| Saint Nicholas | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Other Name |
Nicholas of Myra, Nicholas of Bari |
|
Born |
March 15, 270 |
|
Died |
December 6, 343 |
Origin[]
Saint Nicholas of Myra, also known as Nicholas of Bari, was an early Christian bishop of Greek descent from the maritime city of Patara in Anatolia (in modern-day Antalya Province, Turkey) during the time of the Roman Empire. Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, repentant thieves, children, brewers, pawnbrokers, toymakers, unmarried people, and students in various cities and countries around Europe. His reputation evolved among the pious, as was common for early Christian saints, and his legendary habit of secret gift-giving gave rise to the folklore of Santa Claus ("Saint Nick") through Sinterklaas.
Little is known about the historical Saint Nicholas. The earliest accounts of his life were written centuries after his death and probably contain legendary elaborations. He is said to have been born in the Anatolian seaport of Patara, Lycia, in Asia Minor to wealthy Christian parents. 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.
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. In his youth, he is said to have made a pilgrimage to Egypt and Syria Palaestina. Shortly after his return, he became Bishop of Myra. He was later cast into prison during the persecution of Diocletian, but was released after the accession of Constantine.
While in Palestine, Nicholas is said to have lived in a crypt near Bethlehem, where the Nativity of Jesus is believed to have taken place. Over the crypt where Nicholas is believed to have lived now stands the "Church of Saint Nicholas" in Beit Jala, a Christian town of which Nicholas is the Patron saint.
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.
Santa Claus evolved from Dutch traditions regarding Saint Nicholas (Sinterklaas). When the Dutch established the colony of New Amsterdam, they brought the legend and traditions of Sinterklaas with them. Howard G. Hageman, of New Brunswick Theological Seminary, maintains that the tradition of celebrating Sinterklaas in New York existed in the early settlements of the Hudson Valley, although by the early nineteenth century had fallen by the way. 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.
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
All published appearances of Saint Nicholas from before January 1, 1930 are public domain in the US.
Some notables appearances are listed below:
- Life of Apollonius of Tyana
- Life of Saint Nicholas
- A Visit from St. Nicholas (1823)
- Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed., 1911)
- The New Student's Reference Work (1914)
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1913)
- Russian Folk-Tales (1916)
- Our American Holidays - Christmas (1949)
Public Domain Comic Appearances[]
- Four Color #61, 126, 254 - Illustrated version of the 1823 poem by Clement Clarke Moore, sometimes titled "The Night Before Christmas."
- Santa Clause Parade - Included a history of the life of Saint Nicholas and how it translated into the legend of Santa Claus.
- Santa Claus Funnies #2 - 4 page adaptation of The Night Before Christmas.
- Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact v3 #8- Features a 2 page story entitled St. Nicholas the Christmas Saint.