What is the orgin of Saint Nicholas?

Answer 1

St. Nicholas of Myra (Also called NICHOLAS OF BARI).

Bishop of Myra in Lycia; died 6 December, 345 or 352. Though he is one of the most popular saints in the Greek as well as the Latin Church, there is scarcely anything historically certain about him except that he was Bishop of Myra in the fourth century.

Some of the main points in his legend are as follows: He was born at Parara, a city of Lycia in Asia Minor; in his youth he made a pilgrimage to Egypt and Palestine; shortly after his return he became Bishop of Myra; cast into prison during the persecution of Diocletian, he was released after the accession of Constantine, and was present at the Council of Nicaea. In 1087 Italian merchants stole his body at Myra, bringing it to Bari in Italy.

The numerous miracles St. Nicholas is said to have wrought, both before and after his death, are outgrowths of a long tradition. There is reason to doubt his presence at Nicaea, since his name is not mentioned in any of the old lists of bishops that attended this council. His cult in the Greek Church is old and especially popular in Russia. As early as the sixth century Emperor Justinian I built a church in his honour at Constantinople, and his name occurs in the liturgy ascribed to St. Chrysostom. In Italy his cult seems to have begun with the translation of his relics to Bari, but in Germany it began already under Otto II, probably because his wife Theophano was a Grecian. Bishop Reginald of Eichstaedt (d. 991) is known to have written a metric, "Vita S. Nicholai." The course of centuries has not lessened his popularity. The following places honour him as patron: Greece, Russia, the Kingdom of Naples, Sicily, Lorraine, the Diocese of Liège; many cities in Italy, Germany, Austria, and Belgium; Campen in the Netherlands; Corfu in Greece; Freiburg in Switzerland; and Moscow in Russia. He is patron of mariners, merchants, bakers, travellers, children, etc. His representations in art are as various as his alleged miracles. In Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, they have the custom of making him the secret purveyor of gifts to children on 6 December, the day on which the Church celebrates his feast; in the United States and some other countries St. Nicholas has become identified with Santa Claus who distributes gifts to children on Christmas eve. His relics are still preserved in the church of San Nicola in Bari; up to the present day an oily substance, known as Manna di S. Nicola, which is highly valued for its medicinal powers, is said to flow from them.

Answer 2

A Christmas stocking is an empty sock or sock-formed bag that youngsters draw close on Christmas Eve so as that Santa Claus can fill it with small toys, candy, fruit, money, or different small presents whilst he arrives. those small products are normally observed as stocking stuffers or stocking fillers. In some Christmas thoughts, the contents of the Christmas stocking are the only toys the baby gets at Christmas from Santa Claus. different gives you're wrapped up in wrapping paper and located below the Christmas tree. custom in western way of existence dictates that a baby who behaves badly throughout the time of the three hundred and sixty 5 days will acquire purely a bite of coal. by custom, the stocking is held on the fire mantel, yet, for the reason that many modern-day residences don't have fireplaces, stockings could be hung in very nearly any region. The custom began in Germany. initially, infants merely used one in each and every of their well-known socks, yet at last specific Christmas stockings have been created for this objective. right this moment, shops carry an incredible style of varieties and sizes of Christmas stockings, and yule stockings are additionally a properly-liked selfmade craft. Many families create their very own Christmas stockings with each and each family individuals member's call utilized to the stocking so as that Santa will understand which stocking belongs to which family individuals member.

Answer 3

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Saint Nicholas

Bishop of Myra, Defender of Orthodoxy, Wonderworker, Holy Hierarch
Born 3rd century in Patara, Lycia
Died 6 December 343 in Myra, Lycia
Venerated in All Christianity
Major shrine Basilica di San Nicola, Bari, Italy.
Feast December 6
Attributes Episcopal vestments. In Eastern Christianity, a Gospel book and omophorion.
Patronage Children, sailors, fishermen, the falsely accused, pawnbrokers, thieves, many cities.
You revealed yourself, O saint, in Myra as a priest, for you fulfilled the Gospel of Christ by giving up your soul for your people, and saving the innocent from death. Therefore you are blessed as one become wise in the grace of God.
Kontakion, Tone III. Translation of the Orthodox Church in America
Saints Portal

Saint Nicholas (Greek: Νικόλαος, "Victory of the people") is the common name for Saint Nicholas of Myra, who had a reputation for secret gift-giving, but is now commonly identified with Santa Claus, Father Christmas or in The Netherlands and Belgium as Sint-Nicolaas or Sinterklaas. He lived in 4th century Myra in the Byzantine Empire's Lycia, the modern day Demre in the Antalya province of Turkey. This is as much as is generally known about him in the West.

This historical character was the inspiration for a mythical figure known as Sankt Nikolaus in Germany and Sinterklaas in the Netherlands and Flanders, which in turn was the inspiration for Santa Claus. Sinterklaas (a contracted form of Sint Nicolaas) is a major celebration in the Netherlands and in Flanders (see below). Among Orthodox Christians, the historical Saint Nicholas is remembered and revered. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, children, and students in Greece,Russia and Serbia. He is also the patron saint of Barranquilla (Colombia), Bari (Italy) and of Amsterdam (Netherlands).

Answer 4

Turkey, then known as Asia minor. There was a poor maiden that a shake wanted to marry but she had no dowry. The story implies that a servant of the shake poured gold coins down her chimney , a couple bounced into stockings that were hung on the fire place.


A statue of the shake with his red and white hat is in turkey to this day.


Nothing to do with Christmas.


In colonial times he was on the three dollar bill.

Answer 5

I'm not sure of his origin, but I know he's the patron saint of like small children. He'd always give small, poor children gifts. Which is why we have Saint Nick's Day ;-)

Answer 6

http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=38 Here ya go!!