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Saint Nicholas Day
A depiction of Saint Nicholas with his sack standing next to a Nativity Scene
Observed byAnglicanism, Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Lutheranism, Methodism, Reformed[1][2]
TypeChristian
SignificanceFeast day of Saint Nicholas
Celebrationsplacing shoes in the foyer before bedtime
ObservancesAttending Mass or other service of worship
Date5/6 December (Western Christianity and Eastern Christianity on the New Calendar); 18/19 December (Eastern Christianity on the Old Calendar)
Frequencyannual

Saint Nicholas Day, also called the "Feast of Saint Nicholas", observed on 6 December (or on its eve on 5 December) in Western Christian countries, and on 19 December in Eastern Christian countries using the old church Calendar, is the feast day of Saint Nicholas of Myra; it falls within the season of Advent.[3] It is celebrated as a Christian festival with particular regard to Saint Nicholas' reputation as a bringer of gifts, as well as through the attendance of church services.[4][5][6]

In the European countries of Germany and Poland, boys have traditionally dressed as bishops and begged alms for the poor.[7] In the Portuguese city of Guimarães, the Nicolinas, a series of festivities in honor of Saint Nicholas, happen every year.[8] In Poland and Ukraine children wait for St. Nicholas to come and to put a present under their pillows provided that the children were good during the year. Children who behaved badly may expect to find a twig or a piece of coal under their pillows. In the Netherlands and Belgium children put out a shoe filled with hay and a carrot for Saint Nicholas' horse. On Saint Nicholas Day, gifts are tagged with personal humorous rhymes written by the sender.[9] In the United States, one custom associated with Saint Nicholas Day is children leaving their shoes in the foyer on Saint Nicholas Eve in hope that Saint Nicholas will place some coins on the soles.[6]

The American Santa Claus, as well as the British Father Christmas, derive from Saint Nicholas. "Santa Claus" is itself derived in part from the Dutch Sinterklaas, the saint's name in that language. However, the gift giving associated with these descendant figures has come to be associated with Christmas Day rather than Saint Nicholas Day itself.[5]

Saint Nicholas

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A depiction of Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, giving dowry money to three poor girls
Main article: Saint Nicholas

Nicholas of Myra, according to Christian tradition, was born in Patar in Asia Minor.[10] He is said to have made a pilgrimage to Egypt to study theology under the Desert Fathers after which he was consecrated the Bishop of Myra.[10] During the Diocletianic Persecution of Christians, Nicholas of Myra was imprisoned.[10] He was released after Constantine the Great promulgated the Edict of Milan in 313, which allowed for the public practice of Christianity in the Roman Empire.[10] Nicholas of Myra was known for his generosity through a Christian legend, in which he gave a poor father money in order to prevent his daughters from being taken into slavery, as the father did not have the funds for his daughters' dowries.[10] It is said that Nicholas of Myra threw the money through the family's window, which landed in their shoes, which were drying near their fireplace.[10]

Nicholas of Myra died on 6 December 346, giving rise to the present Feast of Saint Nicholas.[10] The saint was entombed in St. Nicholas Church, Demre, though in 1087, Italian soldiers transferred his remains to Italy, where they were enshrined in the Basilica di San Nicola and are held to this day.[11] Saint Nicholas' tomb is said to exude the Oil of Saint Nicholas, which has attracted, throughout the centuries, Christian pilgrims who take the oil home in small bottles to use during prayer.[12]

Nicholas of Myra is the patron hallow of children, sailors, those undergoing financial problems, and victims of fire.[10]

In the 11th century, Christian nuns in Belgium and France initiated the practice of giving the poor gifts in the name of Saint Nicholas.[11] This custom spread to Germany and Holland further spreading the Feast of Saint Nicholas and its associated customs.[11]

Traditions by continent

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Europe

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Balkans

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A modern metal icon of Saint Nicholas by the Bulgarian artist Georgi 'Chapa' Chapkanov. Gilbert House, Stanley, Falkland Islands.

Among Albanians, Saint Nicholas is known as Shen'Kollë and is venerated by most Catholic families, even those from villages that are devoted to other saints. The Feast of Saint Nicholas is celebrated on the evening before 6 December, known as Shen'Kolli i Dimnit (Saint Nicholas of Winter), as well as on the commemoration of the interring of his bones in Bari, the evening before 9 May, known as Shen'Kolli i Majit (Saint Nicholas of May). Albanian Catholics often swear by Saint Nicholas, saying "Pasha Shejnti Shen'Kollin!" ("May I see Holy Saint Nicholas!"), indicating the importance of this saint in Albanian culture, especially among the Albanians of Malësia. On the eve of his feast day, Albanians will light a candle and abstain from meat, preparing a feast of roasted lamb and pork, to be served to guests after midnight. Guests will greet each other, saying, "Nata e Shen'Kollit ju nihmoftë!" ("May the Night of Saint Nicholas help you!") and other such blessings. The bones of Albania's greatest hero, George Kastrioti, were also interred in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Lezha, Albania, upon his death.[13]

In Greece, Saint Nicholas does not carry an especial association with gift-giving, as this tradition is carried over to St. Basil of Caesarea, celebrated on New Year's Day. St. Nicholas is the protector of sailors, he is considered the patron saint of the Greek Navy, military and merchant alike, and his day is marked by festivities aboard all ships and boats, at sea and in port. According to the tradition, it is Agios Nikolaos who makes the winds rage and cease, he can walk on the seas and whenever there is a ship in trouble, he would save it.[14]

It is also associated with the preceding feasts of St. Barbara (4 December), St. Savvas (5 December), and the following feast of St. Anne (9 December); all these are often collectively called the " Nikolobárbara", and are considered a succession of days that heralds the onset of truly wintry cold weather in the country. Therefore, by tradition, homes should have already been laid with carpets, removed for the warm season, by St. Andrew's Day (30 November), a week ahead of the Nikolobárbara.[14]

In Serbia, Nikoljdan is celebrated on 19 December. Since Nikoljdan always falls during the fasting period preceding Christmas, it is celebrated according to the Eastern Orthodox fasting rules ("Post"). This entails the complete avoidance of animal-sourced food products (meat, milk, dairy products, and eggs). The hosts who celebrate as the tradition says, prepare smoked carp for guests.[15]

In Bulgaria, Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated on 6 December as Nikulden. Families invite relatives, sponsors, and neighbors for a meal of fish (usually ribnik, a carp wrapped in dough) and two loaves of ceremonial bread, all of which are blessed at church or at home. The host wafts incense over the table, then lifts and breaks the bread. Bulgarians also observe 6 December as the name day for those with the names Nikola, Nikolay, Kolyo, Nikolina, Neno, Nenka, Nikoleta and Nina.[16]

Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg

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Sinterklaas in the Netherlands in 2007
Main article: Sinterklaas

In the Netherlands, his feast day is celebrated on 5 December, the Eve of Saint Nicholas. It is believed that Sinterklaas travels from Spain by boat. His arrival each November is a big event for children. In the days leading up to 5 December, young children put their shoes in front of the chimneys and sing Sinterklaas songs. The next morning they find a small present in their shoes, ranging from sweets to marbles or some other small toy.[17] He is assisted by many mischievous helpers, called 'Zwarte Pieten' ("Black Petes") or "Père Fouettard" in the French-speaking part of Belgium, with black faces and colourful Moorish dress, dating back two centuries. In the past, it was said that the Zwarte Pieten took all the naughty children, put them into sacks, and Sinterklaas took them with him to Spain.

On the Frisian islands (Waddeneilanden), the Sinterklaas feast has developed independently into traditions very different from the one on the mainland.[18] On the island of Terschelling mainly, but also other Wadden Islands, Sundrum is the name given to Sinterklaas.<[19]

In recent years there has been a recurrent discussion about the perceived politically incorrect nature of Zwarte Piet. In particular Dutch citizens with an Afro background or African roots might feel offended by the Dutch slavery history connected to this emblem and regard the representation of Zwarte Piet as racist. Others state that the black skin color of Zwarte Piet originates in his profession as a chimney sweep, hence the delivery of packages through the chimney.[20]

The rise of Father Christmas (known in Dutch as de Kerstman) is often cited as an example of globalization and Americanisation.[21]

Sinterklaas, Sint-Niklaas

In Belgium, they celebrate Sinterklaasfeest (Dutch-speaking) or la Saint-Nicolas (French-speaking) on the morning of 6 December. He arrives by steamboat around mid-November every year when he makes his annual entry in Antwerp, an event that is usually attended by hundreds of children. Sinterklaas wears a bishop's robes including a red cape and mitre and rides a white horse named Schimmel or Amerigo in the Netherlands and Slecht Weer Vandaag (bad weather today) in Flanders.[22] The town of Sint-Niklaas in East Flanders has a statue of Sinterklaas in front of its town hall.

In Luxembourg, during the run-up to 6 December, De Kleeschen visits schools. He wears a bishop's mitre on his head and carries a bishop's crosier. De Kleeschen gives presents to well-behaved children; his companion the Houseker gives those who have misbehaved twigs.[23]


Eastern Central Europe and Eastern Europe

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Mikulás in Ečka (Vojvodina – Serbia) brings joy to children in 2010.

In Slovenia, Miklavž (Sveti Miklavž) and in Croatia, Nikola (Sveti Nikola) who visits on Saint Nicholas day (Nikolinje in Croatia and "Miklavževanje" in Slovenia) brings gifts to children commending them for their good behavior over the past year and exhorting them to continue in the same manner in the year to come. If they fail to do so they will receive a visit from "Parkelj" or Krampus who traditionally leaves a rod, an instrument their parents will use to discipline them.

2006 Christmas stamp, Ukraine, showing Saint Nicholas and children

In Hungary, Croatia, Slovakia, Ukraine and Romania, children typically leave their cleaned boots on the windowsill on the evening before St. Nicholas Day. By next morning Nikolaus (Szent Miklós traditionally but more commonly known as Mikulás in Hungary or Moș Nicolae (Sfântul Nicolae) in Romania) and in Ukraine Sviatyi Mykolay leaves candies and gifts (Hungarian: virgács, Romanian: nuielușă). In Hungary and Croatia he is often accompanied by the Krampusz/Krampus, the frightening helper who is out to take away the bad ones.

In Slovenia, Saint Nikolaus (Miklavž) is accompanied by an angel and a devil (parkelj) corresponding to the Austrian Krampus.

Ukraine

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In Ukraine, Saint Nicholas (Mykolai) visits all children during the night and brings presents on 5–6 December. Before the calendar reform in Ukrainian churches [uk], the holiday was celebrated on 18–19 December [O.S. 5–6 December] until 2023.[24][25] From this day, Ukrainians start preparing for the Christmas holidays. Thus, in the cities and towns of Ukraine, Christmas trees are traditionally opened on Saint Nicholas Day.[26][27][28]

A commemorative coin of the NBU with a denomination of 5 hryvnias, dedicated to Saint Nicholas

In Ukraine, the image of Saint Nicholas (Sviatyi Mykolai) and the tradition of giving gifts are being revived. Also, the tradition of caring for the needy is increasingly respected: both in the form of charity events in church communities and in secular charitable projects.[29] In schools, on the eve of the holiday, lessons are held where children are taught to write a letter to Saint Nicholas.

On this day, some public organizations hold traditional charity events for orphans. So, every year in Lviv, the campaign "Mykolai will not forget about you! [uk]" takes place: the city organizes the "Saint Nicholas Factory", where residents bring gifts and donations for orphans; campaign activists distribute them to children in the evenings of 18 and 19 December.[30] Every year, Plast collects every chicken and prepares a large program for orphans and disabled children.

On 6 June 2006, President Viktor Yushchenko signed Decree No. 481/2006 "On measures to revive traditional folk art and folk arts and crafts in Ukraine", which includes, in particular, working out the issue of creating the "St. Nicholas Manor" complex in the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast with the Building works of folk masters of the National Union of Masters of Folk Art of Ukraine.[31] In 2010, President Viktor Yanukovych instructed the government to provide in the state budget for 2011 funds for the construction of the Estate of Saint Nicholas in the Hutsulshchyna National Park.[32]

In 2018, the Big Hand Films [uk] company, with the financial support of Derzhkino, released the film directed by Semen Horov [uk], "The Adventures of S Nicholas [uk]". The film tells about the faith of modern children in a good wizard who comes with gifts on the night before Saint Nicholas Day.[33]

France

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Even though Saint Nicolas is a Christmas traditional figure across all the French territory, the important celebrations on 6 December are limited to Alsace,[34] the French Low Countries,[34] the French Ardennes,[34] Franche-Comté,[34] the Argonne and Lorraine, where he is patron.[34] This day can be celebrated in some villages of other regions. A little donkey carries baskets filled with children's gifts, biscuits and sweets. The whole family gets ready for the saint's arrival on 6 December, with grandparents telling stories of the saint. The most popular one (also the subject of a popular French children's song) is of three children who wandered away and got lost. Cold and hungry, a wicked butcher lured them into his shop where he killed them and salted them away in a large tub. Through Saint Nicolas' help the boys were revived and returned to their families, earning him a reputation as protector of children. The evil butcher has followed Saint Nicolas in penance ever since as Père Fouettard. In France, statues and paintings often portray this event, showing the saint with children in a barrel.

Bakeries and home kitchens are hives of activity as spiced gingerbread biscuits and mannala (a brioche shaped like the saint) are baked. In schools, children learn songs and poems and create arts and crafts about Saint Nicolas, while in nursery schools, a man portraying Saint Nicolas gives away chocolates and sometimes little presents. He is sometimes accompanied by an actor playing Père Fouettard, who, like his German counterpart Krampus, carries switches to threaten the children who fear he will advise Saint Nicolas to pass them by on his gift-giving rounds.

In Alsace, Lorraine, Argonne and in the countryside of Montbéliard Saint Nicolas is accompanied by the Père Fouettard, but the character of the Père Fouettard is well known across all the French territory. He is sometimes also present in the French Ardennes. In Alsace and in Franconian Lorraine Saint Nicolas is also accompanied by the Christkind. In the historically French Flemish-speaking town of Dunkirk, Zwarte Piet is the companion of the Saint.

Western Central Europe

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Saint Nicholas and his companions in Haunzenbergersöll, Bavaria (1986)

In Northern Germany, Sankt Nikolaus is usually celebrated on a small scale. Many children put a boot called Nikolaus-Stiefel (Nikolaus boot) outside the front door on the night of 5 December. Saint Nicholas fills the boot with gifts and sweets overnight, and at the same time checks up on the children to see if they were good, polite and helpful the last year.[35] If they were not, they will have a stick (eine Rute) in their boots instead. Nicholas is often portrayed in Northern German folklore as being accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht who inquires of the children if they have been saying their prayers, and if not, he shakes his bag of ashes at them, or beats them with a stick. Sometimes a Nikolaus impersonator also visits the children at school or in their homes and asks them if they have been good (sometimes ostensibly checking his golden book for their record), handing out presents on the basis of their behavior. This has become more lenient in recent decades, and this task is often taken over by the Weihnachtsmann (Father Christmas). In more Catholic regions, Saint Nikolaus is dressed very much like a bishop, rides on a horse, and is welcomed at public places by large crowds. He has a long beard, and loves children, except when they have been naughty. This tradition has been kept alive annually.

In Poland Mikołaj is often also accompanied by an angel (anděl / anjel / anioł / anhel) who acts as a counterweight to the ominous devil or Knecht Ruprecht (czart). Poland and in Slovakia children find the candy and small gifts under the pillow, in their shoes or behind the window the evening of 5 December or the morning of 6 December.

In Austria, Bavaria and South-Tyrol (Austro-Bavarian regions), Saint Nicholas is accompanied by Krampus, represented as a beast-like creature, generally demonic in appearance. Krampus is thought to punish children during the Yule season who had misbehaved, and to capture particularly naughty children in his sack and carry them away to his lair. The tradition of Krampus was adapted by Czechs and Slovaks during the Austrian-Hungarian era. In addition, in Czechia and Slovakia Saint Nicholas is accompanied by an angel. In Czechia and Slovakia children receive some candies for their good deeds from Saint Nicholas (Mikuláš) and potatoes or coal from Chort (čert) for their sins. The creature has roots in Slavic folklore; however, its influence has spread far beyond German borders, in Austria, southern Bavaria, South Tyrol, northern Friuli, Hungary, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic and Croatia. 5 December is Krampus Night or Krampusnacht, in which the hairy devil appears on the streets. Traditionally young men dress up as the Krampus during the first week of December, particularly on the evening of 5 December (the eve of Saint Nichola Day on many church calendars), and roam the streets frightening children with rusty chains and bells. Sometimes accompanying Saint Nicholas and sometimes on his own, Krampus visits homes and businesses. The Saint usually appears in the Eastern Rite vestments of a bishop, and he carries a ceremonial staff. Nicholas dispenses gifts, while Krampus supplies coal and the ruten bundles.[36] Krampus is featured on holiday greeting cards called Krampuskarten. There are many names for Krampus, as well as many regional variations in portrayal and celebration.[37]

Krampus parade in Pörtschach am Wörthersee (2013)

Nikolaus-Umzug in Fribourg, Switzerland (2009)

In Swiss folklore, Saint Nicholas is known as Samichlaus (like Dutch Sinterklaas a corruption of the name of Saint Nicholas). He is accompanied by the Schmutzli a frightening helper wearing a brown monk's habit. The Christmas gift-bringer is not Samichlaus, but the Christchindli.

Italy

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Saint Nicholas (San Nicola) is the patron of the city of Bari, where it is believed he is buried. Its deeply felt celebration is called the Festa di San Nicola, held on 7–9 May. In particular on 8 May the relics of the saint are carried on a boat on the sea in front of the city with many boats following (Festa a mare). As Saint Nicholas is said to protect children and virgins, on 6 December there is a ritual called the Rito delle nubili: unmarried women wishing to find a husband can attend to an early-morning Mass, in which they have to turn around a column seven times. A similar tradition is currently observed in Sassari, where during the day of Saint Nicholas, patron of the city, gifts are given to young women who need help to get married.

In the provinces of Trieste, Udine, Belluno, Bari (Terlizzi and Molfetta), South Tyrol, Trentino and in the eastern part of the Province of Treviso, St. Nicholas (San Niccolò) is celebrated with gifts given to children on the morning of 6 December and with a fair called Fiera di San Niccolò[38] during the first weeks of December. Depending on the cultural background, in some families this celebration is more important than Christmas.

Like in Austria, in South Tyrol Saint Nicholas comes with krampuses. Instead, in Val Canale (Udine) Saint Nicholas comes to chase the krampuses: after a parade of krampuses running after people, Saint Nicholas comes on a chariot and give gifts to children (Video "San Nicolò caccia i Krampus a Tarvisio" 6.12.2010)

Malta

[edit]

Saint Nicholas (Maltese: San Nikola, less commonly San Niklaw) is the patron saint of the town of Siġġiewi where his feast is celebrated on the last Sunday in June, in addition to his regular feast day of 6 December.[39] The parish church, dedicated to the saint, was built between 1676 and 1693. It was designed by the Maltese architect, Lorenzo Gafà, with the portico and naves being added by Nikola Zammit in the latter half of the 19th century. The ruins of a former parish church are still visible and have recently undergone restoration.

People celebrating the Pinheiro, one of the 8 festivities of the Nicolinas.

Portugal

[edit]
Main article: Nicolinas

In Portugal only the city of Guimarães has festivities directed to Saint Nicholas (São Nicolau), and it has been like that since the Middle Ages, because Saint Nicholas is deemed as the patron saint of the students of the city.[40]

The collection of festivities in honor of Saint Nicholas are called Nicolinas, and they occur from 29 November to 7 December every year. These celebration are exclusive to this city, but bring people from all over the country to watch these centuries-old festivities, not seen anywhere else in the world.[41]

Orthodox Slavic countries

[edit]
Celebration of Slavic cakes, grain and wine
A depiction of Saint Nicholas and his companions visiting children

Nikoljdan (Serbian Cyrillic: Никољдан; Bulgarian: Никулден, romanized: Nikulden; Russian: Никола Зимний, romanized: Nikola Zimniy; Ukrainian: Cвятий Миколай, romanized: Sviatyy Mykolay) is the patron saint day (Krsna Slava, or Krsno ime, a Serb tradition) of Saint Nicholas, celebrated on 6 December (Gregorian calendar, 19 December on Julian). Since the feast of Saint Nicholas always falls in the fasting period preceding the Christmas, the feast is celebrated according to the Eastern Orthodox Church fasting rules ("Post"). Fasting refers in this context to the eating of a restricted diet (no animal products or dairy products etc.), such as fish (see Eastern Orthodox fasting).

Spain

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Saint Nicholas ("San Nicolás") is the patron of the city of Alicante.[42] The Co-Cathedral of St. Nicholas of Bari is located there.

Middle East

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Lebanon

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Saint Nicholas is celebrated by all the Christian communities in Lebanon: Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Armenian. Many places, churches, convents, and schools are named in honor of Saint Nicholas, such as Escalier Saint-Nicolas des Arts, Saint Nicolas Garden, and Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

North America

[edit]
Saint Nicholas Day event held in 1892 by the Saint Nicholas Society

In the 17th century, Dutch Protestants who settled in New York brought the Sinterklaas tradition with them. While feasts of Saint Nicholas are not observed nationally, cities with strong German influences like Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Evansville, Indiana, Teutopolis, Illinois; Cincinnati, Ohio; Fredericksburg, Texas; Newport News, Virginia; St. Louis, Missouri; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania celebrate Saint Nicholas Day on a scale similar to the German custom.[43]

Still practiced in some areas today, children place freshly polished shoes in front of doors, under windows, or at the foot of their beds before heading to bed. On the morning of 6 December, they find their shoes filled with gifts and sugary treats.[44] Widespread adoption of the tradition has spread among the German, Polish, Belgian, and Dutch communities throughout the United States. Americans who celebrate Saint Nicholas Day generally also celebrate Christmas Day (25 December) as a separate holiday. Some of the traditions and rituals of Christmas, such as leaving out a stocking to be filled, are similar to the traditions of Saint Nicholas Day.

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Saint Nicholas Day

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Saint Nicholas Day is a Christian feast observed annually on , commemorating , the fourth-century of in (modern-day ), a historical figure attested as participating in the in 325 AD and known through early hagiographical accounts for his pastoral leadership amid persecution and his reputed charitable interventions on behalf of the vulnerable. The observance centers on traditions of anonymous gift-giving to children, reflecting medieval European legends attributing to Nicholas acts such as secretly providing dowries to impoverished daughters to prevent their enslavement or destitution, customs that evolved into children leaving shoes or overnight to receive or small toys symbolizing the saint's . Celebrated prominently in countries like the (as ), , , and Eastern European nations including , the day features processions with a bishop-like figure on horseback, often accompanied by assistants, distributing rewards for good behavior while emphasizing moral instruction through that includes punitive elements like switches for the naughty. These practices, while embellished by pious legends with limited corroboration beyond his confirmed episcopal role, underscore Nicholas's enduring as patron of children, sailors, and the wrongly accused, influencing broader Western holiday rituals without verifiable ties to pre-Christian pagan festivals beyond speculative scholarly conjecture.

Historical Origins

Life of Saint Nicholas

Saint Nicholas served as bishop of Myra, an ancient city in Lycia (modern-day Demre, Turkey), during the early fourth century AD. Historical evidence confirms his existence as a Christian leader in this region, though primary contemporary records are absent, with the earliest attestations of his cult emerging in the fifth century through references like Patriarch Proclus's laudatory speech in Constantinople around 440 AD. He endured imprisonment during the Diocletianic Persecution (303–313 AD) but was released following Emperor Constantine's Edict of Milan in 313 AD, which granted toleration to Christians. Traditional accounts, preserved in hagiographies from the eighth century onward such as that by Michael the Archimandrite, place his birth around 270 AD in Patara, Lycia, to wealthy Christian parents named Epiphanius and Johanna, who perished in an epidemic, leaving him orphaned and raised by his uncle, the bishop of Patara. Ordained as a priest in youth, Nicholas reportedly undertook a pilgrimage to Egypt and Palestine before being selected as bishop of Myra through divine guidance to the local clergy, who sought a successor embodying poverty, chastity, and obedience. These narratives, while influential, rely on later medieval compilations like those of Symeon Metaphrastes in the tenth century and lack corroboration from earlier documents. Nicholas is historically associated with acts of charity and advocacy, including efforts to aid the impoverished and intervene in unjust executions, though specific miracles—such as secretly providing dowries of gold to three impoverished sisters to prevent their prostitution or resurrecting three murdered children—originate from legendary traditions without empirical support. Some accounts suggest his possible presence at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, convened to address , but no original participant lists include him, and claims of confrontations like slapping the heretic appear only in much later, unsubstantiated sources from the medieval period. He died on December 6, circa 343 AD, with his feast day established on that date; Emperor later constructed a church in his honor in during the sixth century, evidencing early .

Development of the Feast Day

![Saint Nicholas depicted in a 15th-century Book of Hours][float-right] The veneration of Saint Nicholas began shortly after his death on December 6, approximately 343 AD, in Myra, Lycia (modern-day Demre, Turkey), where he served as bishop. Local Christians in the region initially honored him on the anniversary of his death, establishing December 6 as his feast day, reflecting the early Christian practice of commemorating martyrs and bishops on their dies natalis. By the 6th century, accounts of miracles attributed to him circulated in the Eastern Roman Empire, contributing to the spread of his cult within Byzantine territories, including dedications of churches and inclusion in liturgical texts. The cult gained prominence in during the 8th and 9th centuries, with invoked as a protector against invasions and for seafarers, as evidenced by hagiographical writings and icons produced in the Eastern Church. His popularity extended to Slavic regions through Byzantine influence, where his feast was integrated into Orthodox calendars on December 6 (Julian), equivalent to December 19 in the modern . However, the threat of Seljuk Turk conquests in prompted the preservation of his relics; in 1087, Italian sailors from transported them from to to safeguard them from desecration, an event known as the . This relocation markedly accelerated the development of the feast in . Upon arrival in on May 9, 1087, the relics were enshrined, drawing pilgrims and fostering devotion among Latin Christians. consecrated the Basilica di San Nicola in 1089, embedding the observance in the Roman liturgical calendar and promoting it across Norman-controlled and beyond. The Norman rulers leveraged the for political legitimacy, further disseminating traditions through trade routes and monastic networks, transforming a regional Byzantine commemoration into a widespread European feast by the .

Religious Observance

In the Catholic Church

In the , the feast of , Bishop of , is celebrated on as an optional during the Advent . This ranking allows for the celebration of the saint's in place of the weekday Advent readings when chosen by the or community, reflecting his enduring as a fourth-century and wonder-worker. The date aligns with the traditional Western computation of his death around AD 343, preserved in the despite shifts in Eastern observances. The liturgical texts for the memorial include readings such as Isaiah 29:17-24, emphasizing God's transformative justice, paired with Matthew 9:27-31 on faith and healing, which evoke Nicholas's reputed of provision and protection. The proper collect prayer petitions: "We humbly implore your mercy, Lord: protect us in all dangers through the prayers of the ," highlighting his role as intercessor against perils faced by sailors, travelers, and the faithful. These elements underscore themes of divine and safeguarding, rooted in hagiographic accounts of Nicholas anonymously aiding the impoverished, such as providing dowries for three impoverished sisters to prevent their exploitation. Devotional practices on this day focus on imitating Nicholas's charity within the Advent framework of preparation and , often involving prayers for children, whom he patrons alongside students, merchants, and pawnbrokers. Catholic families and parishes may incorporate novenas or litanies invoking his aid prior to December 6, fostering reflection on almsgiving as a counter to material excess during the pre-Christmas period. While cultural customs like placing shoes for gifts derive from his legend, emphasis remains on eucharistic celebration and invoking his patronage for moral fortitude against and , as evidenced in medieval guilds dedicated to him. In regions with strong Catholic heritage, such as parts of , the feast integrates into liturgies without overshadowing Advent's penitential tone.

In the Eastern Orthodox Church

In the , the primary feast of , known as the Wonderworker and Archbishop of , is observed on according to the Julian liturgical , which aligns with December 19 on the Gregorian civil in jurisdictions such as the Russian and Serbian Orthodox Churches that retain the old . Churches following the , including the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, celebrate it on Gregorian. This commemoration honors his repose in 343 AD and emphasizes his role as a defender of , including his reputed participation in the First at in 325, where he championed Trinitarian doctrine against . Liturgical observances center on the of Saint John Chrysostom, typically held on the morning of the feast day, preceded by services featuring hymns extolling as a "" and "hierarch" who intercedes for the faithful. These services highlight his miracles, such as the deliverance of three innocents from wrongful execution and aid to mariners during storms, attributes that underscore his patronage over children, sailors, and the oppressed. Icons of , often depicted in episcopal vestments holding the Gospels and blessing with his right hand, are venerated prominently in churches and homes, with many Orthodox parishes—particularly in rural —dedicated to him as a "quick intercessor" before God. Saint Nicholas ranks among the most revered saints in , third after the and , due to his embodiment of pastoral zeal and thaumaturgic power, evidenced by historical accounts of his relics' myrrh-streaming and reported contemporary interventions. Additional commemorations include his nativity on (Julian, September 10 Gregorian for old-calendar churches) and the of his relics on May 22 (June 4 Gregorian), but the December remains the principal solemnity, fostering communal prayer for protection and .

Customs and Traditions

Western European Practices

In the and , Saint Nicholas Day centers on the figure of , a who arrives by steamboat from in mid-November, accompanied by his helpers known traditionally as Zwarte Pieten, depicted in Moorish attire with makeup representing soot from chimneys or historical pages. The celebration culminates on the evening of December 5, when families exchange gifts, often accompanied by humorous poems and surprises hidden in packages, while children place their shoes near the or door with a for Sinterklaas's , receiving small treats like letters, pepernoten cookies, or toys if deemed well-behaved. Public arrivals and parades occur in cities, with Sinterklaas riding a through streets, throwing pepernoten to crowds. In , the tradition involves children polishing their boots and placing them outside doors or by windows on the night of , which Nikolaus fills overnight with nuts, apples, oranges, candies, and small toys for the obedient, or a rod (Ruten) symbolizing discipline for the naughty. Nikolaus appears in episcopal robes and , sometimes with an angel assistant, visiting homes, schools, or markets to distribute treats and assess behavior via a golden book. Processions and markets featuring Nikolaus occur in many towns, emphasizing his role as patron of children and sailors. Austria's observances mirror Germany's, with Nikolaus delivering gifts on , often in person at gatherings, providing fruits, nuts, and sweets, while the demonic counterpart accompanies him on December 5 to punish misbehaving children with switches or carrying them off in chains, a custom rooted in pre-Christian integrated into Christian days. In , particularly in , , and northern regions, children set out shoes to be filled with treats, and parades feature Saint Nicolas in bishop's garb distributing candies, though the holiday holds regional rather than national prominence. These practices trace to medieval processions and charitable distributions by emulating Nicholas's legendary generosity, evolving into family-oriented customs by the amid industrialization and .

Eastern European and Slavic Practices

In , Saint Nicholas Day, known as Mikołajki, is observed on , with children receiving small gifts such as sweets and toys placed in their shoes or overnight, a custom rooted in the saint's legendary generosity toward children. Families often attend church services, and schools may host visits from Mikołaj accompanied by an angel and a figure who distributes treats to well-behaved children and symbolic punishments like to the naughty. Slovakia and the Czech Republic celebrate on the evening of , when Mikuláš arrives with an angel and čert (), prompting children to recite prayers or confess minor misdeeds for judgment; good children receive nuts, fruits, and candies in their cleaned shoes, while others get potatoes or switches. Processions featuring costumed figures traverse towns, emphasizing moral lessons through theatrical interactions. Among Orthodox , the feast aligns with the on December 19 in countries like and , focusing more on liturgical observances than gift-giving. In , churches hold Divine Liturgies venerating Nikolai Chudotvorets, with some families exchanging modest presents or preparing traditional foods, though major gift exchanges occur at . Serbia's Nikoljdan serves as the Slava for approximately half the population claiming as their family's , involving the preparation of koljivo (boiled wheat with honey), bread, and wine; a blesses the home, and relatives gather for a meal symbolizing ancestral faith and communal bonds. In , following the Orthodox Church of Ukraine's 2023 adoption of the , Saint Nicholas Day shifted to , reviving pre-Soviet where Sviatyi Mykolai delivers gifts to children via letters or stockings, often emphasizing charity toward orphans and the needy through drives. Croatian and Slovenian Catholics maintain traditions similar to , with Sveti Nikola filling shoes with treats on the eve, accompanied by moralistic companions. These practices underscore Saint Nicholas's role as protector of children and the vulnerable, blending religious devotion with folk elements adapted across regions.

Practices in the Middle East and Mediterranean

In regions of the and the Mediterranean with significant Orthodox Christian populations, such as , , , and , Day is primarily observed through liturgical services emphasizing his role as a wonderworker and protector of sailors and the vulnerable, often on in the used by many Eastern churches or in the traditional . In , where serves as a national , the feast begins the Advent season with Divine Liturgies in churches dedicated to him, numbering over 500 across the country, and coastal communities decorating ships with flags and wreaths to invoke his maritime patronage, a rooted in his historical association with Myra's seafaring heritage. In , celebrations similarly mark the onset of the period from December 6 through Epiphany on , featuring church services and communal feasts that highlight 's miracles, with traditions at sites like the of of the Cats preserving folklore of his protective interventions against pests and peril. Among Christian communities in , encompassing , Orthodox, and Melkites, the day involves solemn Masses and home visits by parish priests bearing icons, rewarding children's piety with small gifts or sweets, reflecting 's legendary generosity without the elaborate processions common in . Syrian Orthodox and Greek Orthodox adherents hold special Masses honoring Saint Nicholas as a model of charity, with documented instances of aid distribution to children, such as Russian Orthodox initiatives providing presents to over 100 youths in Damascus on December 19, 2020, amid ongoing regional instability that limits public festivities to church-centered observances. In Palestine, the feast forms part of a clustered observance including Saints Barbara and Saba, culminating in December services focused on communal prayer rather than secular customs. Turkey, site of Saint Nicholas's bishopric in ancient Myra (modern Demre), hosts annual Orthodox liturgies at his restored church on December 6 when permitted, drawing pilgrims to the UNESCO-listed basilica despite the country's Muslim majority constraining widespread celebrations to tourism and heritage events. These practices underscore a continuity of veneration tied to his fourth-century legacy, adapted to local demographics and ecclesiastical calendars, with minimal commercialization compared to Western traditions.

North American and Global Diaspora Observances

In the , Saint Nicholas Day on is observed mainly by families of European immigrant descent, including German, Polish, Dutch, and Ukrainian heritage, through traditions carried over from the . Children typically place their shoes or boots by the fireplace, door, or bedside on the evening of , awakening to find them filled with small treats such as coins wrapped in gold foil, nuts, candies, apples, or oranges—symbols evoking the saint's legendary gifts to impoverished children. These practices, introduced by 19th-century waves of immigrants, have influenced broader American customs but remain distinct in ethnic enclaves, where parents or church figures dressed as St. Nicholas may visit homes or schools to distribute goodies and offer moral reminders about good behavior. Catholic and Lutheran parishes often host festivals on or near the date, featuring processions, storytelling from the saint's life, and communal feasting with items like pfeffernüsse cookies or mikulášské cukroví. Canadian observances mirror those in the U.S., concentrated among diaspora groups such as Ukrainian, Polish, and German communities, particularly in provinces like and on the Prairies. Families maintain the shoe-filling ritual with modest gifts and sweets, emphasizing the saint's role as protector of children, while Orthodox and Catholic churches incorporate the feast into Advent preparations with liturgies and youth events. In larger cities like and , cultural associations organize parades or visits by St. Nicholas accompanied by attendants like angels or, in some Eastern European traditions, a Krampus-like figure to represent discipline. These celebrations, though not public holidays, preserve religious and familial piety amid secular dominance, with attendance at events numbering in the hundreds for specific parish gatherings. Globally, diaspora communities in non-European countries such as , the , and parts of sporadically uphold similar customs, often through ethnic clubs or private family rites, to transmit to younger generations. Dutch expatriates in , for instance, may enact Sinterklaas arrivals by boat with helpers, distributing pepernoten candies and gifts, while Polish groups in the UK host vigils with carols and sweets in shoes. These observances, scaled down from European norms, focus on as a prelude to , reinforcing St. Nicholas's historical patronage of sailors and travelers—apt for migrant populations—without widespread commercialization. In regions like , adoption is minimal, limited to isolated or European enclaves where the feast aligns with local Advent devotions rather than supplanting them.

Relation to Santa Claus and Christmas

Historical Evolution from Saint to Santa

The veneration of , a 4th-century bishop of in Asia Minor known for legends of secret gift-giving to the poor, formed the basis for European customs honoring him on December 6. These traditions emphasized his role as protector of children and sailors, with practices like filling shoes with gifts or treats evolving in medieval , particularly in regions like the where he became , depicted as arriving by ship from . During the Protestant in the 16th and 17th centuries, many reformers in northern suppressed saintly feasts, shifting gift-giving associated with Nicholas to Day, December 25, to align with Christ-centered celebrations rather than Catholic . Dutch settlers carried traditions to (present-day New York) in the early 17th century, maintaining observances of the bishop-like figure arriving on a white horse to distribute gifts and discipline via a companion helper. This European import laid groundwork for American adaptations, with the name phonetically evolving into "" among English speakers. In 1809, Washington Irving's satirical , published under the , parodied Dutch colonial history by portraying as a flying figure in a wagon who smoked a long pipe and delivered presents down chimneys, blending with whimsical exaggeration to mock antiquarian scholarship. The transformation accelerated in 1823 with Clement Clarke Moore's poem , anonymously published in the Troy Sentinel on December 23, which reimagined St. Nicholas as a diminutive, jolly elf-like man with a sleigh pulled by , entering homes via to fill —attributes drawn partly from Dutch traditions but fused with American inventiveness. Moore's depiction, later claimed by him in 1837, emphasized secrecy and merriment over ecclesiastical solemnity. German-American illustrator further codified the image through 33 drawings in Harper's Weekly from 1863 to 1886, starting with Civil War-era showing Santa in a stars-and-stripes suit supporting Union troops, evolving to a robust, bearded figure in red attire residing at the , standardizing visual elements like the sack of toys and workshop. By the late , these literary and artistic contributions had largely supplanted the historical with a secular, pagan-infused gift-bringer tied to commerce, detaching from his December 6 feast in popular Anglo-American culture while retaining echoes of his charitable legacy. This evolution reflected causal influences like , Protestant , and cultural reinvention in a young republic seeking distinct folklore, rather than unbroken continuity from Byzantine .

Merging with Christmas and Secular Influences

The tradition of gift-giving associated with on December 6 gradually merged with celebrations on December 25, particularly in Protestant regions where Reformation-era aversion to prompted a shift to emphasize Christ's birth over the saint's feast day. This evolution absorbed elements from local pagan customs and other Christian observances, enlarging festivities by incorporating 's role as a generous patron of children into broader practices. In the United States, Dutch settlers introduced traditions, which blended with English figures, fostering a that transitioned from a religious to a more secular gift-bringer by the . Literary works, such as those depicting a jolly, sleigh-riding visitor, further secularized the figure, detaching it from explicit Christian and aligning it with emerging commercial holiday consumerism. Secular influences intensified this merger through mass media and advertising, transforming the once-ecclesiastical observance into a culturally dominant, symbol of holiday generosity, often overshadowing its origins in Saint Nicholas's charitable acts. This shift paradoxically aided the revival of by reintroducing festive elements in a palatable, secular form amid 19th-century religious debates.

Modern Developments and Critiques

Contemporary Celebrations and Revivals

In the and , contemporary celebrations of Saint Nicholas Day center on the tradition, where the saint arrives by in late , accompanied by assistants, leading to evening parades and the filling of children's shoes with sweets, nuts, and small gifts on December 5. Similar practices occur in and , with Nikolaus visiting homes or schools on December 6 to reward good behavior with treats placed in boots or shoes. In , modern observances combine religious services, family gatherings, and gift-giving, incorporating both traditional folk customs like protective amulets and contemporary elements such as charitable events. Efforts to revive Saint Nicholas Day traditions have gained traction and other secularized regions, particularly among Christian families and churches seeking to emphasize the historical bishop's charitable legacy over commercialized imagery. Catholic organizations advocate restoring of the as patron of children through home rituals like placing shoes by the and church festivals featuring the bishop's appearance. Lutheran and Reformed communities promote observances to separate early gift-giving from , fostering a focus on rooted in the saint's fourth-century acts of secret almsgiving. These revivals often include educational events, such as plays or readings of Nicholas's life, held on the nearest .

Commercialization, Secularization, and Cultural Debates

In regions with strong traditions, such as the and , commercialization manifests through seasonal retail promotions featuring pepernoten candies, letters, and small gifts placed in children's shoes, contributing to heightened in early . Retailers produce Sinterklaas-themed merchandise, including elaborate gift-wrapping surprises known as "surprises," which encourage creative but commercially driven crafting and purchasing of materials. While specific industry statistics for Saint Nicholas Day are limited, these practices parallel broader holiday consumerism, with Dutch households allocating portions of their yuletide budgets to 5-6 observances before shifting to . Secularization has progressively detached celebrations from their Christian origins, transforming the feast into a child-focused event emphasizing entertainment and material rewards over of the 4th-century bishop's charitable legacy. In the , parades and home rituals prioritize theatrical arrivals by boat and distribution of treats, often omitting explicit religious elements like prayers or church services. This shift, accelerated by 19th-century Protestant reforms and 20th-century media portrayals, mirrors the evolution toward a figure, where the saint's anonymity in giving is eclipsed by expectation of visible bounty. Christian observers have critiqued this as diluting spiritual preparation for Advent, favoring over moral lessons of . Cultural debates surrounding Saint Nicholas Day intensify around the figure of , the saint's traditional -clad assistant, which some activists decry as a racist evoking colonial-era . Defenders, including historians, trace the character's 19th-century origins to chimney soot or a Moorish helper, arguing it symbolizes mischief and aid without inherent malice, supported by pre-1850 depictions lacking racial connotations. Protests since the have prompted reforms, such as "soot Petes" with smudged faces instead of full , adopted by some municipalities and broadcasters by 2019, though national polls indicate persistent division, with a 2018 survey showing nearly half of Dutch respondents viewing the tradition as non-racist . These tensions reflect broader societal rifts over , with critics of change accusing reformers of imposing external moral frameworks on indigenous folklore.

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