Thing Two asked about Saint Nicholas today over lunch. They wanted to know the origins of St. Nick and how it got changed into Santa Claus. Here's a link we read over, but the highlights are:- born during the third century
- he was born in what is now the Southern coast of Turkey
- born of wealthy parents
- both died, when he was young, during an epidemic
- he believed in selling off what he owned, giving to the poor, and following Christ example
- Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, he suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned
- so many Christians were persecuted, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers
- after his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325
- he died December 6, AD 343
- anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th
- three daughters, of a poor man, needed dowries. It is believed that St. Nick gave bags of gold for each girl to cover the dowry; it is from this legend that some believed a gold ball was used, at times ~ from here oranges were put in the stockings drying on the hearth
- another tells of Basilio being kidnapped during the festival honoring St. Nicholas and being used the rulers cup bearer because he didn't know the language. Basilio's parents prayed for his safe return. It is believed that St. Nick returned Basilio, on the eve of the next festival, in Myra with the rulers cup still in his hands
- "Today he is venerated in the East as wonder, or miracle worker and in the West as patron of a great variety of persons-children, mariners, bankers, pawn-brokers, scholars, orphans, laborers, travelers, merchants, judges, paupers, marriageable maidens, students, children, sailors, victims of judicial mistakes, captives, perfumers, even thieves and murderers! He is known as the friend and protector of all in trouble or need.
Info used from: St. Nicholas Center Copyright © 2002-2012 St. Nicholas Center
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