When St. Nicholas was Bishop of Myra, now called Demre in Turkey, there was no Turkey, it was the Byzantine Empire, and these territories had Greek populations from antiquity. Turks came to the region later and conquered it in 1071, long after the time of St. Nicholas. Besides, the name Nikolaos itself is Greek.
To Zac fan: By Santa Claus I gather that the questioner means St. Nicholas, the real St. Nicholas who is a historic person. Of course "Santa" who goes down the chimney and has raindeers is a legend. But he is a legend based on a real person.
2007-12-25 08:11:08
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answer #1
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answered by cpinatsi 7
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Yes, as detailed by many answerers, Santa had his origins in what is now Turkey. And sorry, Ela, Santa is alive and well -- even here in Turkey. He recently paid many visits to children of of both Christian and Muslim parents. Santa Claus is a spirit of joy and giving.
2007-12-26 19:16:18
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answer #2
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answered by expatturk 4
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The whole persona of Santa Claus is well etched out and is a very attractive icon of children. Christmas is a festivity most awaited by children and this has immensely helped in the survival of the legends of Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus and particularly his reputation as a bringer of gifts. The American version of St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus originally came from the Dutch version called Sint Klaas. The Dutch settlers in New York brought this fun and lively tradition to America.
The Persona
This version of Santa has given the current myth its visual form and some very curious traditions. A merry old man with red and white clothes, along with eight flying reindeer, which is later joined by Rudolph the red nosed reindeer. The home of Santa Clause is located on or near the North Pole and he is in habit of filling socks or stockings with presents on the night of December 24th. Santa Claus is also said to possess the habit of entering houses through the chimney.
The Transformation
The basis for the Santa Claus is Bishop Nicholas of Smyrna (Izmir), in what is now Turkey. Nicholas lived in the 4th century A.D. He was very rich, generous, and loving toward children. Often he gave joy to poor children by throwing gifts in through their windows. The modern day image of Santa Clause has been very much evolved and has attained a commercial status. But nonetheless this image has still preserved the essence of the old cult. Actually the old "cult" of Santa Claus incorporates many traditions: Christian and Pagan, Old Catholic, Scandinavian, Dutch, German and English.
The Real Saint Nicholas
Born to relatively affluent Christian parents in Patara, Saint Nicholas was at one time bishop of Myra, a town in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Recognized for his great generosity, he is the real saint Nicholas.
more about The Real Saint Nicholas
Santa Around the World
Santa around the world is recalled in a different versions. But the common facts related to him is that he is virtually omnipresent and can visit hundreds of millions of homes in one night.
more about Santa Around the World
Multi-Culturism
Santa's Other Names: Santa clause is the most attractive representation of the Christmas occasion. Though the nature of Santa remains the same but the name of Santa changes with each region.
more about Multi-Culturism
Evolution Of Modern Day Santa Clause
The present day Santa claus is variedly different from the one that originated. With changing time and culture, their has been an immense evolution of modern day Santa clause. ~
2007-12-25 07:54:12
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answer #3
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answered by ₪₪₪AbsolutE₪₪₪ 7
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I suppose that Cpinatsi gave you a correct information.
That's like saying that the Machu Picchu in Peru is spanish, or saying that the roman ruins in England are english.
Since the Antiquity till now, many lands had various owners. And Asia Minor was one of the most crossed ever places in the world.
And everyone knows that the Christianity came from Paslestine to Europe, by crossing Anatolia and the Mediterranean.
Even the house of the Virgin Mary is located in Efes,Turkey.
2007-12-25 08:57:32
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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Well, yes, and his name was Saint Temuçin then. Then he grew up to be Cengiz Han.
Jeez! Is that your biggest problem in this age? The origin of Christmas is pagan and originates from pagan traditions of different places. What does it matter if somebody says some saint was born in today's Turkey. I say many things but do they listen?
2007-12-25 20:41:28
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answer #5
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answered by Rob Anybody 2
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Saint Nicholas (Greek: ÎÎ³Î¹Î¿Ï ÎικÏÎ»Î±Î¿Ï , Agios Nikolaos, "victory of the people") is the common name for Nicholas of Myra, a saint and Bishop of Myra in Lycia of Anatolia (modern-day Antalya province, Turkey, though then it was a Greek-speaking Roman Province). He was born during the third century in the village of Patara. He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, but is now commonly identified with Santa Claus. Nicholas was never officially canonised; his legend simply evolved among the faithful, as was the custom in his time. In 1087, his relics were removed to Bari in southern Italy. For this reason, he is also known as Saint Nicholas of Bari.
The historical Saint Nicholas is remembered and revered among Catholic and Orthodox Christians.
There were no Turks in his times in this region !
2007-12-25 08:51:26
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answer #6
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answered by Vaggos.Gr 5
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yes i think he is. but i wasnt sure where he was born,
i think once i heard someone say he was born in izmir or something..
lol i dont know really but i know he is turkish some how.
2007-12-26 10:09:38
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answer #7
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answered by .ooo. 7
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Santa Claus...what santa claus? There's no Santa Claus, sorry to break it to you...
2007-12-26 04:53:58
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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Well I can,t say hes turkish but he has born in Turkey under Roman empire and he,s place is in Turkey ST.nichools
2007-12-25 07:31:05
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answer #9
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answered by Kaankaan 3
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There is no evidence what so ever that Santa is Greek, Turkish, Cypriot in fact theres no evidence that theres a santa.
Maybe he could be real but Santa wasn't born in the Greek or Turkish Cypriot nations he lives in the north pole.
Aww a thumb down I'm only saying the truth
2007-12-25 09:09:05
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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