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When you hear the name“St. Nicholas,” which images might breeze through your mind? Perhaps you picture an older man with a white beard, wearing red attire. Perhaps you picture children excitedly hanging stockings in hopes of a treat from the legendary Saint. Hopefully, though, you can allow yourself to think of December 6th, his feast day, and the fight against violence, poverty, and exploitation that he strove to defeat
during his lifetime.

Simply put, the facts that are known about the life of St. Nicholas are few and far between. We know that he was probably born in the ancient city of Patara in Lycia, situated on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Saint Nicholas is believed to have been born of rich parents and after their death, set out with his inheritance to convert sinners and to aid the poor. Named Bishop in Myra, the capital city, where the diocese was worn down and dying, it is said that the Saint was imprisoned for his faith during the persecution of Christians, and denounced the religious teachings of Arianism. He died and was buried in the Cathedral in Myra.

The rest of his life story can only be left to speculation, merely traditions passed down through the generations. Colorful legends surrounding this zealous and holy man have driven him into the hearts of many – young and old alike. Overall, his name draws to mind kindness, cheerfulness, helpfulness, and happiness. This, indeed, is a fitting perspective of this man, who seemed to live for the betterment of others.

One famous story of the Saint’s kindness, centers on a poor man who had no money for his three daughters’ dowries. Unable to find husbands for the girls, the man was about to lead them into an immoral life when St. Nicholas secretly threw three bags of gold into an open window of their house. The gold provided each daughter’s dowry, saving them from a devastating life.

This story of St. Nicholas and the three girls is likely the reason that the Saint is often connected with the giving of presents to children at Christmastime. The legend was popularized in America by the Dutch Protestants of New Amsterdam, who had converted St. Nicholas into a Nordic magician known today as Santa Claus.

His popularity among the people living in the west, although great, rose dramatically when his relics were brought to Bari, Italy, in 1087. This attributed to Bari becoming a great pilgrimage destination of Europe, and crowds gathered at his tomb from all parts of Europe. Miracles were liberally credited to his intercession in both Asia and Europe.

Saint Nicholas is the patron Saint of Greece and Russia. He is also known to keep a prayerful watch over sailors for miraculously saving doomed mariners from a storm. He is the protector of children for the legendary stories of saving children in times of need, and over prisoners because he was imprisoned for his faith.

According to an anonymous tenth century Greek, St. Nicholas’
widespread popularity is well deserved. “…All Christians, young and old, men and women, boys and girls, reverence his memory and call upon his protection. And his favors, which know no limit of time and continue from age to age, are poured out over all the Earth…”

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