Saint Nicholas of Myra

Bishop and Confessor
(died c. 350)

Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra in Lycia, is one of the most universally beloved saints in both Eastern and Western Christianity, and his name and his charitable spirit have penetrated even the secular culture of the modern world in the figure of Santa Claus, a corruption of the Dutch Sinterklaas. The historical details of his life are almost entirely obscured by legend, and what is historically certain is very little: he was the bishop of Myra in what is now southern Turkey during the fourth century, possibly present at the Council of Nicaea in 325, and venerated as a wonderworker from very shortly after his death.

The most famous of the many legends associated with him tells of three daughters of an impoverished nobleman who faced ruin and dishonour because their father could provide no dowries. Nicholas secretly threw bags of gold through their window on three successive nights, providing for their futures. In some versions the gold thrown into the room landed in stockings hung up to dry, giving rise to the custom of hanging Christmas stockings. This legend of secret generosity toward those in need captures perfectly the spirit of the man who has been venerated for seventeen centuries as the patron of children, of the poor, and of those in need.

His relics were translated in 1087 from Myra to Bari in southern Italy, where the great Basilica of Saint Nicholas still houses them and where pilgrims come from throughout the world to venerate them. A miraculous fluid called manna or myrrh, which exudes from his relics and is reported to have healing properties, has been collected at his shrine for centuries.

He is the patron of children, sailors, merchants, pawnbrokers, and Russia, and his feast is celebrated on December 6th.