Many of us Christians do not realize how Turkey is actually our Holy Land second to Palestine. This country is rich with Christian artifacts and History, and yes, a little unknown fact is that Saint Nicolas is a Turk!
Saint Nicolas was born in Ancient Greece known as Lycia and the city called Myra. Myra is now the Modern Day Turkish city of Demre. There is also a city named Antalya where a monastery was named after him and he did travel and reside there, too. It is not far from Antalya. Demre is now also in the modern Provence of Antalya, and not far from Demre, so it all makes sense that he went all over Antalya.
Now, many many Christians all over the world actually have him as their Saint. Russian, Eastern, Greek Orthodox all highly regard him, and same with Lutheran, Catholic, and Protestant Christians.
He was known for his gift giving and this is why we use him to this day in being Santa Claus, as a tradition he started.
Why do we use him this time of year? Very easily explained. He died on the 6th of December, in the year 343. They had as a tradition a feast for his honor and this is why we use him specifically. He was also canonized on his birthday, so many believe.
What we do know of him was that he was the Patron for those falsely accused, children, and many other people. He was a Bishop and a Presbyter in Antalya and Demre and did in fact perform a miracle that was documented in Antalya's port. There was a ship that came into port during a heavy famine while Saint Nicolas was a Bishop. The Bishop had asked the Saliors to measure the wheat that came in the ship and the sailors grew very annoyed that they would have to measure for the Emperor of Constantinople. Bishop Nicolas told the Sailors while he understood their frustration with the Emperor, if the Sailors where honest in all their business with the Emperor, they would have an abundance of business, and that was a promise. The sailors did as Bishop Nicolas of Myra asked and they were shocked. The wheat on the ship had multiplied and the Sailors were able to give the Emperor much of their shipment, but still had enough for the townspeople and were able to use the over abundance for growing wheat for that following year.
There are many stories of his kindness. Born of very wealthy parents, but they tragically died in an epidemic when he was a boy, he had a kindness to children and poor families with children. He had been known to leave money and small gifts for children in the cities that he was Bishop or passing through, and often at night, so remain anonymous, and create an excitement for children. This tradition is carried on all over the world for little boys and girls on Christmas Eve, the wonderment of Santa Claus coming and leaving toys has been a traditon that started here in Turkey.
In 1073, the Seljuk Turks slowly took over Turkey. We now call this the Ottoman Empire because of one man, the first Sultan named Osman. (Ottoman is Osman in Turkish)
When the Seljuks had a great battle here in Turkey, they took Nicolas' remains to Constantinople, and then for years it was a mystery where it went. Many stories said that they were stolen but years ago, the Turkish government found they were stolen and taken to Italy. They found the remains were confirmed that in fact it was The Saint Nicolas and as of 2005 the Turkish Government asked for the remains to be brought back to Saint Nicolas' birth town, and resting spot, which he intended to be buried as in a letter that he wrote himself as to what he wanted done with his body after he died.
Why do we use this Saint of all Saints for December and Associate this Saint for the Gift Giver in December?
That is easy to explain. He died on the 6th of December of 343. He was 73 years old. Now, there is a feast on this day in honor of him, many Orthodox Christians Celebrate Christmas on this day, much as us Americans Celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December. So, if you think about it, our world actually honors a man that lived almost 2,000 years ago who was Christian and A Turk, and lived his life in gift giving and being honest good and kind and we carry on his traditions in wonderful Christmas time.
Whatever happened to his remains in this Modern day, Saint Nicolas had changed the world, and changed it for the better. I love the fact that Saint Nicolas is from here. Christians all over the world should know that OK, yeah Greece is cool, but Turkey is where the really cool Christianity starts. This is where it all happened once a long time ago. There are artifacts that really surpass anything anywhere in All Things Christian. Think about it, Saint Nicolas, The Apostle Paul, Virgin Mary's final resting place, Constantinople, Anitoch, the list goes on and on!
Below are some really cool pictures of this Saint Nicolas, our Santa Claus, a Turk
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| I took this. It is in Bodrum, at the Bodrum Castle: Saint Nicolas! Interesting how this came about here! I wish I knew the story! |
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| Another picture of me with St Nicolas! I want to go to Antalya! Long Rock wants to take me |
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| Usually St Nicolas is painted with Jesus Christ over his right Shoulder. He was kind to Children, the Falsely Accused, He tried to buy Slaves Freedom, And Women Regarded him as Compassionate. He was also loved by the Sailors and he was kind to them. He liked sailing, It was told |
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| I like this depiction of Saint Nicolas! |
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| I have seen this painting on Cards, Have you? |
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| And the final picture. Another depiction of Saint Nicolas |
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