St. Nicholas (c. 271–350)
St. Nicholas was most likely born in Asia Minor, to wealthy Christian parents. As a young man, he offered his inheritance to the poor. Many legends bear witness to his generous nature. One involves three young girls. Their father, a nobleman, lost all his money. Without a dowry, the girls were doomed to slavery.
Troubled over their fate, Nicholas devised a plan. One night, while the family slept, he tossed gold through the window of their home. Some of the gold landed in a stocking hung by the hearth to dry, hence the custom of Christmas stockings. The gold became the dowry for the three girls.
Nicholas became a priest, and later bishop of Myra, a rather lowly diocese in that region. He was known for his piety, his hard work, and his miracles. During the persecution of the Christians under the Emperor Diocletian, he was imprisoned. Nicholas was at the Council of Nicaea, where he denounced Arianism.
Several miracles have been attributed to Nicholas. He may have restored to life three children who had been killed by an innkeeper, chopped up, and pickled in brine. Other miracles attest to his care for those at sea.
Figure 6-2: St. Nicholas
When he was a young priest sailing on a boat to Jerusalem, Nicholas warned the sailors of a severe storm approaching. But he added, “Don't be afraid. Trust in God because he will protect you from death.” The storm came, and one sailor fell overboard. His body was recovered, but the sailor had died. When Nicholas prayed the stormy waters became smooth. Then, he blessed the dead sailor, who awoke to life, completely uninjured.
Fact
Candy canes are a reminder of St. Nicholas, as their shape resembles a bishop's staff. Likewise, gingerbread men used to be made to resemble bishops, and cookie stamps can still be purchased to decorate baked goods with the seal of St. Nicholas.
The exact year of Nicholas's death is unknown. In the eleventh century, Italian soldiers are said to have stolen his body, probably from Turkey, and moved it to Bari, Italy, where his relics remain. Devotion to St. Nicholas remains strong, particularly within Eastern Orthodox churches, which introduced Nicholas to Germany around 980.
From there his fame spread throughout Western Europe, where many churches are named after him; in England alone a few hundred churches bore his name before the Reformation. Celebrations of his December 6 feast day take place in many parts of the world. In the ninth century the first pope to bear his name dedicated a basilica to St. Nicholas.
St. Nicholas is said to be the only saint equally venerated by all Christian denominations. He is a busy patron, as well: of Greece, Russia, brides, children, merchants, dockworkers, travelers, bakers, brewers, prisoners, sailors, as well as pawnbrokers and prostitutes.
What was Asia Minor?
Asia Minor was once roughly the size of today's Turkey. It was the site of some of the earliest Christian communities, such as Smyrna and Ephesus. The churches of Asia Minor began to fade in importance in the fourth century, giving way to Antioch, Constantinople, and Alexandria.
Many traditions surround St. Nicholas:
In Aruba and the Netherlands on the eve of St. Nicholas Day, children leave a bucket of water and a shoe filled with hay for the horse of “Sinterklaas,” who arrives with his helper, “Zwarte Piet.” If children have been good, the shoes will be filled with gifts in the morning, but if not, Zwarte Piet might load the children into his sack and carry them back to Spain.
In France, St. Nicholas comes to particular regions on his feast day. The grandparents tell the children stories about the saint, and they leave their shoes out and sing a song to him. Unfortunately, St. Nicholas is followed by Pere Fouettard, who threatens the children with spankings.
Although Russia has celebrated St. Nicholas Day since at least the eleventh century, under Communism St. Nicholas became known as Grandfather Frost and his attire changed from red to blue. Still, in many pockets of Russia, devotion to the saint has remained strong. According to one Russian proverb, “If anything happens to God, we've always got Saint Nicholas.”
In England, an old tradition of “The Boy of Nicholas Bishop” has been restored to some parishes. A young boy will be selected from the choir. When the choir sings certain words from the Magnificat — “ He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and lifted up the lowly” — the young boy, dressed in full bishop regalia, will proceed to the bishop's chair, asking God's blessing for the people.
In the Czech Republic, St. Nicholas Day remains extremely popular. St. Nicholas is lowered down to earth on a heavy golden cord by the angels. He travels with a devil (who snatches bad children away) and an angel, who pleads on their behalf.
In Austria, St. Nicholas travels with a frightening creature named Krampus. Krampus comes dressed in fur, adorned with chains and a devilish look, complete with red tongue. He scolds ill-behaved children.
In Bulgaria, the autumn fishing season ends on the feast of St. Nicholas (or Nikulden). On Nikulden, a special fish dish is baked with two loaves of bread. It is then blessed at home or church before being left out for friends and neighbors to share.
In Croatia, the children polish their boots and then leave them on windowsills for St. Nicolas to fill. St. Nicholas comes with his strong man, Krampus, who leaves twigs for every child. The largest twigs are reserved for the worst behaved children.
EXTRA
At the first Ecumenical Council at Nicaea, St. Nicholas apparently became enraged at Arius and punched him in the nose. For this, he temporarily lost his bishopric and was cast into prison. He was released and restored to his bishopric after a vision compelled the other bishopsto set him free.
