When and where was St. Nikolaus born?

He was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nikolaus was still young.

Following his Christian values, Nikolaus used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bischof Nikolaus became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

He was persecuted because of his faith and died on December 6 AD 343 in Myra.

Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and deeds. These accounts help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need.

Legends

Stockings and ShoesOne story tells of a poor man with three daughters. In those days

a young woman's father had to offer prospective husbands something of value—a dowry. The larger the dowry, the better the chance that a young woman would find a good husband. Without a dowry, a woman was unlikely to marry. This poor man's daughters, without dowries, were therefore destined to be sold into slavery. Mysteriously, on three different occasions, a bag of gold appeared in their home-providing the needed dowries. The bags of gold, tossed through an open window, are said to have landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas. Sometimes the story is told with gold balls instead of bags of gold. That is why three gold balls, sometimes represented as oranges, are one of the symbols for St. Nicholas. And so St. Nicholas is a gift-giver.

Chapels in SeaportsSeveral stories tell of Nicholas and the sea.

When he was young, Nicholas made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. There as he walked where Jesus walked, he sought to more deeply experience Jesus' life, passion, and resurrection. Returning by sea, a mighty storm threatened to wreck the ship. Nicholas calmly prayed. The terrified sailors were amazed when the wind and waves suddenly calmed, sparing them all. And so St. Nicholas is the patron of sailors and voyagers.

miter

In Roman Catholic areas of southern Germany, such as Bavaria, Sankt Nikolaus still comes as a bishop with flowing beard and a bishop’s miter and staff.

staff

PreparationHouses are thoroughly cleaned and children clean and

polish their shoes or boots in preparation for the saint’s visit.

On the evening before Nikolaustag, children put letters to the good saint along with carrots or other food for his white horse or donkey on a plate or in their shoes. These are left outside, under the bed, beside a radiator, or on a windowsill in hopes of finding goodies from St. Nicholas the next morning.

Children also practice poems and songs for Sankt Nikolaus and make little presents for him. Stories are read and songs are sung as everyone awaits a knock at the door.

During the NightDuring the night Sankt Nikolaus goes from house

to house carrying a book in which all the children's deeds are written. If they have been good, he fills their plate, shoe or boot with delicious fruits, nuts and candies. If not, they may find potatoes, coal, or twigs.

Who travels with St. Nikolaus?White HorseAngelsKrampusDevilRuprechtZwarte PietSchmutzli

KrampusDevil-like figure found

with St. Nicholas in Austria, southern Germany, and some other Eastern European areas.

He is dressed in fur with horns and a long red tongue. He is sometimes in chains to show he is under the saint's control and would not be able to harm people.

Ruprecht / Knecht RuprechtSt. Nicholas' most familiar attendant in Germany. He is

a servant and helper whose face is sooty from going down chimneys leaving children's treats. He carries the sack of presents and a rod for disobedient children. "Just wait until Ruprecht comes" is still a common threat in German homes.

Schmutzli

He is nearly all brown: dressed in brown, with brown hair and beard, and a face darkened with lard and soot. He is St. Nicholas' helper in Switzerland. He carries a switch and sack, but no longer uses them. Children used to be told that Schmutzli would beat naughty children with the switch and carry them off in the sack to gobble them up in the woods. Today there is very little talk of beatings and kidnappings.