Today is Saint Nicolas Day
Nicolas was a 4th century Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). Apparently he had a bit of a temper since it is said that during the Council of Nicea, he slapped Arius in the face. The other bishops kicked him out for that, but Arius forgave him, so they let him back in the next day. Overall however, he seems to have a been a popular and respected leader and community figure known for his generosity and charitable works. One story has him paying (out of the the inheritance left to him by his wealthy parents) for the dowries of three girls who otherwise would not have been able to marry. He was able to drop off the money surreptitiously to two of the girls, but the father of the third was keeping watch outside the house, so he threw the purse down the chimney instead.
In the 11th century, during the confusion over who had control of the region (the Byzantines, the Seljuk Turks or the Islamic invaders), Italian sailors (possibly Normans) stole the saint's relics and took them to Bari, Italy where there is now a church in his honour. He is the patron saint of sailors, fishermen and pawnbrokers.
Through much of Northern Europe, it is St. Nicolas (aka, Sint Nicolaas, aka, Sinterklaas from which the American "Santa Claus" is mangled) who brings gifts to good girls and boys - on his feast day, not Christmas. During the Reformation, Martin Luther, attempting to direct German culture away from a festival that had become associated with the Papacy, encouraged gift-giving at "Christkindle" celebrations on Christmas Eve rather than December 6th. Therefore, most Germans and American/Canadians give gifts on Christmas/Christmas Eve, but in places like Holland, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia they give them on December 6th.
Therefore, if any of you, my loyal readers, wish to maintain older traditions and give me a gift today, I won't say no. I have a wish list on Amazon ;)
In the 11th century, during the confusion over who had control of the region (the Byzantines, the Seljuk Turks or the Islamic invaders), Italian sailors (possibly Normans) stole the saint's relics and took them to Bari, Italy where there is now a church in his honour. He is the patron saint of sailors, fishermen and pawnbrokers.
Through much of Northern Europe, it is St. Nicolas (aka, Sint Nicolaas, aka, Sinterklaas from which the American "Santa Claus" is mangled) who brings gifts to good girls and boys - on his feast day, not Christmas. During the Reformation, Martin Luther, attempting to direct German culture away from a festival that had become associated with the Papacy, encouraged gift-giving at "Christkindle" celebrations on Christmas Eve rather than December 6th. Therefore, most Germans and American/Canadians give gifts on Christmas/Christmas Eve, but in places like Holland, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia they give them on December 6th.
Therefore, if any of you, my loyal readers, wish to maintain older traditions and give me a gift today, I won't say no. I have a wish list on Amazon ;)