On December 6, Christians remember Saint Nicholas of Myra, an early Church bishop known for his generosity and his love for children. He was born in Lycia in Asia Minor, likely in the late third or early fourth century, and is remembered today as much more than the inspiration for Santa Claus.
As a young man, Saint Nicholas is believed to have traveled to Palestine and Egypt to learn from the Desert Fathers. After returning home, he was soon chosen to become the Bishop of Myra, which is now Demre in modern-day Turkey. During the persecution led by Emperor Diocletian, he was imprisoned for his faith. He was freed only after Constantine the Great legalized Christianity and made it the official religion of the Roman Empire.
One of the most famous stories about Saint Nicholas tells of a poor father who could not afford dowries for his daughters. Without help, the girls would have faced a life of desperation. Hearing this, Nicholas secretly threw bags of gold through the family’s window, and the gold is said to have landed in shoes drying near the fireplace. This story became the origin of the custom of children leaving out their shoes or hanging stockings in the hope of receiving a gift on the night before his feast.
Saint Nicholas became associated with Christmas because he often gave gifts in secret, especially to children. His appearance, described as wearing red robes and having a white beard, eventually influenced the development of the modern Santa Claus. The German name “San Nikolaus” sounded similar to “Santa Claus,” which helped shape the transformation.
In the Eastern Christian tradition, he is known as Saint Nicholas of Myra. In the West, he is called Saint Nicholas of Bari because, during the Muslim conquest of Turkey in 1087, Italian sailors transferred his relics to the city of Bari.
Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of children and sailors. People pray for his help in difficult economic situations, during shipwrecks, and in times of fire. He died on December 6, 346, and is honored as a symbol of kindness, faith, and generous love.