Where did the Santa Clause legend begin?

Answer 1

Saint Nicholas 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 2

St Nicolas born in 3rd century in the village of Patara Southern coast of Turkey. His parents died when he was quite young and he used his inheritance to help those in need. Know for his love of children and concern for sailors. He died on Dec 6th AD343. There is a story of a man with three daughters and he didn't have money for their dowry or gift to prospective husbands. Without marriage prospects the daughters would have been sold into slavery on three different nights a bag of gold was thrown through their window. Some say the gold landed in shoes or stockings which is why we hang stockings or in some countries children set their shoes out. In some places the story says gold balls came through the window and that is why oranges are given during this season. He was persecuted for his Christian faith and died in prison. Dec 6th AD 343. The anniversary of his death is celebrated in some countries like Holland as St. Nicolas day. His grave produces a substances they call manna and this is said to have healing properties. This lead to the large following of St. Nicolas. Santa Clause evolved from these legends

Answer 3

Santa Claus, is a determine which replaced into derived from the Dutch determine of Sinterklaas, a historic, mythical determine who in lots of Western cultures, is declared to hold presents to the properties of the sturdy infants in the process the late evening and in one day hours of Christmas Eve, December 24 or on his dinner party Day, December 6 (Saint Nicholas Day). The legend could have area of its foundation in hagiographical memories relating to the historic determine of present giver Saint Nicholas. a almost comparable tale is attributed by Greek and Byzantine folklore to Basil of Caesarea. Basil's dinner party day on January a million is seen the time of adjusting presents in Greece.

Answer 4

I don't know how true this is, but it is an interesting story none the less.
Apparently Saint Nicolas wanted to give some money to a poor family, but didn't want them to know it was him who gave it. So he threw the coins through the window, and it landed in some stalking the family hung in front of the fire to dry. Apparently that was the beginning of tradition of hanging Christmas stalkings from the mantelpiece...

Answer 5

In Turkey: there was a priest called Nicholas (who then became a Saint) who used to bring gifts to poor children.

Answer 6

Somewhere in Eurpope. He was a Priest who gave away toys to children. Thats how I learned it.

Answer 7

the real person's name was Saint nicholas. He gave presents to little children on christmas.

Answer 8

Who says its just a legend???????