Jan Steen (1625-1679). St. Nicholas Day

However, during the period of the Reformation, which opposed the veneration of saints, in Germany and neighboring countries, the Holy
Nikolay was replaced as a gift-giving character with the Christ child, and the gift-giving day
was rescheduled from December 6 to the Christmas market period, i.e. to December 24.

Some of the Dutch give gifts to children on December 6, some on Christmas, some on both holidays.

In North America, the Dutch Sintaklaas became Santa Claus (apparently in New York based
the Dutch; first mentioned in 1772), - an image that finally broke away from its historical
church prototype, overgrown with new mythological details and, of course, commercialized.

In the Netherlands and Belgium, Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 5, although it is not considered a national holiday.

Every year all children are waiting for Sintaklaas. He arrives by boat at the end of November from Spain (where he lives in
his palace) accompanied by the Black Petes and Spanish grandees to bring all the gifts by December 5th.

Sintaklaas has many Black Pete assistants who do all the "dirty" work for him. They have a lot
work: it is necessary to bring valuable cargo from Spain safe and sound, pack and deliver gifts to
house for children.

Sintaklaas has a big book that describes all the gifts for all the children, their names and addresses. But Sintaklaas
obeys only parents, so children must send all letters and wishes through them.

The origin of this character is explained by the fact that in the old days in the paintings, the Magi were sometimes depicted in
accompanied by exotic servants. Initially, St. Nicholas had one black servant, and was considered not
a chimney sweep with a smeared face (after all, gifts are delivered through pipes dirty with soot), or a demon,
not just a slave freed by St. Nicholas, who, out of gratitude, decided to accompany the saint to
his travels. Black Pete not only delivers gifts, but is also able to flog with a whip those who are bad
behaved. It is he who carries with him a book in which all the actions of children are recorded - both good and bad.

Krampus is a folklore image. They say that when Krampus finds a naughty child, he sticks it in
into his sack and carries the frightened child into a cave, presumably to be eaten for Christmas dinner.

In older versions of the legends, Krampus kidnaps children and takes them to his creepy castle, and then dumps them into the sea.

Christmas holidays begin in Europe on December 6, Catholics around the world celebrate one of the oldest Catholic holidays, St. Nicholas Day. The celebration of St. Nicholas Day should remind people of the Selfless Gift of Love, the good deeds of St. Nicholas, who is considered the patron saint of travelers and children, the people have legends passed down from generation to generation. They tell how St. Nicholas helped the poor and the destitute, and secretly tossed coins and food into the shoes of the children exposed outside the door. According to one of the legends, St. Nicholas, on one of his sea voyages between Mira and Alexandria, resurrected a sailor who fell off the mast in a storm and crashed to death. Another legend tells how he helped a poor girl to marry her lover, giving her money for a dowry. From historical sources it is known that Bishop Nicholas acted as a defender of three Byzantines unjustly sentenced to death. St. Nicholas After the death of St. Nicholas, people continued his tradition of helping those in need anonymously, and such gifts are still called gifts of St. Nicholas. According to one source, medieval nuns carried food and clothes in baskets to the doors of the poor on the night of December 6th. In the 10th century, in the Cologne Cathedral, on the day of the memory of St. Nicholas, students of the parochial school began to distribute sweets.

In late medieval England, there was a tradition on Saint Nicholas' Day of appointing a "boy bishop" for the period up to Christmas time. As part of the celebration, the boys played the roles of priests and bishops, who could even give orders to elders. On St. Nicholas Day Today, the tradition of widely celebrating St. Nicholas Day as the “Great Giver” is preserved in a number of Western European countries. St. Nicholas Day is primarily a holiday for children.

The old Dutch New Year's Eve tradition of Santa Claus overshadows the Christmas holidays with its scope and brightness. In mid-November, the Dutch Sinterklaas Santa Claus arrives by boat directly from Spain. In one of the small villages in the Netherlands, Monnicandam, the companions of St. Nicholas and himself are met by local authorities, both the mayor and ordinary residents. TV channels are broadcasting live his arrival. With him arrive the "Black Peters" (Zwarte Pieten), black helpers. It is believed that as early as the 13th century, St. Peter's Day was celebrated in the Dutch city of Utrecht. Today, the holiday continues for several weeks: from the moment Santa Claus arrived from Spain until December 5, when he delivers gifts, special newscasts for children are aired with stories about what he and his helpers are doing in the Netherlands. Traditionally, Sinterklaas is pale-faced, thin, smokes a pipe, wears a long cloak - and was previously a noble chimney sweep (Sinterklaas can be translated as Nikolai-sister-in-law - remember that Europeans call Cinderella Cinderella, and everything will become clear). True, now he is drawn and presented in a slightly different way: a tall, rosy-cheeked, good-natured archbishop. As soon as it is known that Santa has arrived, children can put their shoes in front of the fireplace, where they put a note with a list of gifts and a patch of hay for Amerigo's horse, on which Santa Claus rides across the roofs and delivers gifts. The Black Petras climb into houses through the chimney and collect notes and treats for Amerigo, leaving candy and souvenirs to make it easier for the children to wait for the real gifts.

Unlike most European countries, the Dutch Santa Claus brings gifts on the night of December 5, not December 25th. Traditions differ from family to family, where children find gifts for the morning in a bag near the door, Sinterklaas comes to someone personally. In Amsterdam, Sinterkslaas visits the royal palace and the children must report to him for their behavior. On this day, performances are arranged, and children receive tiny gingerbread "pepper notes" as a gift. With the arrival of St. Nicholas, Dutch children try not to be naughty in order to earn the long-awaited gifts that he will leave for obedient and diligent children on the night of December 5-6. Zwarte Pitas are always present at every celebration. They are festively dressed and, as a rule, drag a bag with gifts around Holland after Sinterklaas. Parades with brass bands, songs, dances, practical jokes and jokes are held in Amsterdam; Petes distribute sweets and cookies (pepper notes and tai-tai) on the streets; Sinterklaas visits the Royal Palace. Actually, on this large-scale New Year's holiday in the Netherlands is curtailed. Christmas trees are only until December 25, so you will find them already on the streets in dustbins. The festive mood is slowly leaving Amsterdam: Christmas is modestly celebrated in the family circle, many families limit themselves to going to church and a festive dinner and do not exchange gifts. However, the commercialization of society and holidays and the attempt to "sell" Christmas provokes a discussion in Dutch society about the need to preserve national traditions: culture against commerce.

It is worth noting that Santa Claus competes with himself: the American image came to the New World along with emigrants from Europe. In the Netherlands, they laugh that the American Santa is not talented enough: his gifts do not differ in variety, and his vocabulary is just “ho-ho!”. In addition, Dutch children receive gifts that are originally packaged, with a poem attached to each, which, for example, explains the choice of this particular gift. There are even special organizations in the country for composing speeches and poems for Sinterklaas, which also make sure that he comes to the children on December 5 and no later. According to folk beliefs, on the eve of Christmas, a "wild hunt" spirits rush through the air under the leadership of Wodan. In order to ward off evil spirits participating in wild hunting, in the old days they walked around the house and stall with burning torches or candles, fumigated the dwelling with the smoke of a burning juniper. Until recently, it was customary to blow the Christmas horn (Midwin-terhoorn) to scare away evil spirits. This horn was blown at night during all Christmas time from Christmas Eve to baptism. Once it was made from a curved and hollowed out piece of alder wood 1-1.5 m long, now it is also made of metal. To make the sound stronger, the horn is blown over the well.

Yeshe say that on the holy night, the animals here begin to talk like humans, and the water becomes wine. And not ordinary wine, but good French. And you can also see in some Dutch houses the magic plant "Jericho rose" (which is not a rose at all) or some other evergreen rarity. The evergreen plant is known to be a symbol of rebirth. Traditional Christmas treats are oval-shaped bread with raisins and stuffing (kerststol) and chocolate and cookie bagels that are hung directly on the Christmas tree (kerstkransjes). After Christmas dinner, the Dutch go to the skating rink. In the Netherlands, on the eve of St. Nicholas Day (December 5), Sinterklaas presents children with gifts. A few days before December 5th (starting from the day Saint Nicholas arrives in the Netherlands by boat), small children put their shoes in front of the chimney and sing special songs for the Sinterklaasa. Often they put a carrot or some hay for the horse of St. Nicholas (her name is Amerigo). The next morning, children find small gifts in their shoes: chocolate coins, a package of marmalade, or a small toy. On the night of December 5th, Sinterklaas brings gifts to every child who behaved well last year (in practice, all children). Usually Nikolai leaves a bag with a gift outside the house or living room, after which neighbors or parents drag him inside through a door or window, as if Sinterklaas's helpers. Another version of presenting a gift is to ask someone to dress up as Sinterklaas and present the gift to the child in person.

In Germany, the day before was celebrated the day of St. Nicholas (Nikolaustag), who has long been considered the patron saint of children here. Among German Catholics, an episode from the life of St. Nicholas (in the Orthodox tradition, he is known to be called Nicholas the Wonderworker), which tells of a father of three daughters who fell into poverty, ready to turn them into harlots out of desperation. Saint Nicholas secretly threw him three bundles of gold - as a gift - a dowry for each of the girls. From the middle of the 16th century, this episode from the life of the saint gave rise in the West to the custom of slowly putting gifts on children who, on the eve of December 6, put their shoes out the door or hang red and white bags in the form of a sock or boot so that St. Nicholas "passing by" put sweets and toys there . However, according to tradition, only obedient children should receive them, and pranksters should be punished with rods. Old church statutes say: “Before St. Nicholas Day, mothers keep gifts and rods ready for their children,” In Germany, on the night of December 5-6, children hang out Nikolaus-) shoes or socks that St. Nicholas fills with gifts, assessing whether they behaved the owners are good. If the children were not obedient, then instead of gifts, there may be three branches (roots) in the shoe. In anticipation of the holiday, children try not to be naughty, and no one is left without gifts from St. Nicholas.

In Hungary and Romania, children usually leave their shoes on the windowsill on the night of December 6th. The next morning, Nikolai (Szent Miklos or Mikulas in Hungary, Mos Nicolae or Sfantul Nicolae in Romania) puts candy and souvenirs in them if they were good, or a branch if they misbehaved.

In France, Saint Nicholas Day is actively celebrated in the eastern part of the country. Particularly revered is St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Lorraine, where he is considered a patron saint. Here, in the small town of San Nicolas de Port, there is the Basilica of San Nicolas, which houses the right hand (according to other sources, the finger) of St. Nicholas and other shrines associated with him. St. Nicholas Day, which has been celebrated since the Middle Ages, is the official holiday of the region. On this day in the evening, a festive procession leaves the center of San Nicolas de Port and moves with music and fanfare through the main streets of the city. The procession is led by a venerable old man with a white beard (St. Nicholas), who is accompanied by a ghost with an armful of rods to flog disobedient children. He takes them into his wicker bag. Local residents, having heard the sounds of celebrations from afar, go out to meet St. Nicholas, and the children receive sweets

In Canada and the United States of America, St. Nicks Day is celebrated in traditions similar to those in Germany. On the night of December 6, children leave an empty shoe (or sock) outside and on the morning of December 6, they wake up and rush to check what Saint Nick has put in their empty shoes. Shoes with sweets or souvenirs go to good children, and shoes with coal are bad.

The Man Behind the Story of Father Christmas/Santa Claus St. Nicholas was a Bishop who lived in the fourth century AD in a place called Myra in Asia Minor (now called Turkey). He was a very rich man because his parents died when he was young and left him a lot of money. He was also a very kind man and had a reputation for helping the poor and giving secret gifts to people who needed it. There are several legends about St. Nicholas, although we don't know if any of them are true! The most famous story about St. Nicholas tells how the custom of hanging up stockings to get presents in first started! It goes like this: There was a poor man who had three daughters. He was so poor, he did not have enough money for a dowry, so his daughters couldn't get married. (A dowry is a sum of money paid to the bridegroom by the brides parents on the wedding day. This still happens in some countries, even today.) One night, Nicholas secretly dropped a bag of gold down the chimney and into the house ( This meant that the oldest daughter was then able to be married.). The bag fell into a stocking that had been hung by the fire to dry! This was repeated later with the second daughter. Finally, determined to discover the person who had given him the money, the father secretly hid by the fire every evening until he caught Nicholas dropping in a bag of gold. Nicholas begged the man to not tell anyone what he had done, because he did not want to bring attention to himself. But soon the news got out and when anyone received a secret gift, it was thought that maybe it was from Nicholas.

Because of his kindness Nicholas was made a Saint. St. Nicholas is not only the saint of children but also of sailors! One story tells of him helping some sailors that were caught in a dreadful storm off the coast of Turkey. The storm was raging around them and all the men were terrified that their ship would sink beneath the giant waves. They prayed to St. Nicholas to help them. Suddenly, he was standing on the deck before them. He ordered the sea to be calm, the storm died away, and they were able to sail their ship safely to port. St. Nicholas was exiled from Myra and later put in prison during the persecution by the Emperor Diocletian. No one is really knows when he died, but it was on 6th December in either 345 or 352 AD. In 1807, his bones were stolen from Turkey by some Italian merchant sailors. The bones are now kept in the Church named after him in the Italian port of Bari. On St. Nicholas feast day (6th December), the sailors of Bari still carry his statue from the Cathedral out to sea, so that he can bless the waters and so give them safe voyages throughout the year.Italian You can find out lots about St Nicholas at the St. Nicholas Center.the St. Nicholas Center How St. Nicholas Became Santa Claus

In the 16th Century in Europe, the stories and traditions about St. Nicholas had become very unpopular. But someone had to deliver presents to children at Christmas, so in the UK, he became "Father Christmas", a character from old children's stories; in France, he was then known as "Père Nöel"; in Germany, the " Christ Kind". In the early USA his name was "Kris Kringle". Later, Dutch settlers in the USA took the old stories of St. Nicholas with them and Kris Kringle became "Sinterklaas" or as we now say "Santa Claus"! UKFranceGermanyUSA Many countries, especially ones in Europe, celebrate St. Nicholas" Day on 6th December. In Holland and some other European Countries, children leave clogs or shoes out to be filled with presents. They also believe that if they leave some hay and carrots in their shoes for Sinterklaas's horse, they will be left some sweets.presents St. Nicholas became popular again in the Victorian era when writers, poets and artists rediscovered the old stories. In 1823 the famous poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" or "T" was the Night before Christmas", was published. Dr Clement Clarke Moore later claimed that he had written it for his children. However, some scholars now believe that it was actually written by Henry Livingston, Jr., who was a distant relative of Dr Moore's wife. The poem describes eight reindeer and gives them their names. They became really well known in the song " Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer", written in Do you know all eight names? Click on Rudolph"s nose to find out!

Did you know that Rudolph might actually be a girl!? Only female reindeer keep their antlers throughout winter. By Christmas time most males have discarded their antlers and are saving their energy ready to grow a new pair in the spring. The UK Father Christmas and the American Santa Claus became more and more alike over the years and are now one and the same. Some people say that Santa lives at the North Pole. In Finland, they say that he lives in the north part of their country called Lapland. But everyone agrees that he travels through the sky on a sledge that is pulled by reindeer, that he comes into houses down the chimney at night and places presents for the children in socks or bags by their beds, in front of the family Christmas tree, or by the fire place.

Most children receive their presents on Christmas Eve night or early Christmas morning, but in some countries they get their presents on St. Nicholas" Day, St. Nicholas putting the bag of gold into a stocking is probably where the custom of having a tangerine or satsuma at the bottom of your Christmas stocking came from. If people couldn't afford gold, some golden fruit was a good replacement - and until the last 50 years these were quite unusual fruits and so still special! The biggest Christmas stocking was 51m 35cm (168ft 5.65in) long and 21m 63cm (70ft 11.57in) wide (from the heel to the toe). It was made the volunteer emergency services organization Pubblica Assistenza Carrara e Sezioni (Italy) in Carrara, Tuscany, Italy, on 5th January Just think how many presents you could fit in that!

Santa Claus and Coca-Cola There's a Christmas Urban Legend that says that Santa's red suit was designed by Coca-Cola and that they might even "own" Santa! This is definitely NOT TRUE! Long before coke had been invented, St Nicholas had worn his Bishop's red robes. During Victorian times, he wore a range of colors (red, green, blue and brown fur) but red was always his favorite! In January 1863, the magazine Harper's Weekly published the first illustration of St Nicholas/St Nick by Thomas Nast. In this he was wearing a "Stars and Stripes" outfit! Over the next 20 years Thomas Nast continued to draw Santa every Christmas and his works were very popular indeed (he must have been very good friends with Santa to get such good access!). This is when Santa really started to develop his big tummy and the style of red and white outfit he wears today. Nast designed Santa's look on some historical information about Santa and the poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas".

On January 1st 1881, Harper's Weekly published Nast's most famous image of Santa, complete with a big red belly, an arm full of toys and smoking a pipe! This image of Santa became very popular, with more artists drawing Santa in his red and white costume from 1900 to By 1931, when Coke first used Santa in their advertising, his image was well established. The first "Coke Santa" was drawn by artist Haddon Sundblom. He took the idea of ​​Nast's Santa but made him even more larger than life and jolly, replaced the pipe with a bottle of Coke and created the famous Coke holding Santa! Coca-Cola also agree that the red suit was made popular by Thomas Nast not them!

Saint Nicolas Little Rascal, Put something in my little shoe, A little apple or a little lemon, A little nut to crack , (A small nut to chew on,) That will taste much better. (This will taste better.) Thank you little Saint Nicolas! (Thank you little Saint Nicholas!)

Nicholas, Saint of Children, Loves to spend his wealth On pretty toys for girls and boys Leaving them by stealth. (Gives them furtively.) The wind in the chimney (Wind in the chimney) Hears children call: (Hears children's requests:) Bring me this, Saint Nicholas! (Bring me that, Saint Nicholas!) Bring me that, Saint Nicholas! (Bring me that Saint Nicholas!) A silky scarf, (Silk scarf,) A bag of sweets, (A bag of sweets,) A big gold ball! (Big golden egg!)

Saint Nicholas is not a fictional character. Such a person really existed, and he did a lot for the Christian faith, having risen to the rank of Archbishop of the World of Lycia in Byzantium at that time. His myrrh-streaming relics were stolen from the tomb of the temple in the lower Worlds in Demre (Turkey, Antalya) and transported to Italy in Bari and Venice. Many miraculous deeds are also associated with him, such as the resurrection of a dead sailor, the taming of storms and storms, and others associated with many aspects of human life. Saint Nicholas is the patron of both children and sailors, fishermen, merchants, bankers, agriculture and beekeeping, livestock and wild animals, the pacifier of the warring, the deliverer from vain death and the defender of the innocently condemned.

In folk legends, he is portrayed as the "senior" over the saints, the lord, blessed by God himself to rule not only on earth, but also in heaven. Nikolai was indeed born into a wealthy family. But he completely gave his inheritance to charitable needs. There are also stories that tell of how he gave part of his gold to three beggar girls whose father sent them into harlots so that they could somehow feed themselves. Thanks to the money found one morning under the door of the house, the girls retained their honor and successfully married.

In a word, a person of such magnitude could not pass without a trace for world history and culture, and now in Europe and the Balkans, somewhere in Asia and America, St. Nicholas Day is one of the most anticipated and beloved days, which opens a series of New Year holidays. Catholics celebrate it on December 6, Orthodox on December 19.

In France, St. Nicholas Day is most colorfully celebrated in Lorraine, in the small town of Saint-Nicolas-de-Port, whose patron is just this saint. The festive procession develops into a whole theatrical procession to the fanfare. Nicholas leads the procession. He is followed by a ghost with rods for naughty children and a huge bag into which he throws the most notorious little pranksters and takes them with him.

In Germany, Saint Nicholas Day has been celebrated since 1555. Children hang festive socks over the fireplace, and by morning they are waiting for small gifts and sweets to appear in each of the socks. To do this, of course, one must behave very well, because only good behavior is rewarded.

In the Netherlands, it is believed that St. Nicholas does not come, but sails on a ship a few days before the holiday, and then moves from house to house on horseback named Amerigo. Children put their shoes by the fireplace or at the entrance to the house, sometimes they put hay, carrots or other treats for Amerigo in them. The next morning, instead of hay and vegetables, children find gifts in their shoes.

Nicholas is also the patron saint of the Italian city of Sassiri (Sardinia). On December 6, it is customary in Sassiri to give gifts to young brides as well. This tradition is called Rito delle Nubili. In the Austrian tradition, Saint Nicholas has an evil servant Krampus. Krampus made sure that December 6 brought, in addition to surprises, frosts and cold winds. Severe frosts and evil winter spirits balance the kindness of Nicholas and reward people for the misdeeds that everyone involuntarily committed throughout the year.

In East Slavic countries with a pagan past, St. Nicholas is probably identified with Veles. Consequently, a wide variety of legends about him have been preserved in folklore. At times Soviet Union December 19 was an ordinary day, but gradually the significance of the holiday is being restored.

In Bulgaria this holiday is called Nikulden and is also celebrated by fishermen, merchants and bankers. Nicholas is revered by the Bulgarians as the guardian of the family, home and good. Carp dishes are popular on this day. Carp is considered a sacrificial fish on this holiday. Therefore, Nikulden is also called Fish St. Nicholas.

In Portugal, Nicholas is considered the patron saint of students. Every year from November 29 to December 7, the Nicolinas festival is held in Portugal. In Hungary, Saint Nicholas Day marks the beginning of the Christmas sales. In Albania, it is associated with the beginning of winter and is called the Winter St. Nicholas Day. In Canada and the States, it is called Saint Nick's Day and practically does not differ from the European holiday. Obedient children find gifts in their shoes in the morning, naughty children find coal. St. Nicholas, as a prototype of Santa Claus, is thus a bright outlet for many people around the world.

Holland

In Holland, it is customary to celebrate Santa Claus Day (Santa Claas), which is an analogue of St. Nicholas Day, on December 6th.

The evening of this day turns into a real quest, when family members search for gifts throughout the house. And then everyone gathers in one room to unwrap the presents one by one.

The Dutch believe that Santa Claas comes from Spain by sea. And from house to house he moves on a horse named Amerigo. Children put hay and carrots in their shoes for the animal at night. And in return, in the morning they find gifts there.

According to another tradition, it is believed that Santa Claas is accompanied by several helpers who supposedly hide gifts in different parts of the house. To do this, they quietly crawl into the dwelling through the chimney.

France

French in winter period traditionally expect the arrival of Pierre Noel. He, according to legend, arrives on a donkey, and then crawls into the house through the chimney. In different regions of France, his arrival is expected on different dates: from December 19 to January 1.

The most colorful celebration of St. Nicholas Day is in Lorraine, in the small town of San Nicolas de Port, whose patron saint is St. Nicholas. There they arrange a festive procession, led by St. Nicholas. Behind him is a man threatening naughty children with rods. And for those who behaved well, he distributes gifts.

Germany

Germans have been celebrating Saint Nicholas Day since 1555. Children prudently hang socks over the fireplace, because they know that in the morning sweets will appear in them.

It is believed that Nicholas comes only to obedient children.

AT England gifts are also delivered by Santa Claus, but this happens at Christmas.

Italy

Italian Santa Claus Babbo Natale goes from house to house delivering gifts. First of all, he gives gifts to children: toys, books, sweets. Adults, on the other hand, present things to each other that help create coziness in the house. In the Italian city of Sassiri, this day is considered the holiday of brides - Rito delle Nubili. Residents of this city pay special attention to young girls, give gifts for the upcoming happy marriage.

Ukraine

In Ukraine, Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 19th. On this day in the morning, children look for sweets under their pillows. And they find if they have been obedient all year. Also on St. Nicholas Day, it is customary to congratulate people who are named after this saint.

In the west of the country, family members give each other various gifts on this day, and not on New Year's Eve.

I love winter holidays! And not only New Year and Christmas - so bright and adored by everyone. With no less interest every year I look forward to the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, and continuebelieve in miracles, because St. Nicholas generously endows them not only with children, but also with adults.

With St. Nicholas a bright road

I love this holiday because St. Nicholas has long been the patron saint of travelers, and I love to travel. Therefore, when I had the opportunity to go to Turkey, I visited with great interest those places where St. Nicholas was born and ruled all his life. After all, he was not a fairy-tale character, as we used to think, but a very real person. About the trip to the church of St. Nicholas in Demre ( former Mira in Lycia) I wrote . Read it, it's very interesting!

And I also love this holiday because I am Nikolaevna, and on this day a lot of good wishes to my address. 🙂

Once, for some reason, I thought that the holiday was more Slavic. After all, he is so revered in our region and throughout the Orthodox world. She believed that the tradition of giving gifts to children before Christmas was also primordially Slavic.

But no, it turns out that such a tradition came to us from Germany, where in the 10th century for the first time in the Cologne Cathedral sweets were distributed to the students of the parish school.

Every year the tradition expanded and passed into all the houses of the Germans, and then throughout Europe. Before the holiday itself, residents began to hang out stockings and socks, put shoes in front of the fireplace in order to receive gifts from the Wonderworker. Judging by the legend, it was in the stockings that were drying by the fireplace that three sisters found bags of gold, which St. Nicholas presented.

And it was like that. There were three sisters. The time came for marriage, but because of poverty, no one was in a hurry to marry them. The frustrated father was about to sell his daughters for fornication. Nicholas the Wonderworker found out about this and decided to help the girls by throwing them bags of gold on Christmas Eve.

Stockings-socks - a container for the golden bags of St. Nicholas

But not only did St. Nicholas give money to the poor, he imperceptibly gave them warm clothes and medicines, saved the slandered from an unfair trial and execution, took care of orphans, gave toys and goodies to children. His spiritual kindness and timely help were highly appreciated by people, and Nicholas became their favorite saint. And to this day, many ask him for protection in difficult times.

Sailors and fishermen consider him their patron, as he has repeatedly saved them from the abyss of the sea.

Patron saint of fishermen and sailors

Many travelers say a prayer before setting out on their journey and ask Saint Nicholas to protect them along the way. It sounds like this: “My angel, be ahead! Nikolai Ugodnik - light the way!

Before long journeys, even well-known expeditions go to the church to St. Nicholas for a blessing. Expeditions of climbers are frequent visitors to the temple, especially before climbing impregnable peaks, as well as sailors before long-distance cruises.

The prototype of Santa Claus

From Saint Nicholas to Santa Claus

Saint Nicholas is the prototype of the well-known Santa Claus. I was convinced of this myself when I visited Demre, the birthplace of St. Nicholas. There is a monument near his church, where it is written that he is Santa Claus.

It was on behalf of the Wonderworker throughout Europe that gifts were given to children on the day of his veneration. In Holland, to this day, Sinterklaas, a majestic old man in the red vestments of a bishop, gives gifts. This is still the same St. Nicholas, who, with the light hand of the Dutch settlers, turned into Santa Claus among the peoples of North America.

The image of the Nativity of St. Nicholas closely merged with the image of a real person who was born in the third century in the city of Patara in Lycia (now Turkey, Antalya region) in a family of respectable people. His parents named him Nicholas and raised their son in piety. He grew up to be a kind and fair person. He studied ecclesiastical affairs in Xanth, then became the bishop of Mira, where he preached until the last days of his life (343).

He could not look indifferently at suffering and destitute people and always tried to help them. He stood up for the innocent and the homeless, sharing his money and kindness.

According to legend, Nicholas loved to travel the world. His main journey was a visit to Jerusalem. Rising to Calvary, he thanked the Almighty with prayers for the path he had traveled, and then bowed to all the holy places of the Promised Land.

One night in Palestine, he had an irresistible desire to pray in the temple, but at that time the temple was locked up. Coming closer, Nikolai was surprised that the doors in front of him opened themselves. Returning to Lycia, Nicholas decided to leave the hustle and bustle of the world in the Zion monastery. But God prepared for him a different path, along which Nicholas had to go, doing good and glorifying the name of God.

Nikolai Ugodnik lived to a ripe old age, leaving a good memory among people. The Church canonized him, and people still mention him in their prayers, thank him for his protection from evil, and for his help in all good deeds. And since he has many good deeds, the feast of St. Nicholas is celebrated twice a year. Christians have December 19 and May 22.

There is also a legend about this:

Once God called the saints - Kasyan and Nikolai - to his feast. They dressed up and hurried on their way. And since it was a mudslide, they soon saw a cart stuck in the middle of the road. The peasant suffered for a long time, trying to pull the cart, but nothing. So he asked passers-by to help him. Kasyan refused immediately, and Nikolai, rolling up his sleeves, pulled out a cart.

The saints came and appeared before God - Kasyan is all clean and smart, and Nikolai has a whole festive scroll in the mud. God asks - why did it happen? Travelers had to tell the story of their journey. God got angry with Kasyan and said that now people would mention him once every four years (on a leap year), and celebrate St. Nicholas twice a year - in winter and spring.

We especially love this holiday in winter. Usually on this day, Christmas trees light up their lights. And with what impatience the children are waiting for this holiday! In European countries, on December 6, they look into shoes and stockings in front of the fireplace, looking for their gifts there.

And our children look under the pillow on the night of December 18-19, and look for “Nikolaichi” there.

nikolaychik kids

Even naughty people try to behave well before the holiday, so as not to receive a rod as a gift.

Have you already prepared “Nikolaychiki” for your kids?