#Nicholas of Myra

[davereed]

The real St. Nick

[principiumindividuationis777]

Facts about Christmas

Although Jesus of Nazareth is unquestionably a historical figure, there is no clear historical record of the date or even the year of His birth. The tradition that he was born on December 25, accurate or not, appears to have been part of two competing holidays within the Roman Empire, at the time persecuting Christians: Christmas and a winter veneration of Sol Invictus, the pagan Roman sun god.

Santa Claus is also a historical figure, in a way. St. Nicholas of Myra (c. 270 AD- c. 343 AD), who lived in what is now Turkey, and who was later canonized, was in the habit of giving gifts by stealth, no doubt heeding Jesus's warning that boasting of charity would take away one's reward in Heaven.

His gifts were not, however, primarily to very young children. Most notably, at the time, women had few employment options outside the home, in part because most work was rough, physical and relied very much on upper body strength. Thus, parents of daughters were expected to provide a dowry to jump start future married couples financially, and if the parents lacked the means, their daughters were likely to end up in the world's oldest profession.

Nicholas of Myra was in the habit of anonymously sending the dowry money.

The stories of "Santa Claus" (a linguistic corruption of "Saint Nicholas"), also called Sinterklaas and Father Christmas, flying through the air, were a combination of Christianity and Germanic paganism, as the bearded, wise Odin, believed by Germanic/Norse pagans to be a god, could fly, among other supernatural powers, and was combined with Saint Nicholas.

The Christmas tree likewise has roots in Germanic paganism. From Ireland all the way to the lands of the Slavs, pagans traditionally venerated trees as symbols of gods, most often oak trees.

It was not uncommon for very early Christian missionaries to attempt to prove the old gods to be false or weak by cutting down an oak tree in front of the pagans (who, in the case of Germanic pagans, expected Thor, the god of thunder, to take vengeance), and if they did so without consequences from the old gods, the pagans were likely to convert, concluding that Christ must be more powerful than Thor et alia, hence the Tannenbaum.

[cruger2984]

THE DESCRIPTION OF SAINT NICHOLAS The Bishop Known as Santa Claus Feast Day: December 6

"The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic God’s giving by grace through faith, and this is not for ourselves."

If you believe in Santa when you are a kid a long time ago, you believe in Santa. But this bishop loves to give cheer to the kids and puts names onto the Nice List, we are talking about Nicholas of Myra, aka Nicholas the Wonderworker. Nicholas is considered primarily as the patron saint of children, Nicholas is also invoked by sailors, merchants, bakers, travelers and pawnbrokers, and with Saint Andrew is honored as the co-patron of Russia.

Nicholas was traditionally born on March 15, 270 AD in Patara, Roman Empire (modern-day Gelemiş, Kaş, Antalya, Turkey) to a weathy family of Greek Christians. His parents were named Epiphanius and Johanna, but, according to others, they were named Theophanes and Nonna. Nicholas's uncle was the bishop of the city of Myra, also in Lycia. Recognizing his nephew's calling, Nicholas's uncle ordained him as a priest. After visiting the Holy Land, Nicholas returned to Myra. The bishop of Myra, who had succeeded Nicholas's uncle, had recently died, and the priests in the city had decided that the first priest to enter the church that morning would be made bishop. He went to the church to pray and was therefore proclaimed the new bishop. He is said to have been imprisoned and tortured during the Great Persecution under the Emperor Diocletian, but was released under the orders of the Emperor Constantine the Great.

One of the earliest attested stories of Saint Nicholas is one in which he saves three innocent men from execution. According to Michael the Archimandrite, three innocent men were condemned to death by the governor Eustathius. As they were about to be executed, Nicholas appeared, pushed the executioner's sword to the ground, released them from their chains, and angrily chastised a juror who had accepted a bribe. Michael tells another story in which the consul Ablabius accepted a bribe to put three famous generals to death, in spite of their actual innocence. Nicholas appeared to Constantine and Ablabius in dreams, informing Constantine of the truth and frightening Ablabius into releasing the generals, for fear of Hell.

Nicholas is said to have attended the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, where he is said to have been a staunch opponent of Arianism and devoted supporter of Trinitarianism, and one of the bishops who signed the Nicene Creed. His attendance at the Council of Nicaea is attested early by Theodore the Lector's list of attendees, which records him as the 151st attendee. However, he is conspicuously never mentioned by Athanasius of Alexandria, the foremost defender of Trinitarianism at the council, who knew all the notable bishops of the period, nor is he mentioned by the historian Eusebius, who was also present at the council. A later legend, first attested in the fourteenth century, over 1,000 years after Nicholas's death, holds that, during the Council of Nicaea, Nicholas lost his temper and slapped 'a certain Arian' across the face. On account of this, Constantine revoked Nicholas's miter and pallium. 

Later versions of the legend embellish it, making the heretic Arius himself and having Nicholas punch him rather than merely slapping him with his open hand. In these versions of the story, Nicholas is also imprisoned, but Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary appear to him in his cell. He tells them he is imprisoned 'for loving you' and they free him from his chains and restore his vestments.

There were other reputed miracles associated with him, but there is one. Unable to support his three daughters, who could not find husbands because of their poverty, he was determined to give them over to prostitution. Then Nicholas, under the cover of darkness, took a bag of gold and threw it at the open window of their house. Here was a dowry for the eldest girl, who was soon duly married. At intervals, Nicholas did the same second and the third daughter. At the last time, the father, who was on the watch, recognized his benefactor and overwhelmed him with gratitude.

Traditionally, Nicholas departed from the world on December 6, 343 AD in Myra, Roman Empire (modern-day Demre, Antalya, Turkey) at the age of 73. Ultimately, his kindness and generosity became known worldwide. His body was buried in the cathedral at Myra. It remained there until 1087, when seamen of Bari, an Italian coastal town, seized the relics of the saint and transferred them to their own city. Veneration for Nicholas had already spread throughout Europe as well as Asia, but this occurrence led to a renewal of devotion in the West. Countless miracles were attributed to the saint's intercession. His relics are still preserved in the church of San Nicola in Bari; an oily substance, known as Manna di S. Nicola, which is highly valued for its medicinal powers, is said to flow from them.

In the 19th Century, some Dutch Protestants contracted his name into 'Santa Claus', and made him the jolly and popular bringer of Christmas gifts. His red suit trimmed with white fur originated in the bishop's miter and cape. His association with reindeer from the North Pole, and the climbing down of chimneys to leave presents under the Christmas tree, were popularized by some Americans writers. Santa Claus symbolizes the true meaning of Christmas, that of love and generosity for all the poor of the world. Many countries and locations honor St. Nicholas as patron: Greece, Russia, the Kingdom of Naples, Sicily, Lorraine, and many cities in Italy, Germany, Austria, and Belgium.

[larisastitch]

Saint Nicholas Icon Cross Stitch Pattern | Christian Icon

✝ Specification of this cross-stitch pattern for different types of fabric. ✔ Fabric: 16 count Aida. ✔ Colors: 26. Palette: DMC. ✔ Size: 127 x 160 stitches.

✝ Finished size will vary depending on the count fabric/canvas you choose. ✔ 14 count ⇒ Size: 9.07 x 11.43 inches | 23.04 x 29.03 cm ✔ 16 count ⇒ Size: 7.94 x 10.00 inches | 20.16 x 25.40 cm ✔ 18 count ⇒ Size: 7.06 x 8.89 inches | 17.93 x 22.58 cm

✝ Prepare to embark on a magnificent and captivating stitching journey with my awe-inspiring “Saint Nicholas Icon Cross Stitch Pattern | Christian Icon.” This extraordinary design beautifully portrays Saint Nicholas of Myra, also known as Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, in all his divine splendor. Witness the grace and majesty of Saint Nicholas as he holds the Gospel in his left hand, symbolizing his unwavering commitment to spreading the teachings of Christianity. With his right hand raised in a gesture of blessing, he bestows his divine grace upon all who seek his intercession.

✝ Source: Saint Nicholas Icon Cross Stitch Pattern

[davereed]

Reblog every Christmas!

[secretmellowblog]

I've said this before but the funny thing about the Cosette adoption chapters is that, from Cosette's perspective, she literally just got adopted by Santa Claus. Valjean is a mysterious kind semi-magical white-haired figure who arrives on Christmas eve to give Cosette her dream gifts, and then drops a coin in her shoe as is a Christmas tradition! And then he gives Cosette the best Christmas gift of taking her away to the North Pole Paris. Even outside of the Cosette stuff, all the parallels between Valjean and the historical Saint Nicholas of Myra are really funny...The fact that he breaks into people's houses to secretly give them money, for example, is a very St Nick Thing(tm). He also makes toys out of straw for children in M-Sur-M! But the interesting thing is that the historical St Nicholas was, among other things, the patron saint of repented thieves and children. He was known for saving people from poverty, execution, and unjust prison sentences, which are thematically relevant. But yeah. Good on Cosette for getting swept away by Convict Santa. Sadly i don't think the sleigh and reindeer were part of the legend yet and that's super sad, bc they couldve helped against Javert later u_u

[slavicafire]

December. Vintage postcard with the artwork by Piotr Stachiewicz, circa 1910.

[damedianariggalbumphoto]

[catholic-saint-tournament]

About St Barbara

About St Nicholas

PRE-SCHISM SAINTS ROUND 1 WINNERS/ROUND 2 BRACKET

[stairnaheireann]

#OTD in 1798 – United Irishmen Rebellion | Battle of Carlow begins; executions of suspected rebels at Carnew and at Dunlavin Green take place.

The Rebellion continues with a number of bloody skirmishes throughout the country involving ill-trained, enthusiastic rebels fighting professional English soldiers. The Battle of Carlow sees an estimated 600 Irish rebels killed with only nominal English casualties. Twenty-eight prisoners are executed by the local garrison in the British army barracks base of Carnew Castle, Co Wicklow and…

[thepastisalreadywritten]

SAINT OF THE DAY (December 6)

On December 6, the faithful commemorate a bishop in the early church who was known for generosity and love of children.

Born around the late third or fourth century in Lycia, Asia Minor, St. Nicholas of Myra is more than just the inspiration for the modern day Santa.

As a young man, he is said to have made a pilgrimage to Palestine and Egypt in order to study in the school of the Desert Fathers.

On returning some years later, he was almost immediately ordained Bishop of Myra, which is now Demre, on the coast of modern day Turkey.

The bishop was imprisoned during the Diocletian persecution. He was only released when Constantine the Great came to power and made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.

One of the most famous stories of the generosity of St. Nicholas says that he threw bags of gold through an open window in the house of a poor man to serve as dowry for the man’s daughters, who otherwise would have been forced into prostitution.

The gold is said to have landed in the family’s shoes, which were drying near the fire.

This is why children leave their shoes out by the door, or hang their stockings by the fireplace, in the hopes of receiving a gift on the eve of his feast.

St. Nicholas is associated with Christmas because of the tradition that he had with the custom of giving secret gifts to children.

It is also conjectured that the saint, who was known to wear red robes and have a long white beard, was culturally converted into the large man with a reindeer-drawn sled full of toys because in German, his name is “San Nikolaus,” which almost sounds like “Santa Claus.”

In the East, he is known as St. Nicholas of Myra for the town in which he was bishop.

But in the West, he is called St. Nicholas of Bari because, during the Muslim conquest of Turkey in 1087, his relics were taken to Bari by the Italians.

St Nicholas is the patron of children and sailors.

His intercession is sought by the shipwrecked, by those in difficult economic circumstances, and for those affected by fires.

He died on 6 December 346.

[graysoniconography]

Saint Nicholas of Myra

My patron and one of my favorite saints. Icon by me.

[principiumindividuationis777]

[whereishermes]

The story of Santa Claus | St. Nicholas

The story of Santa Claus begins with a man named Nicholas, who was born in the village of Patara in Asia Minor during the third century. The area was Greek at the time, but now it is on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents raised Nicholas to be a devout Christian, but they died in an epidemic while he was still young. Following Jesus’ words to “sell what you own and give the money to…

[dougielombax]

I read up about Saint Nicholas of Myra.

The origin of Santa Claus.

Interesting stuff.

Obviously there’s a bit more to it than him.

Hence why I said the origin.

Obviously…