Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, Saint in Bari
as told by James Rosenthal

Saint Nicholas was a fourth-century bishop of Myra in Asia Minor (now southern Turkey). The image of Nicholas as a worker of wonders was enhanced by a ninth-century author and he is now best known through these stories. Many of them concern his love and concern for children, how he fed the hungry during a famine, revived three pickled boys, and fought for the oppressed and innocent. He saved three girls from a life of prostitution by providing them with dowries and so developed the tradition of bearing gifts to children on his feast day, a main focus in our Christmas celebrations. St Nicholas is also one of the patron saints of Russia as well as Aberdeen, Nancy and New York. He is the true Father Christmas and Santa Claus. His feast days are 6 December and 9 May. His buried in Bari, Italy, taken from Myra/Demre in 1087 by Italian sailors.

Editor’s note: With thanks to the Church of England Exalting Holiness collection, a good summary for programs, bulletins and magazines.

© 2009  St Nicholas Society/Rosenthal

STORIES INDEX