed restoration, the bones were removed from it for the first time since their interment in 1089. [48][54] He tells them he is imprisoned "for loving you"[48] and they free him from his chains and restore his vestments. Christmas, Saint Nicholas and Father Christmas bringing presents for the children, extreme extraordinary illustration with both, scrap-picture, Germany, circa 1910. When they arrived later in the capital, they made a surprising find: the weight of the load had not changed, although the wheat removed in Myra was enough for two full years and could even be used for sowing. Sadly, both of his parents soon got sick and died. After the Reformation, devotion to Nicholas disappeared in all the Protestant countries of Europe except Holland, where his legend persisted as Sinterklaas (a Dutch variant of the name St. Nicholas). "However, Nast did leave him half-sized," Bowler added, "and in what I think are rather indecent long johns.". The sailors at first disliked the request, because the wheat had to be weighed accurately and delivered to the Emperor. Nicholas lived about 1700 years ago. Other early stories tell of him calming a storm at sea, saving three innocent soldiers from wrongful execution, and chopping down a tree possessed by a demon. Because of the many wars in the region, some Christians were concerned that access to the tomb might become difficult. These stories reveal St. Nicholas’ character; the story of a man who embodied love—love for God and care for people. https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/2008/august/real-saint-nicholas.html St. Nicholas, also known as "Nikolaos of Myra," was a fourth century saint and Greek bishop of Myra. "We are bound to have lost some of the level of detail you would get by working from photographs, but we believe this is the closest we are ever going to get to him," Wilkinson said in the BBC Two feature film of the project entitled The Real Face of Santa. In his youth, he is said to have made a pilgrimage to Egypt and Palestine. As you wait for Santa to come down your chimney tonight, browse through these images of Old Saint Nick from the National Geographic photo archive. In fact, the actual story of Saint Nicholas has many blanks and few certainties. When the Dutch came to the New World in the 1600s, they brought a … While there is a bit of an absence of what could be called “hard facts” on the history of Saint Nicholas, there is no denial of his popularity. [13] Furthermore, all written records were kept on papyrus or parchment, which were less durable than modern paper,[14] and texts needed to be periodically recopied by hand onto new material in order to be preserved. Santa remains a politicized figure around the world. "'It was celebrated as a kind of outdoor, alcohol-fueled, rowdy community blowout," Bowler said. [58] Stories quickly developed about Nicholas himself having been held in that prison. [29][55] Nicholas, visiting the region to care for the hungry, saw through the butcher's lies[29][56] and resurrected the pickled children by making the Sign of the Cross. [12] Adam C. English notes that lists of the attendees at Nicaea vary considerably, with shorter lists only including roughly 200 names, but longer lists including around 300. Santa Claus wasn't always "chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf. [15][16] However, he is conspicuously never mentioned by Athanasius of Alexandria, the foremost defender of Trinitarianism at the Council, who knew all the notable bishops of the period,[52] nor is he mentioned by the historian Eusebius, who was also present at the council. As the legend of St. Nicholas developed, that reputation stuck around. Saint Basil of Caesarea, who lived from A.D. 329-379, shares a very similar story to that of St. Nicholas. [113], In a strange twist, the three gold balls referring to the dowry affair are sometimes metaphorically interpreted as being oranges or other fruits. Learn about the traditions and celebrations of St. Nicholas Day Elementary and up More St. Nicholas Books You Might Like: A Gospel Christmas: Our Journey Connecting Santa and His Elf to the Story of our SaviorThe True Saint Nicholas: Why He Matters to ChristmasThe Real St. Nicholas: Tales of …
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