Happy St Nicholas Day

Saint Nicholas Day, also called the "Feast of Saint Nicholas", observed on December 6 (or on its eve on the 5th of December) in Western Christian countries, and on the 19th of December in Eastern Christian countries using the old church Calendar, is the feast day of Saint Nicholas Of Myra; it falls within the season of Advent. It is celebrated as a Christian festival with particular regard to Saint Nicholas' reputation as a bringer of gifts, as well as through the attendance of church services.

In the European countries of Germany and Poland, boys have traditionally dressed as bishops and begged alms for the poor. In the Portuguese city of Guimarães, the Nicolinas, a series of festivities in honor of Saint Nicholas, happen every year.

In Poland and Ukraine, children wait for St. Nicholas to come and to put a present under their pillows provided that the children were good during the year. Children who behaved badly may expect to find a twig or a piece of coal under their pillows. 

In the Netherlands and Belgium, children put out a shoe filled with hay and a carrot for Saint Nicholas' horse. On Saint Nicholas Day, gifts are tagged with personal humorous rhymes written by the sender. In the United States, one custom associated with Saint Nicholas Day is children leaving their stockings hung up to be filled with mini gifts or leaving their shoes in the foyer on Saint Nicholas Eve in hope that Saint Nicholas will place some coins or candy in them.

The American Santa Claus, as well as the British Father Christmas, derive from Saint Nicholas. "Santa Claus" is itself derived in part from the Dutch Sinterklaas, the saint's name in that language. However, the gift giving associated with these descendant figures has come to be associated with Christmas Day rather than Saint Nicholas Day itself.

Nicholas of Myra, according to Christian tradition, was born in Patar in Asia Minor, or modern-day Turkey. He is said to have made a pilgrimage to Egypt to study theology under the Desert Fathers, after which he was consecrated the Bishop of Myra.

During the Diocletianic Persecution of Christians, Nicholas of Myra was imprisoned. He was released after Emperor Constantine the Great promulgated the Edict of Milan in 313, which allowed for the public practice of Christianity in the Roman Empire.

Nicholas of Myra was known for his generosity through a Christian legend, in which he gave a poor father money in order to prevent his daughters from being taken into slavery, as the father did not have the funds for his daughters' doweries,  It is said that Nicholas of Myra threw the money through the family's window, which landed in their shoes, which were drying near their fireplace.

Nicholas of Myra died on December 6, 346 AD, giving rise to the present Feast of Saint Nicholas. The saint was entombed in St Nicholas Church, Demre, Turkey, though in 1087, Italian soldiers transferred his remains to Italy, where they were enshrined in the Basilica di San Nicola and are held to this day.

Saint Nicholas' tomb is said to exude the Oil of Saint Nicholas, which has attracted, throughout the centuries, Christian pilgrims who take the oil home in small bottles to use during prayer.

Nicholas of Myra is the patron saint of children, sailors, those undergoing financial problems, and victims of fire.

Sadly, in the 1969 General Roman Calendar revision after Vatican II, his feast day became a "memorial," making it optional for celebration, as some historical details were legendary, but he remained a recognized saint, not removed.

Enjoy your St Nicholas Day and perhaps, if you believe hard enough, you may find sugary treats or a candy cane in your shoes! You never know!!