Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of just about everything. He is the national
saint of Russia and Greece and churches named after him number in the thousands
- more than 400 in Great Britain alone. He is the patron saint of judges,
murderers, pawnbrokers, thieves, merchants, paupers, scholars, sailors, bakers,
travelers, maidens and poor children. He is known as the friend and protector
of all those in trouble.
Saint Nicholas was born in the Middle East about 350 miles northwest of Bethlehem
in the fourth century. He grew up to become the bishop of Myra (now Kale),
his hometown, Lycia, near the coast of what is now Turkey. Legends tell of
his love for children, his kindness and the miracles he brought about.
The anniversary of Nicholas' death, December 6th, either 345 A.D. or 352
A.D., is so close to Christmas that, in many countries, the two merged. But
in Germany and the Netherlands, the two remain separate. |
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Christmas
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