St. Nicholas
...the real Santa Claus
Photo: Chris Clement
St. Nicholas, aka James M. Rosenthal, brings Christmas cheer to New York in December 2007.
T
he true story of Santa Claus begins with
Nicholas, who was born during the third
century in the village of Patara, near Myra
in modern-day Turkey. Nicholas’ wealthy parents,
who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in
an epidemic while he was still a young boy. Obeying Jesus’ words to “sell what you own and give the
money to the poor,” Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was
made Bishop of Myra while still a young man.
Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the
land for his generosity to those in need, his love for
children, and his concern for sailors and ships. St.
Nicholas’ feast day is celebrated on December 6,
the anniversary of his death.
Nicholas’ tomb in Myra became a popular place
of pilgrimage. Following many wars and attacks in
the region, some Christians were concerned that
access to the tomb might become difficult. In the
spring of 1087, sailors succeeded in transporting
the bones to Bari, a seaport on the southeast coast
of Italy.
A church was built over St. Nicholas’ crypt where
many faithful pilgrims journeyed to honor the
saint who had rescued children, prisoners, sailors,
famine victims, and many others through his compassion, generosity, and the countless miracles attributed to his intercession.
The Nicholas shrine in Bari was one of medieval
Europe’s great pilgrimage centers. Nicholas became
known as “Saint in Bari.” To this day pilgrims and
tourists visit Bari’s great Basilica di San Nicola in
the thousands.
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icholas is especially popular in the Netherlands, where he is known as Sint Nicolaas, or Sinterklaas. When the Dutch arrived in America, they brought the tradition with
them. His name became Santa (Saint, Sint) Claus
(Klaas, Nicholas).
“St. Nicholas is the true and real name for the
great gift-giver,” says the Rev. Canon James M.
Rosenthal, president of the U.K.-based St. Nicholas Society.
Each year, Rosenthal, an Episcopal Church missionary, dons the traditional St. Nicholas garb, including beard and miter, and shares some authentic
Christmas cheer with passersby, telling the story of
how St. Nicholas of Myra is the true Santa Claus.
“It is like finding one’s roots, that is the reclaiming
of the St. Nicholas tradition versus Santa Claus,”
says Rosenthal. “Why not be fair and regain the
integrity and purpose of the beloved saint and see
the evangelistic opportunities it brings?”
St. James’ Episcopal Cathedral in Chicago is
hosting a St. Nicholas exhibition through January
5 that includes a collection of art, icons, symbols,
toys, statues and more from all over the world.
Meanwhile, the St. Nicholas Center website includes an interactive online presentation of the life
of St. Nicholas and the customs and traditions associated with the saint.
“Santa Claus is fine, but St Nicholas is so much
better,” says Carol Myers, creator of the St. Nicholas Center, who attends Grace Episcopal Church in
Holland, Michigan. “I am thrilled seeing so many
Episcopal churches celebrating this great saint.”
Further information about St. Nicholas is available at the St. Nicholas Center website, www.st
nicholascenter.org and at www.stnicholassociety.
com.
St. Nicholas is depicted as patron saint of children in this
stained-glass window at St. Nicholas’ Church, Encino,
California. He is also patron of bankers, pawnbrokers,
scholars, orphans, laborers, travelers, merchants, judges,
paupers, maidens, students, sailors, captives, perfumers,
and—oddly enough—thieves and murderers.
Through the centuries St. Nicholas has continued to be venerated by Roman Catholics and
Orthodox and honored by Protestants and Anglicans, says the St. Nicholas Center website. “By his
example of generosity to those in need, especially
children, St. Nicholas continues to be a model for
the compassionate life.”
“There is a little bit of St. Nicholas in each of us,”
says Rosenthal.
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