December 6, 2007

It's the feast day for Saint Nicholas, a bishop of Myra (in Asia Minor — modern-day Turkey) who died in 342 A.D.

He's one of the most popular saints in both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches. But there is scarcely anything historically certain about him except that he was Bishop of Myra in the fourth century.

How did legends about him lead to our version of Santa Claus? It's said he secretly provided dowries to poor brides-to-be and founded the first known homes for the aged. He is a patron of mariners, merchants, bakers, travelers and children. Also of Russia, Greece, and many cities.

Several sites where you can explore more:

St. Nicholas Center — A beautiful site about all things related to Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus

The Catholic perspective on the significance of Saint Nicholas.

Our image of Saint Nicholas as Santa or Father Christmas probably overlaps with much more ancient figures — the Anglo Saxon Father god Woden (for whom Wednesday is named) and the Norse god Odin, who had a special role at Yule. Here's a Candlegrove visitor's perspective on that.

Another historical note: When Columbus reached Haiti on this day in 1492, he named the location after Saint Nicholas.

It's also the third night of Hanukkah

Tips for the day

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